Student Life and Alumni Relations (i) Student Participation in Governance Baptist University attaches great emphasis on the opinions and interests of students. With the acquiring of university status, the Institution is encouraging more student participation in its governing structure and has proposed that the Student Union President serves as an ex-officio member of the Council, while the Senate has one undergraduate student elected from each Faculty/School and one postgraduate student elected by postgraduate students as members. Student representation on the Court has been proposed. These, together with the students' existing participation in other institution-wide committees, give students ample channels to properly reflect their opinions and interest at all levels of operation. These committees include the Academic Regulations and Review Committee, the Admissions Committee, the Christian Activities Committee, the Library Committee, the Student Affairs Committee, the Food Services Sub-committee, the Sports Centre Management Committee, the Sports and Athletics Sub-committee, the Student Amenities Sub- committee, and the Student Health Services User group. (ii) Campus Life Many student-oriented activities that appeal to the varied academic and social interests of students are available. In addition to the Student Union, there are presently about 60 academic societies and active interest groups open to all students, i.e., the AIESEC (International Association of Students in Economics and Management), which provides students with many opportunities for interaction with the global student community; the Harmonists, which actively involves itself in promoting environmental protection issues; the Current Affairs Association; the Debate Team and the Dramatics Club. Public lectures, exhibitions, art and music appreciation, drama performance, athletic activities and special interest groups all contribute to the objectives of a broadly-based liberal arts education. Various programmes have also been specially designed for students to enrich their campus life: - General Education Assembly - to help students develop critical understanding of the cultural heritage, social value and the philosophical themes of contemporary civilisation. The programmes cover four major areas: student development, Christian perspective, social concern and community building. - Leadership Development Programme (LDP) - a well-planned one- year leadership training programme for 24 first-year students to develop their leadership potentials to face the challenges of tomorrow. - Free Speech Board - to encourage free speech on campus. - Orientation - a major function of the academic societies and interest clubs to welcome new students and to familiarise them with the Institution. - Academic Weeks - organised by academic societies and interest clubs with an academic theme and presented in the form of talks and seminars, film shows, book exhibitions and board displays. (iii) Community Service Students are encouraged to take part in community service. One of the more prominent campaigns which attracted territory-wide participation was the fund-raising programme held by the LDP trainees for the Release and Poverty Alleviation Action Campaign in China. Other community service programmes include fund-raising for ORBIS, visits to orphanages and other charity organisations, and the launching of joint projects on social issues such as anti- corruption. (iv) Study Tour Overseas study tours are organised by the Institution, the individual Faculty/School, as well as academic societies/associations to broaden the studentsŐ scope especially on their respective specialty. (v) Computer Search Service A menu-driven Computer Search Service on the University VAX system facilitates the search of student activities and employment opportunities. The Service also provides a directory on all student bodies and University departments/offices for new students. (vi) Counselling Services Individual and group counselling are offered by professional psychological counsellors on a wide spectrum of issues: academic, intellectual, emotional, social, physiological, spiritual, vocational and developmental. Psychological testing on personality and aptitude are administered by qualified professionals for interested students. (vii) Career & Placement Services This serves as a liaison between students and employers for full- time, temporary, part-time, and summer placement. Career exhibitions (private and civil service) are organised annually to educate students on various career tracks, opportunities and prospects of different vocational fields. Workshops, and career as well as recruitment talks are offered frequently and tailored specially for the needs of the students. (viii) Music Activities The University provides interested students with training in group singing and music appreciation. University-wide music activities are designed to cultivate musical interest of the University community through laservision mini-concerts, hi-fi concerts and other concerts presented by international and local professional musicians and groups. The Choral Ensemble, open for student membership, includes the Baptist University Choir, the Girls' Choir, the Chamber Choir and the Christian Choir. These groups have presented numerous programmes on radio and television, in civic organisations, and in schools and churches. (ix) Sports The Institution is a member of the Hong Kong Post-Secondary College Athletic Association. It maintains an intercollegiate programme of athletics, badminton, basketball, cross country, football, handball, swimming, tennis, table-tennis, and volleyball. A comprehensive intra-mural programme is also offered to all students. (x) Scholarship and Financial Assistance for Students In 1993-94, more than HK$63.7 million financial aid to students was provided through government loans and grants, scholarships, bursaries, special awards and emergency grants. With the exception of HK$1.3 million scholarship monies, the remaining assistance was provided on the basis of financial need. Government grants and loans are the dominant source of financial aid. (xi) Alumni Relations and Fundraising To strengthen links with and to solicit support from its alumni, and to build up a worldwide network of Baptist University alumni, the Institution set up an Alumni Affairs Office in July 1991 to design, maintain and update the alumni data base. In serving as the focal point of contact between the University and the alumni, the Office plans and co-ordinates the annual homecoming event and the alumni reunion programmes. It also helps raise funds among alumni for the University. .