Important Changes & Updates
Membership Fee Increase
Beginning September 1, 2016, the standard Beta Gamma Sigma induction fee will increase from $65 USD (plus $2 shipping) to a flat $75 USD, for newly inducted members. The last BGS induction fee increase occurred almost 10 years ago in 2007 and due to the rising costs of goods and services, the Board of Governors feels this change is necessary. We have always prided ourselves on the fact that the induction fee is for lifetime membership, so this is a one-time induction fee.
All students who accept membership on and after September 1, 2016 will be charged our standard fee of $75 USD. Any student who accepts BGS membership prior to September 1 will be charged the standard fee of $65 USD (plus $2 shipping) unless otherwise specified in our Chapter Management System (CMS). We will continue to charge Masters Second Recognition students $10 USD for their membership. The membership fees for Doctoral and Doctoral Second Recognition students will continue to be waived ($0 USD). You are still able to add an additional fee amount to our standard fee should your chapter decide to do so. If your chapter subsidizes a portion or covers the full cost of BGS membership for your students, we will invoice your chapter for $75 USD per member beginning September 1. If you need assistance adjusting your fee amounts, please reach out to your chapter manager.
Certificate Batch Order Changes
As of August 1, 2016, the BGS Global Headquarters is now sending certificate batch orders following the below schedule. We have moved from two (2) first certificate batch order shipments to one (1) first certificate batch order shipment. We have not made any changes to the after order shipment schedule. The CMS will continue to generate the after orders every 14 days following your ceremony date.
In addition to the new schedule, our third party vendor, Award Concepts Inc., has taken over all certificate batch order shipments. Should you have any issues with your shipment or questions regarding a shipment, please reach out to them at 1-800-659-7801 and ask for the Beta Gamma Sigma (or BGS) team.
Certificate Batch Order Schedule
Chapter Location
Number of days prior to ceremony that order will generate
US-Midwest
11
US-Eastern Seaboard & Southwest
13
US-West Coast
15
Canada
16
Europe
16
Asia
16
South America
18
*If you are unsure of which location your chapter falls under, please contact your Chapter Manager.
BGS Gives Back Program Changes
As BGS continuously evolves into a more comprehensive society, values such as service are becoming increasingly important to the Society’s future. Our renewed mission statement and list of values touch upon the concept of not only recognizing honor, wisdom, and earnestness, but also leadership and service. This year, BGS is expanding the program from a single day to the entire academic year. As a result, BGS Gives Back will take place in 16-17 at a campus near you from August through June. So get ready for bigger and better service leadership opportunities! More details and information will be coming soon, so keep an eye on our Gives Back page.
New Dean of the Year Award
As you well know, Beta Gamma Sigma is dedicated to inducting and honoring the very best in business including deans, faculty, and students. Naturally then, we wanted to provide chapters with a way to recognize your deans who have committed themselves to continuing this legacy of honor. In 2016, we unveiled the Dean of the Year Award. This new recognition is awarded to one outstanding dean who made significant contributions to the success of his or her chapter while supporting the BGS mission throughout the academic year. The Dean of the Year Award celebrates Deans who have helped shape their chapters through the following actions:
- Dean took an active leadership role in moving the chapter towards BGS 2.0.
- Dean encouraged and honored academic achievements by chapter members.
- Dean developed Beta Gamma Sigma members as student and professional leaders.
- Dean commemorated leadership and excellence.
Chapters that earn Highest Honors, based on the Collegiate Chapter Honor Roll, are eligible to submit their nominations for this award. The dean who earns this award is recognized at the Deans’ Luncheon at AACSB’s International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM), receives a plaque, and is listed in our annual Recognition of Excellence book. If your chapter earned Highest Honors for 15-16, submit your application to nominate your dean today!
New 30-Minute BGS Basics Refreshers Webinar Series
We have heard from several chapter contacts that it would be helpful to have more guidance on things that can be done to promote and increase the visibility of your chapter. Well, you asked and we listened! We will now be hosting a BGS Basics Refresher Series. The series will consist of brief webinars on various topics that are fundamental for your chapter and its growth. These webinars will be hosted several times in both the fall and the spring, and will be recorded and posted on our website for viewing at a later time.
Our first webinar will cover the process of identifying, electing/selecting, and engaging Student Officers. The session will take place on Wednesday, September 28 at 2PM Central Time. Please CLICK HERE to register for this webinar. We understand your schedule may be a bit hectic at the beginning of the academic year, but we hope you will make time to join the call or view the recording at your convenience.
Collegiate Chapter Honor Roll Changes
In light of several Society changes, we have made the following updates to the Honor Roll for 16-17:
- BGS Gives Back is no longer restricted to a particular day. Your chapter is able to earn 10 points for having a service event at any point throughout the academic year. In order to receive Honor Roll points, your chapter must complete the online form.
- Our Meet the Leaders of Business program has been discontinued in its current form. We are no longer awarding 5 points for nominating a speaker for this event.
- For our new Dean of the Year award, chapters will get 5 points for submitting a nomination. The winner of the award will receive an additional 5 points for their chapter.
James A. Viehland Scholarship Criteria Change
In the past, the James. A. Viehland Scholarship was available solely for two Student Officers, in either US or OUS chapters, to attend the GLS. This year, the James A. Viehland Scholarship is only available for two Collegiate Chapter Members attending institutions outside of the United States to attend the GLS. You can reference our scholarships page for more information on how your students can apply. Please ensure your students check the requirements for each scholarship prior to submitting their application.
Please make note of these changes as you begin planning your activities and events for the academic year.