FAQ
General Questions
How does BAY work?
BAY is a professional organization. BAY at CSUN is just one chapter in an international organization. BAY has hundreds of local chapters at colleges and universities worldwide and one international chapter that consists of the faculty advisors of all the local chapters. The international chapter elects a board of directors that runs the greater organization.
The local chapter of BAY at CSUN is number 137, the Epsilon Chi chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. It has by-laws that specify stringent requirements for joining the chapter of BAY at CSUN. For example, although the international by-laws allow finance and information science majors to join BAY, the local chapter only accepts accounting majors. The local chapter elects an executive committee that helps it to fulfill the program of chapter activities (PCA) set by the international board.
Becoming A Candidate
How do I join BAY?
1) Must be enrolled in Accounting 350 or above.
2) Applications are accepted during the first 3 weeks of the Fall and Spring semester.
3) GPA requirements:
- Enrolled in ACCT 350: Acct GPA of at least a 3.50 and overall GPA of at least 3.50 or a 3.50 in the most recent 30 units completed
- Enrolled in ACCT 351 or above: Acct GPA of at least a 3.30,Upper Div. Acct GPA of at least a 3.00, and overall GPA of at least a 3.30 or a 3.50 in the most recent 30 units completed
- For transferred Students: If your accounting class is worth 5 units, calculate your GPA as if it was only three units.
3) Third, you have to fill out an application. You can print an application from BAY’s web site (www.csunbap.org). Give your completed application to our faculty advisors, Prof. Michael Doron and Dr. Sung Wook Yoon, or fill out our online application. They will review your records to make sure you qualify. If you do, your name will be added to the list of candidates.
4) Fourth, you must pay your initiation due of $100 your first semester and $30 each semester after that.
What’s next after I apply?
First, you need to learn more about the local chapter. The local by-laws define three classes of student membership: candidates, initiates, and members. Candidates who complete their candidate project and maintain their GPA become members when they have completed Accounting 352. If they have not completed Accounting 352, they are called initiates. Only full members may vote in elections and other chapter matters.
The executive committee runs the day-to-day affairs of BAY at CSUN. This includes setting the local PCA. The committee consists of six officers: the chapter President, the Vice President of Activities, the Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Operations, the Treasurer, the Controller, the Reporting Secretary, and the Recording Secretary. The by-laws lists the duties of each officer. Officer elections are held each semester.
The Executive Committee appoints directors to handle nearly every aspect of BAY business. There are directors of tours, tutoring, special events, technical briefings, community service, and social events, to name a few. Directorships are created on an ad hoc (as needed) basis and can be filled by any number of people at the same time. Any initiate or member can be a director, and any candidate for office should have previously served as a director.
Is BAY a lot of work?
Yes! That’s why belonging to BAY is so prestigious. BAY is worth every hour you invest.
You now know everything you need to know to join BAY. Start earning those points today!
Do I have to be actively involved?
The international chapter requires a certain amount of activity from every chapter and from every member. These requirements constitute the PCA. Each chapter has to sponsor a certain number of professional development and community service events that must be attended by at least a certain portion of the membership. Each member must participate in a certain number of such events to remain in good standing.
Individual activity is measured in points. BAY requires all members to engage in 45 points of activity for BAY each semester. This includes 25 points of professional development, 5 points of administrative service, and 15 points of community service. In addition, candidates must complete a non-points eligible candidate project. The total of 45 points of activity constitutes the pledge program.
What are BAY’s dues?
Candidates pay a one-time pledge fee of $100. $55 of this is paid to the international organization for your lifetime membership. Members pay $30 dues every semester.
What are professional development, administrative service, and community service?
Professional development includes joining professional organizations like the CSUN Accounting Association (AA) and the California Society of CPAs, attending Wednesday technical briefings, attending tours of accounting firms, and certain special events like Meet the Firms, Candidate Integration Day, and the Awards Banquet. At least 15 of the 25 required points of professional development must come from BAY-sponsored activities.
Administrative service means attending BAY meetings and helping out with chapter administrative tasks. BAY meetings are held every Monday at noon in the tax library, room JH 2214.
Community service can include just about any imaginable charity work, but at least five points of it must be in tutoring, of which three of those points must be sponsored by BAY. BAY sponsors walk-in tutoring at regular times that are set each semester. Also, BAY sponsors tutoring by appointment and impromptu tutoring. Contact the Director of Tutoring for details.
Voting Members
Voting Members: Who Are They & When Can They Vote?
Who can participate in the voting process?
All members in good standing can vote. Alumni cannot vote.
Who are members?
A member is a person who has been fully initiated into the Chapter. Initiation is typically done at the initiation dinner. In order to become initiated into the Chapter, students must be in good standing with the Chapter and complete their Candidate Semester and ACCT 352 successfully. Students who are elected to an executive board position and otherwise meet the requirements for initiation (good standing and successful completion of their Candidate Semester) may also be initiated after completing ACCT 351.
What is good standing?
In order for anyone to be considered in good standing, they must maintain the points and GPA requirements set forth by our Chapter.
How is voting done for Officer Elections?
Voting for officers is done by secret ballot.
How many votes does a nominee have to receive in order to be elected to office?
In order to be elected to an executive position, the nominee must receive a plurality of the votes. Please note this is different from a majority of the votes.
How many votes must a motion to amend the Bylaws receive in order to pass?
Bylaws may be revised or amended only by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting members.