Student Life
Organizations
American Optometric Student Association (AOSA)
The American Optometric Student Association (www.theaosa.org) is the national organization for all optometry students. All SCCO students are automatically members of the AOSA and the American Optometric Association (www.aoa.org) by virtue of their membership in the SCCO Student Association. The AOSA exists to improve the visual welfare of the public and enhance the education and welfare of optometry students. AOSA directs itself to the educational, legislative, political, interprofessional, intraprofessional and social concerns of optometry students. Each of the optometry schools contributes to AOSA through active participation in their respective AOSA chapters. The trustee from each school serves on the AOSA Board of Trustees. The President of the AOSA is the national spokesperson for optometry students. This individual serves on an advisory committee for the federal government, is a consultant to the AOA, and may testify before the United States Congress on matters pertaining to optometry and optometry students.
In addition, to the AOSA, students may elect to become voluntary members of a variety of organizations and clubs.
American Academy of Optometry (AAO)
The American Academy of Optometry (www.aaopt.org) is the national academic organization fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through continuing education presented at its annual meeting. Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing Fellowship and exchange. Students pay a reduced membership fee as well as reduced registration costs to attend the annual meeting.
American Optometric Association Political Action Committee (AOA-PAC)
The American Optometric Association Political Action Committee is a voluntary nonprofit, unincorporated committee of doctors of optometry. This committee is not affiliated with any political party or any other political committee. Optometry is a legislated profession and decisions made by national, state and local politicians have a direct, and often long lasting, effect on optometry. Defending the rights of optometrists to practice full-scope optometry is one of the most important roles of the AOA. The volunteers and staff of the AOA Advocacy Group are dedicated to preserving and forwarding the interests of optometrists and their patients in the legislature of the United States to ensure that Americans continue to have access to quality vision care. Each School of Optometry has a local representative and students are encouraged to participate for a minimal donation.
Armed Forces Optometric Society (AFOS)
The Armed Forces Optometric Society is an association of optometrists in the federal services who strive to advance, improve and enhance the eye care provided to our designated federal services’ health care beneficiaries; to provide a forum for member optometrists; to improve the art and science of the practice of optometry and to elevate the standards of practice. Students on military scholarships and those interested in military service after graduation are encouraged to join.
American Public Health Association (APHA)
The American Public Health Association is a diverse organization of public health professionals that aims to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats. APHA builds a collective voice for public health, working to ensure access to health care, protect funding for core public health services and eliminate health disparities, among a myriad of issues. Students are eligible for membership at a reduced fee.
Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK)
Beta Sigma Kappa is an international optometric honor fraternity. Optometric students are eligible for membership if they have attained a 3.5 GPA or higher after the first year, a 3.4 GPA or higher after the second year, a 3.3 GPA or higher after the third year or a 3.2 GPA or higher at graduation. The fraternity is a service organization that provides the on-campus tutoring program. The BSK Silver Medal is awarded annually to the graduate who is a BSK member with the highest GPA in the graduating class. The national fraternity also provides funding for student research projects.
College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (www.apha.org) is a nonprofit, international association of eye care professionals including optometrists, optometry students and vision therapists, that serves as an advocate for comprehensive vision care emphasizing a developmental and behavioral approach. COVD certifies professional competency in vision therapy, serves as an informational and educational resource and advances research and clinical care in vision development and therapy. The SCCO chapter sponsors speakers and visits to practitioners’ offices for interested students.
Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO)
The Fellowship of Christian Optometrists is a local student club that holds weekly bible study meetings for interested students. They also sponsor several social functions during the year.
Latter-Day Saints Student Association (LDSSA)
The Latter-Day Saints Student Association is a local student club comprised of Mormon students who meet weekly to discuss issues of their faith.
National Optometric Student Association (NOSA)
The National Optometric Student Association is an affiliate of the National Optometric Association (www.natoptassoc.org) and consists of current students who are committed to the recruitment and retention of qualified underrepresented minority students in the profession of optometry.
Practice Management Club
The Practice Management Club is sponsored by the Practice Management faculty and open to all students. Periodic meetings and programs on topics related to practice management are held.
Professional Fraternities
There are two professional coed optometric fraternities at SCCO, Omega Delta and Omega Epsilon Phi. They offer a variety of social events as well as sponsoring educational programs and mock proficiencies for members in preparation for the various clinical and preclinical exams. There is a nominal fee for membership.
Project Concern
Project Concern, established in 1970, is a voluntary student-directed program that is also an extension of the College’s public service and clinical training program. Its purpose is to provide on-site visual screenings to needy people who otherwise would not receive vision care. This program is run by the Student Association Department of Community Health and all students are encouraged to participate.
Spanish Optometric Society
The Spanish Optometric Society is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop the necessary Spanish language skills to effectively provide optometric services to Spanish speaking patients. Tutoring sessions for interested students are provided.
Student Spouse Association
The Student Spouse Association is an educational and social body for married students and their spouses. Their president holds an ex-officio seat on the Student Association Board of Directors.