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Student Council
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The Student Council governs the internal
affairs of the student body. The Council consists of twenty-three voting members
and is made up of the Executive Board; representatives from ODI, ODII, ODIII
classes; the Accelerated OD and Advanced Standing
International Programs;
Student Council organizes student legislation, activities, the annual Halloween
and Holiday parties, the Eye Ball, and the yearbook. At the fall budget
meeting, Council members allocate funds from student activity fees to the
various school organizations.
The Council also meets periodically with school administrators to help set
policy concerning student interests, and oversees the election of student
representatives to administrative committees such as Curriculum, Student
Affairs and Financial Aid. The president of the Student Council is a voting
member of the Board of Trustees.
To see the Student Council Bylaws,
click here (NOTE:
it is in PDF Format). For more information see the Student
Handbook, or contact a Student Council Member.
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American Academy of Optometry
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The major goal of the American Academy
of Optometry is to maintain and enhance excellence in standards of optometric
practice. It does this by fostering research and the dissemination of knowledge
in both basic and applied vision science. Since its founding in 1922, the
Academy’s success in achieving this objective has moved it to the forefront of
American and international optometry and made fellowship in the Academy a
significant and cherished attainment for optometrists and vision scientists.
For more information see the handbook or contact the AAO student representative.
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American Optometric Student Association
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The
American Optometric Student
Association (AOSA) is the international professional organization for
optometric students and is often an initial exposure to organized optometry.
The AOSA is headed by an Executive Council (president, vice-president,
secretary, and treasurer) and a Board of Trustees representing each school or
college of optometry. Every student at the College becomes a member of AOSA
when his/her activity fee is paid. In return, members receive the AOSA
newspaper Foresight and other benefits including penlights, T-shirts, and
clipboards.
More importantly, the AOSA represents student interests to a variety of
organizations including the National Board of Examiners in Optometry,
International Association of the Board, Association of Schools and Colleges of
Optometry and various sections of the American Optometric Association. The AOSA
also sponsors the Annual Conference. The Conference, besides being a great
time, affords students the opportunity to attend informative classes, become
familiar with various products and manufacturers, and meet fellow students from
other schools and colleges of optometry.
For more information contact the AOSA student trustee.
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Beta Sigma Kappa
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The Beta Sigma Kappa International
Optometric Honor Fraternity is an elite group of Optometrists and Optometry
students who are dedicated to stimulating scientific and clinical excellence
and high moral standards in the profession.
The organization is involved in a variety of academic activities, such as
National Board of Examiners in Optometry review sessions, group seminars on
special testing techniques, and tutoring. It supports optometric research by
awarding grants each year to deserving student projects, and it also presents
the Silver Medal Award to the graduating senior with the highest academic
record.
Another aspect of the BSK member’s mission is volunteering for worthy community
projects. In addition to its academic goals, the fraternity encourages social
interaction among students.
Membership eligibility consists of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5
after the first year, 3.4 after the second year, and 3.3 after the third year.
POD students are eligible with a minimum GPA of 3.5 after the first year and
3.3 after the second year. International program students are eligible with a
minimum GPA of 3.3 after the first year.
Membership is for life, as are the standards advocated by the organization. For
further information, contact Dr. Nicole Quinn.
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College of Optometrists in Vision Development
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The COVD-NECO-Special Intrest Group is a
chapter for COVD at The New England College of Optometry. There are currently
16 other chapters across the country at various optometry schools.
COVD-NECO-SIG serves as an advocate for comprehensive vision care with an
emphasis on a developmental and behavioral approach to patient care; provides
an education opportunity to share programs and information in the areas of
behavioral vision care, vision therapy and related fields; and provides and
promotes professional standards of behavior among members of the student
organization and the general public.
Membership in COVD is required to be a member of the club. Applications will
be distributed at the first meeting of each year and to anyone who is
interested in joining thereafter.
The faculty advisor for COVD is Dr. Richard Laudon.
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Massachusetts Society of Optometrists
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The Massachusetts Society of
Optometrists is dedicated to the fulfillment of quality vision and eye care
needs of all the public. To achieve this goal, the MSO seeks to unite all
Massachusetts optometrists in their effort to practice the highest standard of
care through support of continuing education and research. The MSO promotes
full scope of practice by all Doctors of Optometry in fulfilling their goal as
primary health care providers through public education as well as legislative,
legal and other pursuits. The MSO is also dedicated to promoting the success of
its members in professional life.
The MSO is the legal watchdog for the
profession in Massachusetts. It is intimately involved with legislative
affairs, professional ethics, community health and education, practice
enhancement, and a variety of other member’s services. The MSO is the primary
source of information in optometry for both the general public and the
optometrists of Massachusetts. It provides special recognition to distinguished
contributors to optometry, and in this capacity it has honored several members
of the College’s faculty and administration
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National Optometric Student Association
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The National Optometric Student
Association (NOSA) promotes the delivery of vision care to minority communities
through consumer education, legislative advocacy and minority recruitment and
retention activities. The Association informs minority community members about
vision protection, and works to raise legislators’ awareness of minority
consumers’ visual needs. NOSA’s recruitment efforts include talks with
elementary, high school and college students.
NOSA is affiliated with the National Optometric Association, an organization of
optometrists of color. For further information or questions about becoming an
active member, contact the NOSA president.
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Performance Vision Club
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Objectives of the Performance Vision Club (PVC)
are to serve all patients in the community to improve their visual performance;
to inform the public of preventative measures to ensure proper eye safety and to
reduce the risk of eye injury; to promote professional standards of behavior and
mutual respect among members, and to promote professional standards of behavior
among members of the student organization and the general public.
Meetings can feature speakers, screenings, observations, examinations (childhood
to adult), and sporting events. For more information, please contact the PVC
president. The faculty advisor for PVC is Dr. Walter Potaznick
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VOSH/New England
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VOSH/New England is the largest student
run organization at NECO, involving both students and optometrists. VOSH’s
purpose is to deliver eye care to those who lack access to such services for
financial or other reasons. SVOSH offers free eye health screenings throughout
Massachusetts. We work closely with the Lions Club, providing them with
screenings as they provide us with used eyeglasses to be distributed in an
underprivileged country.
All NECO students are encouraged to join VOSH, both to better their
clinical skills and to help others. As a VOSH member you will get early hands
on experience by seeing patients of all ages at local screenings as well as the
opportunity to see patients in other countries during the annual trip.
During the past several years, active VOSH members will have seen patients in
the cities of Merida and Chetumal, Mexico. The trips offer tremendous clinical
experience and will give over 5,000 people eye exams. If you are interested
joining VOSH, please contact the VOSH president or vice president.
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