The University recognizes the role, which organized activities serve in enlarging the educational experiences of the members of the University community. Intellectual and personal growth takes place in student organizations, which have effective leaders and effective members. Students are encouraged to participate in programs provided by these organizations and the staff of the University serves to assist student organizations in their programs.
As a consequence, the University has adopted criteria for the approval of student organizations. The Office of Student Activities shall review and act on all request for such approval. Criteria for this approval and procedures to be followed in seeking approval are included in the Manual for Clubs and Organizations, published by the Office of Student Activities.
Organizations duly recognized under theses policies and procedures enjoy certain privileges:
Concomitantly, approved organizations, as agencies within the University community, are responsible for conforming to University regulations and procedures as contained in the Student Handbook. Suggestions for revision should be brought to the attention of the Office of Student Activities.
There are approximately fifty-six (56) registered student clubs and organizations on campus (affiliated with our office), including several Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities. These organizations have applied for and met all the qualifications to actively operate on campus. Meaningful involvement in such out-of-class experiences is likely to provide opportunities for the development of self-governance, leadership, decision-making, team building and planning skills.
Membership in these organizations is open to students in good standing, who meet the common-interest objectives of the organization and their own internal criteria and standards. The majority of the organizations are related to the academic interests of the student. Students interested in one of these organizations should contact the advisor. Guidelines are also outlined for students wishing to establish their own student club or organization.
An organization seeking recognition must submit the following information in writing to the Student Activities Office:
If the purpose, program, and constitution of the proposed organization are not in conflict with the policies, rules and regulations of the university, materials will be reviewed by the Office of Student Activities for approval.
If granted approval, an organization must serve a one-year probation period before being granted all rights and privileges of a fully established organization on campus. Upon final approval, a permanent file will be kept in the Student Activities Office, and the proposed organization must comply on an annual basis with the existing standards for all registered organizations.
B. Hearing
The Director of Student Activities or his/her designee shall examine each application and reject those not submitted in accordance with the procedure as stated in the handbook for student organizations. He/she may request a hearing on the proposed recognition. He/she may, at his/her discretion, request that the hearing be held before the Student Affairs Committee. The Director of Student Activities may request the presentation of oral and documentary evidence. A recording or transcript of the hearing shall be made and preserved for use in possible appeals and reviews.
Recognition shall be granted only to those organizations whose purpose and proposed activities are clearly related to the educational goals and mission of the University. Recognition shall be denied if the evidence presented shows that the proposed organization will present substantial likelihood of material interference or conflict with the educational process of the University or any of the following:
If the Director of Student Activities disapproves recognition, the organization may appeal the decision to the Vice President for Student Affairs, who shall review the same and affirm, reverse or modify the decision. The appeal shall be in such form as the Vice-President for Student Affairs may require.
All applications for recognition approved by the Director of Student Activities or the Vice-President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs or the committee shall promptly entitle the organization to all rights and privileges of a student organization.
Recognition authorizes an organization to use University facilities and equipment. Use is approved based on availability, the Board of Regents Policies, and University regulations governing the use of facilities and equipment. There shall be reasonable scheduling and clearance of particular facilities and equipment by the Office of Student Activities.
