Starting a New Student Organization

Students who want to start a new organization must follow the procedures listed below.

• A representative of a prospective new student organization must schedule a meeting with the Student Organization Development Coordinator (Coordinator) to discuss the new student group recognition process, and prepare the organization for recognition consideration. Due to the time required to complete the recognition process, those who do not submit all paperwork to the Coordinator by the end of March may not be recognized until the following fall semester.
• The Coordinator will review the recognition process with the organization representative, provide the representative with the new student organization packet, and refer them to the Associated Student Government website where they can find the information and complete the required documents. The Coordinator will also answer any questions or concerns the new organization representative might have.

• All recognized student organizations must have a campus advisor. A campus advisor can be a part-time or full-time employee of The University of Akron. A campus advisor's eligibility and approval is determined by the Department of Student Life.

During the time the prospective organization is completing the new student organization development application packet, they are considered a Status A organization. Status A organizations have access to the following privileges:

• Can reserve the use of campus facilities a maximum of three (3) times for recruitment meeting use only. Student Union facility requests are scheduled by calling the Student Union reservation line at (330) 972-8689.
• Following the Student Life posting policy, located on the Student Life website, gropus can post (8 1/2" x 11") flyers on campus.
• Each poster must include the following disclaimer: "Enter your organization name here", a prospective student group, is seeking recognition at The University of Akron. This posting shall not be construed as approval, endorsement or sponsorship by The University of Akron of the student group's publications, activities, actions or purpose
• Prospective organizations may also use Zipmail through the Department of Student Life to announce recruitment meetings only, by going online at http://www.uakron.edu/zipmail.
• Note: Status A and Status B organizations cannot conduct major event programming, incur Student Union facility charges, or conduct fundraisers during the recognition process.

To become a Status B organization, the president schedules a meeting with the Coordinator and submits all required documents as listed below. All documents must also be typed and sent electronically to asg@uakron.edu. Status B organizations can utilize campus facilities for an additional six (6) times for recruitment meeting use only.

Note: Category A or B status prospective organizations cannot conduct major event programming, incur Student Union facility charges or conduct fundraisers during the recognition process.

New Student Organization Development Packet Documents:
All documents must be submitted electronically to the Associated Student Government at asg@uakron.edu. Documents will be reviewed to assure that all requirements have been met.

Cover letter

• Written to the Student Organization Development Coordinator; this letter should include:
• A synopsis of the organization's purpose.
• Statement of goals and objectives.
• Why the organization wants to be recognized.
• If the prospective organization has affiliation with a local, regional or national organization.

• Constitution
• A structured outline to assist in preparing the group's constitution is available. The Office of Leadership and Development can provide assistance in preparing the document.

• Charter Member Roster
• Complete the Charter Member roster form with a minimum of ten (10) currently enrolled, part-time or full-time University of Akron students, who are in good standing with the University. Provide the names and student identification numbers which will be used to verify the student's status. The list can exceed 10 members.

• New Student Group Recognition Agreement
• Complete the student organization recognition forms, providing the signature of both the president and campus advisor. By signing the recognition agreement the organization indicates that the organization president and campus advisor understand the policies and procedures outlined and agree to comply. Both the president and campus advisor must type their names and sign the agreement.

• New Group Registration Form
• Upon official recognition by the University, annual registration is required and must be submitted to the Department of Student Life with other documents, as required.
• An organization that fails to register over a five year period is subject to the process of starting a new student organization.
• Registered organizations are required to submit a revised constitution every two (2) years to the HUB/SOuRCe desk in the Student Union, room 130.

Sports Clubs

• For new sports clubs the following additional procedures apply:

• For sports clubs to become Status A organizations, the sports club student president must meet with the staff of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SWRC) to discuss SWRC guidelines. If the group is prepared to meet the initial SWRC expectations, then the group will be granted "A" status benefits. Telephone (330) 972-7610 to schedule this meeting.
• All sports club campus advisors must be approved by the SWRC.
• Sports clubs will be coordinated by the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
• Sports clubs may have additional constitutional requirements as directed by the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Associated Student Government Review Process

New student organizations that include undergraduate student members will be validated by the Coordinator and forwarded to Associated Student Government's Judicial Branch. The judicial branch will review the document to assess the following:

• The constitution packet clearly states the organization's name, organization affiliations (local, state and national) and the purpose of the organization.
• The organization's purpose does not duplicate the purpose of another currently recognized organization.
• The organization's purpose, objectives and activities are consistent with the objectives, rules and regulations of The University of Akron, and all Municipal, State and Federal laws.
• The organization will not discriminate in its member selection process unless federal or state law allows for exceptions.
• The organization's constitution is clear, concise and incorporates all required University provisions and other necessary information for the successful operation of the student organization.

• Legislation shall be proposed to the Associate Student Government Senate for recognition consideration.
• A student representative for the organization is required to attend an Associated Student Government senate meeting to answer any further questions about the organization. Associated Student Government senate meetings are held weekly on Thursdays at 5:00 P.M. in SU 316.
• Upon completion of the ASG legislative process an official recommendation is forwarded to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students and then forwarded to the Vice President for Student Affairs for final review.
• Upon authorization of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Department of Student Life will send official notification to the organization president and campus advisor. At that time, all other appropriate campus departments shall be notified that the recognition is complete.

Graduate Organizations

• Prospective Graduate organizations follow the same application process as undergraduate groups. During Status "B" the documents are submitted to and reviewed by the Graduate Student Government Review committee. Following review by this committee, the final approval process is conducted by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. If approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs, the group is then notified by the Department of Student Life of official University recognition.

Law Organizations

• The Law School has a prescribed recognition process for prospective law student organizations. Following this process, the prospective law school organization must follow the same procedure for undergraduate student organizations to become recognized.

Officially Recognized Organization Privileges and Resources

Privileges and resources shall be available to officially recognized new student organizations currently registered with the Department of Student Life, including, but not limited to the following:

• Upon official recognition, assistance and resources are available by contacting the SOuRCe student organization liaisons, located in the Student Union HUB, room 130 or by calling (330) 972-2483.
• Eligibility to apply for funding through the Extracurricular Activities Fund (EAF) and/or Contingency funding process, at http://www.uakron.edu/studentlife/source/treasurer.php.
• Additional assistance with the EAF process is available through the Associated Student Government.
• Use of Student Union and campus facilities (i.e., meeting rooms and lobby tables).
• o All Student Union facility requests are scheduled by calling the Student Union reservation line at (330) 972-8689.
• Permission to reserve a student organization website address on the University network.
• Participation in all campus events such as the Akron Traditions, Student Organization Resource fair, Homecoming (eligibility to nominate candidates for Homecoming King and Queen), L.I.F.E. awards, and leadership events including eligibility for student leadership awards.
• Participation in available educational and development student organization meetings and workshops.
• Use of The University of Akron name, trademark, and logo per University policy.
• Limited insurance coverage as an official university organization.

Unauthorized Conduct

All prospective student organizations should be aware that The University of Akron will not support the recognition of organizations that:

• Utilize behavior modification techniques, mind control techniques and similar forms of coercive behavior.
• Does not permit or limits free speech, self-criticism and the right to leave the organization without penalty.
• Impairs, makes captive or destroys an individual's freedom of thought through physical stress or subtle or covert techniques.
• Refuses to reveal and explain if requested, the organization's financial structure and support.

Many variables affect the speed of the review process including: timeliness of the organization submitting the required documents, attendance at required meetings, the organization's response to requests for constitutional revision, etc., and the number of review bodies involved in the recognition process. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our office staff at:

Associated Student Government
Student Union 133
Telephone: (330) 972-7002
asg@uakron.edu