Organization and Event Planning Handbook, Student Involvement at Oregon State University

Recognition of Student Organizations

University Organizations
Types of Student Organizations
Benefits of Student Organizations
Responsibilities of Recognized Organizations
Creating Student Organizations
Advisors

University Organizations

Student organizations are a vital part of Oregon State University They provide the fabric for the tapestry of diversity that represents our community. OSU empowers students to form and join organizations to promote common interests and to foster the effective functioning of organizations. Two hundred and fifty organizations are classified into thirteen categories that represent a wide array of social, educational, recreational, community service, professional, spiritual and learning opportunities.

The University recognizes student organizations in order to provide services, resources and facilities; to effectively and equitable allocate University resources; to assist in the coordination of activities; and to create opportunity for students to develop critical life skills.

Types of Student Organizations

There are thirteen classifications of student organizations at Oregon State University that offer a wide range of involvement opportunities. For more information on specific organizations, contact Student Involvement. An updated directory of organizations and contact information is available after November 1st each year.

Academic
Co-Operative
Ethnic/Cultural
Governance
Graduate Student
Greek
Media and Publications
Political and Social Awareness
Service
Honorary
Spiritual and Philosophical
Sports and Recreation
Professional

Benefits of Recognized Organizations

OAR576-018-0010 (4)

Being a recognized student organization opens up a wide expanse of opportunity on the Oregon State University Campus:

Free use of most of the facilities on campus for regularly scheduled business meetings and special events
Discounted rates for use of prime facilities use when an admissions fee is charged
Application a year in advance for reservation of prime event space
Use of university's name in organizations title
The opportunity to apply for student fee money from the Educational Activities committee
Establishment of an account with MU Business Services
An opportunity to apply for office or desk space in the Student Involvement Office
Use of campus mail service for distribution of materials related to the purpose and business of the organization
Access to a mailbox/address in the office of Student Involvement
Use of equipment and services available from various university entities
Access to a URL address and email account for your organization
Access to numerous events, programs, workshops and resources sponsored by Student Involvement
Use of university printing services
Use of university purchasing services
Utilization of university staff and programming resources
Listing of current information in Student Organization Directory

Responsibilities of Recognized Organizations

OAR 576-018-0030 as proposed and approved for trial period by Student Activities Committee, June 2002

In order for a student organization to be recognized they must meet the following criteria:

Have a clearly defined lawful purpose;
Agree to conduct affairs in a lawful and ethical manner and in accordance with their constitutions and bylaws, as well as in accordance with University policies and procedures, city ordinances, state statutes, and Federal laws;
Demonstrate compliance with OSU's prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, disabled veteran and Vietnam-era veteran status except for those gender qualifications directly relevant to the organizational purpose;
Send at least one representative of the organization to the annual Student Involvement Recognition Summit, during the 3rd week of fall term; this representative will sign a "Statement of Understanding and Compliance" on behalf of the organization; submit an Annual Recognition Form to report current leaders and advisors, with current contact information.
Require studenr leaders to meet or exceed the minimum academic standards for holding leadership positions as follows: maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (3.0 for graduate students) not be on disciplinary probation and be currently enrolled for at least 6 credits at OSU and pay student fees;
Agree that organization will maintain at least 51% of total membership as currently enrolled Oregon State University students;
Organizations are required to have an advisor who is a member of the University faculty, as defined by the OSU Faculty Senate rules for representation. Classified staff members and research assistants approved by the office of Student Involvement may also serve as advisors.
Have an adequate system of accounting for organization funds
Review its constitution annually and submit any changes to the office of Student Involvement. (Significant constitutional revisions may be referred by the office of Student Involvement or the Student Activities Committee)

Creating Student Organizations

Conditions for Maintaining Student Organization Recognition publication of Student Involvement supported by OARs 576-018-0020, 0030, 0040 as proposed and approved for trial period by Student Activities Committee, June 2002

Creating Recognized Student Organizations
Any group of students with a common purpose, seeking to obtain University recognition, must: submit to the office of Student Involvement an Annual Recognition Form containing the organization's name and purpose statement, a list of at least 5 OSU student members identified as organization leaders and the name and signature of an advisor. Each organization must also submit a copy of the organization's constitution.

Maintaining Recognized Status
Any University recognized organization not complying with these expectations will be determined to be inactive. After 12 months of inactivity, recognition will be officially withdrawn.

To reestablish recognition, the student organization must follow the procedures for obtaining recognition. A reestablished student organization must clear its previous Memorial Union business office account before a new account may be established. All back debts must be paid and previous balances brought forward.

Advisors

There are no rules about what role that advisor will play in your organization. That's up to the individual group. Advisors can be a lot of assistance to you, but it's up to you to decide how you would like to use their skill. They aren't there to take over the group, just to help out as someone with experience and university connections.

Some things you might want your advisor to do:

be a resource
attend your events
help you understand university policies and how they affect the organization
attend meetings
share historical information on your groups programs
provide continuity from year to year for your organization - as you change officers it is good to have someone around who knows the history of the group
>suggest program ideas
help problem-solve and deal with crises
advise officers on meeting agendas
be a role model
serve as a sounding board
intervene in group conflicts
provide connections for the group
give honest feedback to group members

Remember - the advisor does not have the same responsibilities as a group member and shouldn't be looked at as someone who will run things or take care of last minute details. They are there
to help you, not do it for you.

Once you've decided what your group wants from the advisor, write up your expectations, along with the time commitment you expect as well as what the advisor can expect from the group. Now you need to find an advisor who is interested in what your group is about. One way to do this is to ask members for names of faculty or staff who have been helpful and interested in the student's life.

After the group has chosen an advisor, be sure to keep them aware of what is going on within the group. Let them know when meetings and events are being held. Periodically give them updates on issues the group is dealing with. Definitely let them know when elections are held and introduce them to new officers. And don't forget to say, "Thanks!"


			OSU Home » Student Involvement » Student Organization Development » Organization and Event Planning Handbook » Recognition of Student Organizations. Recognition of Student Organizations University Organizations Types of Student Organizations Benefits of Student Organizations Responsibilities of Recognized Organizations Creating Student Organizations Advisors University Organizations Student organizations are a vital part of Oregon State University They provide the fabric for the tapestry of diversity that represents our community. OSU empowers students to form and join organizations to promote common interests and to foster the effective functioning of organizations. Two hundred and fifty organizations are classified into thirteen categories that represent a wide array of social, educational, recreational, community service, professional, spiritual and learning opportunities. The University recognizes student organizations in order to provide services, resources and facilities; to effectively and equitable allocate University resources; to assist in the coordination of activities; and to create opportunity for students to develop critical life skills. Types of Student Organizations There are thirteen classifications of student organizations at Oregon State University that offer a wide range of involvement opportunities. For more information on specific organizations, contact Student Involvement. An updated directory of organizations and contact information is available after November 1st each year. Academic Co-Operative Ethnic/Cultural Governance Graduate Student Greek Media and Publications Political and Social Awareness Service Honorary Spiritual and Philosophical Sports and Recreation Professional Benefits of Recognized Organizations OAR576-018-0010 (4) Being a recognized student organization opens up a wide expanse of opportunity on the Oregon State University Campus: Free use of most of the facilities on campus for regularly scheduled business meetings and special events Discounted rates for use of prime facilities use when an admissions fee is charged Application a year in advance for reservation of prime event space Use of university's name in organizations title The opportunity to apply for student fee money from the Educational Activities committee Establishment of an account with MU Business Services An opportunity to apply for office or desk space in the Student Involvement Office Use of campus mail service for distribution of materials related to the purpose and business of the organization Access to a mailbox/address in the office of Student Involvement Use of equipment and services available from various university entities Access to a URL address and email account for your organization Access to numerous events, programs, workshops and resources sponsored by Student Involvement Use of university printing services Use of university purchasing services Utilization of university staff and programming resources Listing of current information in Student Organization Directory Responsibilities of Recognized Organizations OAR 576-018-0030 as proposed and approved for trial period by Student Activities Committee, June 2002 In order for a student organization to be recognized they must meet the following criteria: Have a clearly defined lawful purpose; Agree to conduct affairs in a lawful and ethical manner and in accordance with their constitutions and bylaws, as well as in accordance with University policies and procedures, city ordinances, state statutes, and Federal laws; Demonstrate compliance with OSU's prohibition of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, disabled veteran and Vietnam-era veteran status except for those gender qualifications directly relevant to the organizational purpose; Send at least one representative of the organization to the annual Student Involvement Recognition Summit, during the 3rd week of fall term; this representative will sign a "Statement of Understanding and Compliance" on behalf of the organization; submit an Annual Recognition Form to report current leaders and advisors, with current contact information. Require studenr leaders to meet or exceed the minimum academic standards for holding leadership positions as follows: maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (3.0 for graduate students) not be on disciplinary probation and be currently enrolled for at least 6 credits at OSU and pay student fees; Agree that organization will maintain at least 51% of total membership as currently enrolled Oregon State University students; Organizations are required to have an advisor who is a member of the University faculty, as defined by the OSU Faculty Senate rules for representation. Classified staff members and research assistants approved by the office of Student Involvement may also serve as advisors. Have an adequate system of accounting for organization funds Review its constitution annually and submit any changes to the office of Student Involvement. (Significant constitutional revisions may be referred by the office of Student Involvement or the Student Activities Committee) Creating Student Organizations Conditions for Maintaining Student Organization Recognition publication of Student Involvement supported by OARs 576-018-0020, 0030, 0040 as proposed and approved for trial period by Student Activities Committee, June 2002 Creating Recognized Student Organizations Any group of students with a common purpose, seeking to obtain University recognition, must: submit to the office of Student Involvement an Annual Recognition Form containing the organization's name and purpose statement, a list of at least 5 OSU student members identified as organization leaders and the name and signature of an advisor. Each organization must also submit a copy of the organization's constitution. Maintaining Recognized Status Any University recognized organization not complying with these expectations will be determined to be inactive. After 12 months of inactivity, recognition will be officially withdrawn. To reestablish recognition, the student organization must follow the procedures for obtaining recognition. A reestablished student organization must clear its previous Memorial Union business office account before a new account may be established. All back debts must be paid and previous balances brought forward. Advisors There are no rules about what role that advisor will play in your organization. That's up to the individual group. Advisors can be a lot of assistance to you, but it's up to you to decide how you would like to use their skill. They aren't there to take over the group, just to help out as someone with experience and university connections. Some things you might want your advisor to do: be a resource attend your events help you understand university policies and how they affect the organization attend meetings share historical information on your groups programs provide continuity from year to year for your organization - as you change officers it is good to have someone around who knows the history of the group >suggest program ideas help problem-solve and deal with crises advise officers on meeting agendas be a role model serve as a sounding board intervene in group conflicts provide connections for the group give honest feedback to group members Remember - the advisor does not have the same responsibilities as a group member and shouldn't be looked at as someone who will run things or take care of last minute details. They are there to help you, not do it for you. Once you've decided what your group wants from the advisor, write up your expectations, along with the time commitment you expect as well as what the advisor can expect from the group. Now you need to find an advisor who is interested in what your group is about. One way to do this is to ask members for names of faculty or staff who have been helpful and interested in the student's life. After the group has chosen an advisor, be sure to keep them aware of what is going on within the group. Let them know when meetings and events are being held. Periodically give them updates on issues the group is dealing with. Definitely let them know when elections are held and introduce them to new officers. And don't forget to say, "Thanks!"