Starting A New Club

Guidelines for New Organizations

A.  All new student organizations must apply once for provisional recognition. This application is made to Student Involvement and Leadership unless the new organization is a sport club which intends to engage in competition with other colleges or sports clubs. Organizations may remain on provisional status for up to three months from date of notification, with exception made at the discretion of a BSC staff member in the designated office. Provisional status will be granted to all clubs meeting the following criteria:
  • submission of application for recognition
  • minimum of 2 members willing to serve as officers
  • written statement of purpose and/or constitution
B. All provisional organizations are entitled to the following privileges during the provisional period:
  • use of college facilities and services for organizational meetings and recruitment activities
  • use of college advertising opportunities for recruitment purposes
  • authorization to establish a college account

C. By virtue of their written statement of purpose, the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership may require that some new student groups gain approval from another college department during this provisional period. For example, the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership cannot recognize a student honor society which has not first gained approval from Academic Affairs.

D. During the provisional period, all student groups are required to attend a "Nuts and Bolts" session to learn college processes. In addition, these groups will be assigned a Program Advisor from the Student Involvement and Leadership staff.

E. At the end of the provisional recognition period, a group must apply for full recognition or disband.


Full Recognition

A. Full Recognition may be granted during or at the end of the Provisional period according to standards reasonable and sufficient to the College. These are likely to include, but are not limited to:
  • submission of approved recognition form;
  • agreement to abide by all college policies including those applying to non-discrimination and hazing;
  • updated constitution; and
  • submitted and approved advisor agreement form
B. Full recognition from the college entitles organizations to the following:
  • use of college facilities
  • use of the college name as part of the organization's name
  • services provided by the college's offices including program advising, leadership training, and event management
  • funding from the Student Government Association, if applicable
  • participation in college wide events (e.g., Involvement Fair)
  • use of an on campus-organization account and the College's tax-exempt status
  • option to advertise through Office of Student Involvement and Leadership publications
  • copy of the Student Organization Handbook
  • ability to conduct fundraising activities on campus
  • ability to establish an account at the Print Shop
  • use of a mailbox in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
  • ability to obtain an organization email account and to create an organization web page linked to the College home page

Stop by Student Involvement and Leadership in Campus Center Room 103 for more information!

Last Modified: April 21, 2011