 |
General Information
Section 1 - Student Services
General Student Services 
Academic Student Services
Lake Campus Student Services
Section 2 - Getting Involved
Section 3 - Policies & Procedures
General Policies & Procedures
Students Orgs Policies & Procedures
Search By Keyword
Download PDF Format |
|
|
|
REGISTRATION AND RELATIONSHIP STATEMENT
Purpose Statement
1. Wright State University is strongly committed to providing students opportunities for involvement in student organizations. The student life experience is enhanced through student organization involvement which creates a dynamic and stimulating campus environment. Recognizing the value of student organizations, Wright State University further defines its relationship with student organizations by registering both independent and affiliated student organizations. By maintaining a statement of relationship between the University and the student organization, the University establishes a clear set of privileges and responsibilities for student organizations to foster their success.
2. All student organizations and its members shall adhere to all University policies and procedures including the student policies as published in the Wright State University Student Handbook http://www.wright.edu/students/handbook/03_00indexb.html and the Student Code of Conduct http://www.wright.edu/students/judicial/conduct.html .
Definitions
1. Affiliated Student Organization: A student organization determined to be participating on behalf of the University by supporting the on going interests of the University community. An affiliated student organization is considered to be critical to the mission and culture of the University and is inherently linked to the University due to their role as University representatives. An affiliated student organization is an integral part of the institution and routinely presents events for the University and surrounding community. An affiliated student organization has an advisor that is identified by the University and is part of his or her job description to specifically advise the organization. The University provides a designated office space if required, an annual allocation of funds, a University departmental account, and access to activity and recreational space. Affiliated student organizations may use the University’s name as part of their name, protected trademarks, IRS or governmental status, legal or tax advice.
2. Independent Student Organization: A separate, independent entity from the University whose membership is composed of students, or a combination of students, faculty, and staff; which has complied with the registration procedures to be officially granted approval to operate on campus by the Office of Student Activities. Independent student organizations are free to exist or disband and are fully responsible for their own goals, activities and membership. In support of these organizations, the University may provide limited access to office space, funding, agency accounts, activity and recreational space, as well as opportunities for fundraising. Independent student organizations identify their own volunteer advisors who are required to be faculty or staff at the University. All organizations are considered to be independent unless they complete the process to be recognized as an affiliated group by the University. Independent student organization may not use the University’s name as part of their name, protected trademarks, IRS or governmental status, legal or tax advice.
3. Social Greek Organization: Is a men’s or women’s fraternity (or sorority) that is an independent student organizations because of the manner in which they establish themselves at the University. Fraternities and sororities ideals of scholarship, leadership, service and social growth are very compatible with the University’s educational mission. The University provides special support and expectations that are intended to guide the success of fraternities and sororities to live up to their ideals. Because of this relationship the University has set additional expectations for fraternities and sororities as defined in the Standards of Success. These organizations are provided the same services and privileges as independent student organizations. Fraternities and sororities meet the following criteria:
a) the organization is single-sex;
b) the organization exists to promote fraternal relationships and personal development;
c) requirement for admission is not limited to a specific field of study, class year, or grade
attainment beyond the typical grade requirement;
d) the organization is affiliated with a(n) (inter)national organization as a colony or
chapter or is an established local chapter. (Inter)National is defined as more than one
chapter in more than one state; and
e) the inter(national) organization has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
4. Registered Student Organization: All student organizations at Wright State University must register with the Office of Student Activities on an annual basis. Registered groups consist of both affiliated and independent organization.
5. Student Organization Leader: A student meeting each and all of the following minimum criteria shall be eligible to be a student organization leader or officer. Registered student organizations may have additional or higher criteria outlined in their constitutions:
a) an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at the University during the time they
hold office; the student need not be enrolled during the intersession or summer quarter;
b) a member in good standing of a student organization currently registered with the
Office of Student Activities;
c) a student whose name appears in a student organization’s registration materials as an
officer or authorized representative.
d) a student maintaining a minimum of an overall 2.0 undergraduate or 3.0 graduate
grade point average.
6. Student: An undergraduate or graduate enrolled at the University and has paid all applicable tuition and fees.
7. Advisor: Each student organization is required to choose an advisor from the university faculty or administrative staff. Affiliated student organization advisors are appointed by the University. A newly registered student organization is required to have an advisor one month after becoming registered. The responsibilities of the faculty/staff advisor often take the form of:
a) attending meetings and events;
b) providing a non-student perspective on various issues;
c) providing advice and ideas upon request;
d) providing oversight of the financial transactions and record keeping;
e) providing advice when changes are being made in the organization's constitution or
bylaws;
f) serving as a liaison between the student organization and the Office of Student
Activities.
g) assure the eligibility of students to serve as a leader of member in the organization
each quarter.
University Registration
1. Registration Process: Any affiliated or independent student organization may submit to be registered with the university by submitting its organizational documents to the Office of Student Activities. Each organization is responsible for keeping these documents up to date throughout the year in the Office of Student Activities. The documents must include:
a) A constitution: The constitution should contain the objectives of the organization, a
membership clause including an affirmative action statement, a description of the
offices of the organization and duties of each office, and any standing committees. The
bylaws of the organization; the rules that govern the election of officers and other
organization procedures; may be included with the registration materials. Bylaws
should include a plan to replace officers for not fulfilling their duties. A sample
constitution is available in the Office of Student Activities.
b) an updated list of officers
c) a signed anti-hazing compliance form
d) contact information for a University advisor
2. Approval of Registration: The Office of Student Activities will approve organizations that meet the criteria of this relationship statement and actions or activities that are consistent with the educational mission of the University.
3. Termination of Registration: The registration of a student organization may be terminated for any of the following reasons, but not limited to:
a) At the written request of the officers of the organization;
b) When a constitutional provision dissolves the organization;
c) When an organization fails to hold meetings or activities for an entire academic year;
d) When an organization fails to update organization registration information;
e) For nonattendance at Student Organization Training;
f) For violation of university regulations or policy, the student code of conduct, or state
and federal laws.
A student organization that has its registration terminated shall, for all purposes, cease to exist and will no longer be accorded any benefits or privileges by the university. Termination may be for a specific period of time (suspension) or for an indefinite period of time (expulsion).
Organizational Registration Process
1. Membership Criteria: Affiliated and independent student organization must meet the following membership criteria to register as an organization at the University:
a) the organization maintain a minimum of four student members;
b) the organization maintain at least two officers: a president or chair and a treasurer. The
President shall be the official contact person for the organization and shall be
accountable for all actions and financial commitments of the organization.
b) the membership must be open to all students who meet the requirements for
membership set forth in the constitution of the organization;
c) the organization maintains a commitment to affirmative action: Student organizations may not exclude potential members on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression and sexual orientation. It is understood that an organization may be created to deepen the religious faith of students within a denomination or interdenominational grouping and that a student organization may be created for the purpose of perpetuating a national cultural tradition. When these purposes are clearly stated in the constitution or bylaws of a student organization and appear to be reasonable, the organization may affiliate through customary procedures. Social fraternities and sororities, because they are exempt from Title IX requirements, are permitted to retain their single-sex membership status.
Process for Social Greek Organizations Expansion
1. Invitation for Expansion: The University reserves the right to extend an invitation to a(n) (inter)national fraternity/sorority to register a local chapter as a recognized social Greek organization. The University, in consultation with the campus Greek governing body impacted, will make the final decision on the addition of any Greek organization to the WSU Greek community. The expansion procedures will be followed when determining to invite a(n) (inter)national fraternity/sorority to register a local chapter.
a) Any new general social Greek organization seeking recognition by the University
must first obtain initial written approval from the Office of Student Activities. Before a(n) (inter)national fraternity/ sorority may colonize and officially become a registered social Greek organization, it must receive written approval from the University .
Process to Become an Affiliated Student Organization
1. Criteria: Independent organizations may apply for affiliated student organization status if they meet the following criteria:
a) plan activities which have a campus-wide impact and/or serves as a coordinating or
umbrella council for a large number of students or student organizations;
b) receive direct advising from a University department or division;
c) have a staff/faculty member that is assigned, per a job description, to advise the
organization.
2. Approval Process: A student organization may be considered for affiliated student organization status, if the organization meets the criteria of an affiliated student organization and completes the approval process.
a) Advisor(s) and student organizers schedule a meeting with the Office of Student
Activities to review the creation process, rights, responsibilities, and privileges
extended by sponsoring office.
b) Develop a formal proposal using the guidelines to start a new affiliated student
organization and present it to the Office of Student Activities.
c) Student Activities reviews proposal, gathers outside information if needed. Additional
meetings between Student Activities, organizers and the advisor(s) may be necessary
before recommendation is made for affiliated student organization status.
d) The Director of Student Activities approves or denies affiliated status.
3. The Formal Proposal: A completed proposal should address the following thoroughly and should include appropriate supporting documentation:
a) Name of student organization, sponsoring office, student organizers' contact
information, and advisor(s)' contact information.
b) Purpose statement of student organization. This statement should define the
services/programs the student organization will offer to students, which are not
currently available, and/or not being delivered effectively through existing
organizations.
c) Explanation of how this student organization meets the definition of an affiliated
student organization.
d) Demonstrated need from students that the new student organization will provide
programs/services, which are not currently provided through existing methods.
Examples of supporting documentation include petitions from interested students,
evaluations, Advisory Committee meeting minutes, etc.
e) Draft of constitution and bylaws.
f) Proposed operating budget and funding sources.
g) Roles, job descriptions, and/or duties of officers & members.
h) Action plans for student organizers and advisor to recruit members and begin
providing programs.
i) Description of support the sponsoring office will provide for the student organization
(i.e. office supplies, budget, workspace, staff advising time, training, etc.)
j) A job description of the full-time staff member that will serve as an advisor. It is
critical that the advisor job responsibility not be tied to a person, but to a position within the department or division; as should the position become vacant it is necessary for the next person in the position to assume the advising of the affiliated student organization.
This policy is maintained by the Office of Student Activities. Please call 937-775-5570 if you have any questions or would like to discuss the policy with a staff member.
Updated 8/2007
|
|
