College of Southern Maryland - SGA - Starting a Student Organization

Student Organizations at the College of Southern Maryland serve a valuable educational function, offering the student the opportunity to join together around governmental, cultural, political and special interest issues and assume various leadership roles in carrying out group programs and activities. This opportunity affords students a special experiential component to their education that significantly contributes to their development and enriches the campus as a whole.

One of the primary functions of the Student Life Department is to provide assistance to student organizations by promoting their growth and development. In order to ensure the necessary relationship needed to carry out this function, Student Life has established a registration process for student organizations. The process is designed to enhance communication between the college and student groups, to provide organizations with maximum access to college services, and to clearly define the privileges and responsibilities of registered student organizations.

The following sections outline those procedures and guidelines that students should follow to establish and function as a registered student organization at the College of Southern Maryland.

Defining a Student Organization

A student organization is defined as any registered group/ organization at CSM which is directed and controlled by CSM students and whose programs and activities affect the educational process, promote cultural understanding and student welfare, and/ or contribute to the overall college community. Active membership in a registered student organization shall be limited to registered students, faculty and staff. Students must constitute a majority of the membership. Students must hold the office of president and treasurer. Faculty and staff, who are not students, shall not be eligible to hold any other office other than advisor.

PRIVILEGES OF REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Registered student organizations are entitled to the following:

Recruit members on campus
Schedule the use of college buildings, grounds, and equipment when available.
Reserve college facilities for a variety of programs such as meetings, social functions, membership recruitment, and campus programs.
Use the services resources, and information available from the Student Life Department.
Publicize their activities through the Friday Report, The Student Activities Monthly Calendar, and the Student Activities Update.

Use designated bulletin boards to publicize activities.
Utilize the services of the college (i.e., Print Shop, Central Supply, Food Service, Campus Mail, Purchasing, etc.), with the approval of, the Student Life Department (some of these are not available for non-funded groups).
Participate in the Club Fair and other activities, which provide an opportunity to recruit new members and let others know about your organization and its programs.
Participate in leadership workshops on such topics as publicity, financial management, group leadership and organizational development sponsored by the Student Life Department
Request funds from the SGA.
Solicit funds on campus for the support of organization activities. (Prior approval is required.)
Receive copies of various college and Student and Instructional Support Services publications, booklets, and handouts.

REGISTRATION POLICIES

Registration approval is a function of the Student Life Department. Registration shall be defined as the process whereby a student organization acquires eligibility to receive college support and service. The relationship between the college and registered student organizations generates neither a contractual relationship between CSM and the organization, nor a property right or expectancy in the organization of any sort. Duties performed and activities undertaken by registered organizations are not CSM duties or activities.

Criteria for Registration

That the purpose and objectives of the organization are clearly detailed and in support of the educational and development goals of the college.

That the organization agrees to adhere to all policies and regulations of CSM,the SGA and all local, state and federal laws.

That the organization be a viable, functioning organization, composed primarily of students faculty and staff of CSM.

That the organization not discriminate either in its membership eligibility or program on the grounds of gender, sexual preference, race, color, religion, handicap, or national origin.

That the organization will file a completed Student Organization Registration Form annually with the Student Life Department.

That the organization submit a constitution and/or bylaws stating the name of the organization, purpose, reason for the organization and why no current existing organization meets the same needs, membership requirements, and organizational structure.

That the organization annually file a current list of ten signatures comprised of the current officers of the organization and any other responsible members. These ten individuals must be students at CSM.

That the organization annually files the name and signature of its advisor, chosen from the faculty or staff.

Approval of Registration

A student organization may be registered with CSM only after approval is granted by the Student Life Department, registration is valid for one academic year only, and organization are obliged to register annually in order to maintain status as a registered student organization. Registered student organizations may have affiliation with organizations, national and/or regional, outside the college and be subject to policies and requirement of a parent organization, provided that this relationship entails no conflict with CSM objectives, policies, and activities.

Advisor Policy

All registered student organizations are required to have an advisor from among the college faculty or staff. Selection of an advisor is normally the prerogative of the student organization. Either the organization or the advisor may make the termination of the advisory relationship. In a limited number of activities, such as student publications, student government and organizations participating in highly specialized activities; the advisor may be restricted to those individuals with specials expertise and/ or experience in the particular activity.

Registration Procedures

The registration of student organization is good for only one academic year. Organizations must register each fall, following the steps listed below:

Temporary Registration Status

Temporary registration status is intended for new organizations that wish to use college facilities to determine if there is a need and desire on campus for the organization to develop plans and goals, to recruit members, and to complete the Student Organization Registration Form. This status is also for organizations that will only operate for a short period of time on campus. Examples in this category are groups that support a short-term program; groups formed to support a specific political candidate, or group which only operate during the summer session. If approved, temporary registration is granted for a period of time not to exceed 6 months.

Temporary registration status may be obtain after completing the following:

Step 1: Meet with the Director of Student Life to discuss the Registration procedure and the purpose of the proposed organization

Step 2: Complete a Temporary Registration Form and return it to the Student Life Department. Thismust contain the signature of at least one registered CSM student.

Registered Student Organization Status

Registered student organization status is provided to those groups whose regular membership is comprised of students, faculty, and staff at CSM and is organized to fulfill a clearly stated purpose that is in support of the educational/ developmental goals of the college. Registered student organizations may also have community members as associate members.

An organization may obtain registered student organization status after completing the following:

Step 1: Return a completed Student Organization Registration Forms to the Student Life Department. These forms must be completed in there entire and be legible. (Please type or print clearly.) If not completed satisfactorily, consideration of the application will be delayed until the form is completed properly.

Step 2: The Director of Student Life will review the registration form. Organizations may be requested to meet with the Director of Student Life if further clarification is needed.

Step 3: After review of the Registration Form, and Constitution where appropriate, the Organization will be notified whether or not it has been approved as a registered Student Organization.