Start/Renew a Student Organization

How to Start a Student Organization

The following criteria are considered in approving new student organizations at USI.  When evaluating new group requests, Center for Campus Life staff considers the degree to which the proposed organization meets each of the established criteria. Those organizations that best meet all the criteria listed below will most likely be approved. 

• Does your potential student organization complement the mission of USI?
• Does your organization have a clear purpose?
• Does your group demonstrate a student need that is currently not being met?
• Does the name of the organization clearly represent the function of the group?

A group wishing to be a registered student organization must complete the Intent to Organize process through the Center for Campus Life. Groups have 90 days to complete the process during one of the two organization registration periods held annually. The following information must be submitted and approved before student organization status is awarded:

• Name of organization: (no organization shall register a name identical to or closely similar to the name of a currently registered organization nor can the University of Southern Indiana or “USI” precede any organization name)
• Constitution: A constitution and by-laws of the organization, which includes a declaration of purpose, membership composition, non-discrimination statement, organizational structure, amendment procedures, etc. must be submitted. University of Southern Indiana policies supersede those of an organization’s constitution and bylaws.

  Writing a constitution can seem like a huge undertaking. A constitution should be a "living document" that is updated and reviewed annually. A constitution should be the governing document of your student organization. Below we have included a sample constitution that includes some instructions on how to create a constitution. We have also added the the check-list of items your constitution should include. 

  1. The national organization’s constitution and/or by-laws or memorandum of understanding must be on file with the Center for Campus Life if organization is affiliated with one.
  2. National constitutions/by-laws imposed upon the local organization may not conflict with the University of Southern Indiana policies and procedures.
     
     Sample Constitution and By-Laws        Constitution Check-List
     
     
• Roster and Officer List: A list of officers or official representatives of the organization. Along with the names of at least five (5) current USI students, who intend on being members of the organization.
• Advisor: The name of a USI faculty or staff advisor and completion of the Advisor Agreement. Advisors must actively participate in the organization and regularly attend meetings of the organization. Advisor(s) must be full-time employee(s) of USI and not seeking a degree while holding the role of advisor. In case of severe hardship, the Center for Campus Life is authorized to waive this requirement for a reasonable period of time.
• Insurance: Secure insurance if required by University (sports/recreational clubs and others conducting high-risk activities). Social fraternities and sororities are required to carry insurance.
• Orientation: Organization must complete a new student organization orientation within 60 days of notice.

Steps to starting an organization:

1. Setup a meeting with a Center for Campus Life Professional Staff member. 
   • At this meeting, you will discuss the proposed student organization and next steps.
   • Prior to your meeting, it may be helpful to have the contact information for the required 5 students and the name of a full-time faculty/staff member that is interested in serving as the group's advisor. 
2. After the meeting, the group will need to create a constitution (see information above). 
3. Once the constitution is drafted, the group will fill out the Organization Registration in EagleSync.  
4. Officers and Advisor(s) will need to complete the required training pertinent to their position and agree to serve in their position.

Feel free to schedule a meeting with Jenny Garrison about starting a student organization!  Schedule online now!