Student Club and Organization Policies
 

In an effort to ensure the place of student organizations on campus, the University has adopted the following policy regarding the recognition of such groups, along with a statement of privileges and responsibilities. (You should consult the following sections of this handbook for additional policies relating to student organizations: Organizing a New Club; Participation in Co-curricular Activities; Associate Membership in Student Organizations; Fiscal Responsibility; Facility Use; Posters and Advertising; Solicitation Policy; and Conduct and Discipline.)

1.0  Organizations may be established with the University for any legal purpose compatible with the missions of academic institutions of higher learning. Affiliation with an extramural organization shall not, in itself, disqualify the University branch or chapter from University privileges.

2.0  A group becomes an organization when formally recognized by the University. Formal recognition of an organization means, and as herein described, that a recognized organization may be permitted the use of campus facilities, may have access to student funds, may use the University name and in general is accorded those privileges granted to other organizations within the campus community. All groups that meet the following requirements shall be considered for recognition:

   2.1  Submission of a clear statement of purpose, criteria for membership, rules of procedure, a list of officers, and the name of a faculty advisor (full-time faculty) who has expressly indicated his/her willingness to serve. Changes in the foregoing must be submitted within one week of the date of effectiveness to the Vice President for Student Affairs; such changes will then be presented to the Student Affairs Committee for its approval or other appropriate action.

   2.2  Where there is affiliation with an extramural organization, that organization’s constitution and bylaws shall be filed with the Vice President for Student Affairs; such constitution and bylaws will be reviewed by the Student Affairs Committee as part of the recognition process. All amendments in the extramural organization’s constitution shall be submitted to the Student Affairs Committee through the Vice President for Student Affairs within one month of the date of effectiveness.

   2.3  All sources of outside funds shall be disclosed to the Student Affairs Committee through the Vice President for Student Affairs.

3.0  Recognition of an organization implies neither approval nor disapproval by the University of the stated aims, objectives, policies, and practices of the organization. No organization may use the University name without the express authorization of the University except to identify institutional affiliation.

4.0  Any organization which engages in illegal activities, or violates University policies or regulations, on or off campus, may have sanctions imposed against it, including withdrawal of University recognition in accord with 2.0 above.

   4.1  Off-campus social events sponsored by registered student organizations (not advised by Residence Life) are to be initiated through the Department of Student Activities/Leadership Development (SA/LD).

5.0  Membership in a University organization shall be open to those who are willing to subscribe to the stated aims and meet the stated requirements of the organization. (Refer to Policy on Participation in Co-curricular Activities.)

6.0  Recognized organizations within the campus community may be assigned use of campus buildings, grounds and/or equipment for regular business meetings, social and educational programs, and for programs open to the public.

   6.1  The organization requesting use of buildings, grounds, and/or equipment must inform the University of the general purpose of any meeting.

   6.2  The University delegates the assignment function to an administrative official.

   6.3  Reasonable conditions may be imposed to regulate the timeliness of requests, to determine the appropriateness of the buildings, grounds, and/or equipment assigned to regulate time and use, and to ensure proper maintenance.

   6.4  Preference may be given to programs designed for audiences consisting primarily of members of the University community.

   6.5  Allocation of the use of buildings, grounds, and/or equipment may be made based on priority of requests and the demonstrated needs of the organization.

   6.6  Cost incurred by the University for use of its buildings, grounds, and/or equipment may be charged to the using organization.

   6.7  Physical abuse of assigned buildings, grounds, and/or equipment may result in limitations of future use of campus buildings, grounds, and/or equipment by offending organizations; the organizations may be charged for such damages.

7.0  The authority to allocate University funds derived from student fees for
use by organizations is delegated to the Student Senate and Media Board.

   7.1  An interpretation from the State of Connecticut Attorney General’s Office of
Section 4-52 of the General Statutes reads, “... the Student Senate is charged
with the responsibility to disburse funds only for the benefit of the students of
Central Connecticut State University and, further, that the University
administration is charged with the supervisory responsibilities, which include
the determination that any programs receiving support from such funds are in
fact for the benefit of students.”

   7.2  Organization budgets are approved by the Student Senate/Media Board,
subject to the approval of the President of the University.

   7.3  Financial accountability is required for all allocated funds, including
statement of income and expenses on a regular basis.

   7.4  A record indicating the financial condition of the organization, with
supporting documents as necessary, will be submitted on proscribed forms to the Vice President for Student Affairs at the end of each academic semester.

   7.5  All recognized student organizations must work with Department of Student
Activities/Leadership Development when contracting services. Students may not
make verbal or written offers to contract services.

8.0  Recognized organizations must demonstrate each year that they are viable in order to maintain their status as an active organization, otherwise they will be placed in an inactive status or be declared defunct as defined below:

   8.1  Active organizations

      8.1.1  Submit annual report, as specified, by May 5.
      8.1.2  President received specific training.
      8.1.3  Treasurer received specific training.
      8.1.4  List first meeting of fall semester.
      8.1.5  Submit financial plan for upcoming year.
      8.1.6  Content, frequency, etc. of report(s), and pertinent dates will be determined by the Vice President for Students Affairs with
advice from the Student Affairs Committee.

   8.2  Inactive organizations

      8.2.1  Fail to meet requirements in the section above.
      8.2.2  Will be listed as inactive in the Student Handbook, etc.
      8.2.3  Will not be eligible for Student Senate, other University funding, or
use of accounts.
      8.2.4  Will not be eligible to utilize University facilities.
      8.2.5  Will not receive other benefits normally accorded active recognized
organizations.
      8.2.6  Active status may be reinstated with approval of the Vice President for
Student Affairs upon completion of requirements as stated in the
preceding section.

   8.3  Defunct organizations

      8.3.1  Fail to meet active organization requirements for two consecutive years.
      8.3.2  Action to declare a group defunct will be taken in the following fall semester by the Student Affairs Committee.
      8.3.3  If a group is reactivated after this time it must follow the same procedure for obtaining recognition as a new organization.

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