How do I become a recognized organization?

Re-Activation of an existing organization: An Organization that was active in the previous year can be re-activated by anyone who logs into SON. Requirements for re-activation to be fully recognized include the following items:

SON Requirements:

• Completed and current Constitution or Governing documents.
• Full executive board labeled in SON (Must have 2.5 GPA cumulative GPA and be in good disciplinary standing in order to be eligible) Roster of all members of the organization.
• General organization Email – (Gmail / Yahoo etc)
• Point of contact for the organization – (President typically – This is the face of your organization / name will be public )
• Faculty / Staff / Alumni Advisor contact information
• Mission statement of the organization - (Must match your governing documents)

Additional requirements to be completed:

• 2 members completed Financial Leadership workshop
• 2 members completed Event Planning and Space Reservations for Student Leaders workshop
• Faculty / Staff / Alumni advisor agreement signed by advisor and submitted to Student Activities.

New Organization Recognition / Registration Application: An Organizations that have not been active in the past year and demonstrate that they are unique from any existing organization mission and purpose.Requirements for New Organization Recognition include:

• Meets all requirements as re-activation
• 1 member completed New Organization Recognition workshop

 

Provisional Organization Status: An oranization that has submitted an incomplete re-activation or new organization recognition applications by the recognition deadline, but have completed Event Planning and Space Reservation for leaders. In order to be a provisional student organization, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete a SON application that consists of:

• Mission and Constitution
• Roster
• Point of contact for organization
• At least one member must complete Event Planning and Space Reservations for Student Leaderso Provisional organizations have limited access to resources and can only request table space.

The purpose the provisional status is to provide a period of time (Minimum of one semester) for groups to reach the minimum requirements to be fully recognized. Provisional student organizations may apply for full recognition during the following semester’s recognition period. Organizations that fail to meet one of the three recognition statuses are not eligible to reapply for recognition until the following semester.

Organization Registration

Why should I become a recognized organization?

As a recognized student organization, you have privileges and benefits supported by the University. Some of these include:

• The ability to reserve meeting places on campus and to set up displays in various locations around campus.
• The University’s name and purchasing power behind your organization.
• The ability to apply for funding through the AUCC or other governing board.
• Advertising throughout campus.
• An email account for your organization with the AU domain name.
• Eligibility to participate in the Fall and Spring Student Involvement Fairs.
• Support and guidance in your program and event planning from an expert team of Student Activities staff members who are WONKs in their field.
• You may also have additional support from a national organization to help offset event costs, mitigate and manage risk and brainstorm programming ideas and opportunities.
• Management and support of an organization financial account through the University.
• Discounts through hundreds of University preferred vendors to meet the needs and demands of most student organizations.

See the benefits!

Does my organization have an advisor?

Yes. Each organization has a student activities appointed staff member that serves as an advisor as well as at least one organization selected faculty, staff or alumni advisor.

Selecting a faculty, staff or alumni advisor is an important decision. Talk with your group about your expectations for an advisor. Make a list of potential candidates and speak with them. Let them know your expectations and talk with them about whether they are interested. Don't put them on the spot and insist they let you know immediately; instead, suggest they take some time to think about it.

 

Responsibilites of an Advisor

How does my organization work with our Advisor?

At the beginning of each academic year, sit down with your faculty, staff or alumni advisor to:

• Discuss your organizations expectations and plans for the upcoming year
• Highlight things with which you would like their advice or assistance
  
• Give them updated contact information and any concrete dates you have planned for the upcoming year 

Make sure they know how to get in touch with you.

• Talk about how frequently you will remain in touch and make plans for your next meeting.
  
• Keep them in the loop on your organization's plans and ideas. Some organizations like to send update emails, others set up weekly or monthly meetings and others call on a regular basis. Use whatever method works best for you and your organization – but keep your advisor current!
  

Role of your Advisor

Are there things my organization does where we must involve our advisor

Yes. First, make sure you understand Student Activities policies and procedures. Take the time to ask questions and share ideas or concerns with your Student Activities advisor. The more your advisors know about your organization and your organization's activities, the better they are able to help you. Another important thing to remember is that the earlier you share your plans with your advisor, the more helpful they can be. They can often make events come together if they have advance knowledge of the activities. With less time, it becomes more difficult.  

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