Forming New Organizations
Step 1 – Attend an Optional New Student Organization Information Session
New Student Organization Information Sessions are designed to create a space for undergraduate students to meet with Wilson Commons Student Activities (WCSA) staff to gain more information, and ask questions related to starting a College Student Organization.
- New student organization information sessions for this academic year have concluded. Any questions should be referred to wcsa@rochester.edu.
Step 2 – Submit a New Organization Proposal
New Organization Proposals are accepted once the Fall Activities Fair concludes, through Sunday, November 27th. Proposals received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
- All non-returning (e.g. graduating seniors, exchange students) and First-Year students cannot submit a New Organization Proposal.
- Student Organizations which were derecognized during the 2021-2022 academic year cannot apply for re-recognition until the 2023-2024 academic year.
- At least six (6) undergraduate students must be interested in being a member of your proposed Organization. Of these six (6) students, at least half must be returning students. The submitter of the New Organization Proposal does not count towards the six (6) required. All Intent to Join submissions must be received within seven (7) days of the proposal submission date. If the minimum number is not met, the proposal will be denied.
- Proposed Community Engagement organizations are encouraged to reach out to the Community Service Network for additional resources.
Step 3 – Proposal Review Period
Once you have submitted your proposal, the leadership groups for both the Administration & Review Committee (ARC) and Students’ Association Appropriations Committee (SAAC), meet to determine if more information is needed before the proposal is reviewed by the Student Organization Review Board (SORB).
If more information is needed, a WCSA admin will reach out through CCC’s chat feature to invite you to one of SORB’s regular meetings. SORB is a medium sized committee, composed of six (6) students and four (4) University staff members. Together, they meet to review New Organization Proposals, Constitution Update Requests, and other Student Organization related items.
Step 4 – Approval Process
If your proposed Organization receives recognition, the submitter will receive an approval notification from CCC, and an email from the SORB Administrative Lead. The following three steps must be completed within a week of receiving the notification of approval:
- CCC: Familiarize yourself with CCC, as this is the official resource for Student Organizations.
- Constitution: Your proposed Constitution will be reviewed alongside your proposal. If no changes need to be made, the ARC Chair will sign, and request the President of the Organization to sign the Constitution as well. Once all signatures have been collected, the Constitution will be uploaded to the Constitution & Resource Agreement Academic/Professional Organizations are encouraged to connect with the Greene Center, while all other Organizations are encouraged to connect with iZone when writing their mission statement.
- Resource Agreement: All College Student Organizations receive a Resource Agreement, and are signed alongside the Constitution.
Step 5 – Review Resources
- Meet with your Advisor: Schedule meeting with your assigned advisor.
- Meet with your ARC Analyst: Schedule a meeting with your ARC Analyst to discuss best practices, resources, and review the Student Organization Handbook.
- Visit or Contact the Student Organization Finance Office (SOFO): Visit the SOFO office to learn how to access funds for a general interest meeting, supplemental funding, and the budgeting process.
- Become Familiar with the Activity Reflection Form: Complete an Activity Reflection Form for any activities that occur following your recognition, including general interest meetings (GIMs).
Resources
Review Student Organization Criteria