How to Start a New Student Organization

  1. Advisor Meeting and The Handbook: Schedule an appointment with an advisor in Wilson Commons Student Activities (201 Wilson Commons) to discuss your organization and receive the Student Organization Handbook.
  2. Begin Registration Forms: Fill out the New Organization Proposal. You will need the names and class years of at least 12 members. Begin formulating the set up of your executive board.
  3. SA Policy & Review Committee: Submit the New Organization Proposal and contact the Chair of the SA Policy & Review Committee at sa_policy@u.rochester.edu to schedule a meeting with the committee. The Policy & Review Committee Chair will schedule a time to meet where you will discuss your organization. The committee will then review and contact you within two business days with their decision. At that time, it will also be determined whether your organization is eligible for funding.
  4. Preliminary Registration Period: Once you have received Preliminary Status from the committee, the submitter of the New Organization Proposal will receive an email from the CCC with a link to the New Organization Registration form and information on your Primary Adviser. You will then have 2 months on Preliminary Status to complete the following items. Failure to complete these may result in cancellation of Preliminary Status and its benefits.
    • Hold a General Interest Meeting: Advertising for this meeting can help to make students aware that your organization has been established. You may request up to $30 of New Organization Development Funds through your Wilson Commons Student Activities advisor.
    • Members: Try to expand your membership by recruiting more than the required 12 undergraduate students as prospective members.
    • Campus Club Connection: Familiarize yourself with the Campus Club Connection as this is the official resource for student organizations. Log onto the CCC and complete the public information about your organization, officer contacts, and member lists.
    • Constitution: You will be assigned a committee member in order to help create and finalize your constitution. Use the approved constitution format (doc) to help formulate your constitution.
  5. Return to the Policy & Review Committee: When the above tasks have been accomplished, contact the Policy & Review Committee Chair for final approval. Your organization will be required to meet with the committee once more. If approval has been given, your organization will be put on the Senate agenda.
  6. Appear Before Senate: At a meeting, the Senate will vote on whether to recognize your organization. If recognized, obtain signatures from the Speaker and a representative officer of your organization on your constitution. Upload your approved constitution to your CCC site and give a copy to the Policy & Review Committee Chair.
  1. Registration Form and Club Sports Manual: Receive a new organization registration form and copy of the Club Sports Manual from the Club Sport Advisor, Jeff Juron, in Goergen Athletic Center Room 2117.  The advisor will give preliminary approval to a potential new club sport by signing off on the new club sport registration form.  A copy of this form must then be turned into Wilson Commons Student Activities (201 Wilson Commons) in order for the process to proceed.
  2. Hold Interest Meeting: Arrange a meeting to gauge interest level for your group.  New group development funds for publicity, food, etc. for an interest meeting are available through Wilson Commons Student Activities.
  3. Mission Statement, Preliminary Constitution and Membership Roster: Turning in these completed forms to the Club Sport Advisor will allow you to continue the process of forming a new club sport.
  4. Arrange Meeting with Club Sport Caucus: Set up a meeting with the Club Sport Advisor for an audience with the Club Sport Council Caucus.  Be prepared to share the progress of your Club, along with the appropriate forms required.
  5. Find a Faculty Advisor: Find a staff or faculty member at the University who will have an interest in helping to guide your Club’s activities.  While this person need not attend all Club functions, they should be kept informed on major Club events.
  6. Elect Club Officers: Following your preliminary Constitution, hold a meeting to nominate and elect Club Officers.  Typically, a President, Business Manager and Club Sport Representative are the 3 major positions initially filled.  (See Club Sports Manual for descriptions).
  7. Campus Club Connection: Familiarize yourself with Campus Club Connection, as this is the official resource for student organizations. It can be found at ccc.rochester.edu.  Information on your club sport, membership lists, and officer contact information must be completed before Senate will approve the club sport.
  8. Appear Before Club Sport Council for Vote: The Club Sport Council will vote on extending an opportunity to become a full-fledged Club Sport.
  9. Appear Before SA Policy committee: When the above tasks have been accomplished, contact the SA Policy Committee for final approval.  They will want to see a copy of your constitution and a copy of the registration form with a signature from the Club Sport Council.  Once committee approval has been given, your club will be put on the Senate agenda.
  10. Appear Before Senate: At a meeting, the Senate will vote on whether to recognize your club.
  1. Community Service Network Meeting: Meet with the Community Service Network (CSN) Executive Board (csn.uofr@gmail.com) and the CSN Adviser, Glenn Cerosaletti (glenn.cerosaletti@rochester.edu) to discuss your organization.
  2. Begin Registration Forms: Fill out the New Organization Proposal. You will need the names and class years of at least 12 members. Begin formulating the set up of your executive board.
  3. SA Policy & Review Committee: Submit the New Organization Proposal and contact the Chair of the SA Policy & Review Committee at sa_policy@u.rochester.edu to schedule a meeting with the committee. CSN Executive Board representatives will attend this meeting as well to explain what interactions have already occurred between CSN and your organization and to explain any relevant community service specific details. The Policy & Review Committee Chair will schedule a time to meet where you will discuss your organization. The committee will then review and contact you within two business days with their decision.
  4. Preliminary Registration period: Once you have received Preliminary Status from the committee, the submitter of the New Organization Proposal will receive an email from the CCC with a link to the New Organization Registration form and information on your Primary Adviser. You will then have 2 months on Preliminary Status to complete the following items. Failure to complete these may result in cancellation of Preliminary Status and its benefits.
    1. Hold a General Interest Meeting: Advertising for this meeting can help to make students aware that your organization has been established. You may request up to $30 of New Organization Development Funds through your Wilson Commons Student Activities adviser.
    2. Members: Try to expand your membership by recruiting more than the required 12 undergraduate students as prospective members.
    3. Campus Club Connection: Familiarize yourself with the Campus Club Connection as this is the official resource for student organizations. Log onto the CCC and complete the public information about your organization, officer contacts, and member lists.
    4. Constitution: You will be assigned a committee member in order to help create and finalize your constitution. Use the approved constitution format (doc) to help formulate your constitution.
    5. Community Service Requirements: Familiarize yourself with and complete the CSN Preliminary Status requirements.
  5. Return to the Policy & Review Committee: When the above tasks have been accomplished, meet with the CSN Executive Board before contacting the Policy & Review Committee for final approval. Your organization will be required to meet with the committee once more, with CSN Executive Board representatives attending again. If approval has been given, your organization will be put on the Senate agenda.
  6. Appear Before Senate: At a meeting, the Senate will vote on whether to recognize your organization. If recognized, obtain signatures from the Speaker and a representative officer of your organization on your constitution. Upload your approved constitution to your CCC site and give a copy to the Policy & Review Committee Chair.