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Student Organizations - Common Questions

​I want to start a new organization on campus. What do I need to do?

1. Set up an appointment with the Director of Student Activities, Commuter Services& Leadership Development. During this meeting be prepared to discuss what your interest group's mission/goals will be. Have a full-time faculty or administrative staff member committed and willing to be the interest group/organization's advisor. 
2. The University of Findlay requires all interest groups, organizations, honor societies, social societies to have an active full-time faculty or administrative staff member committed to the adviser's position in order for the interest group/organization/honor society be recognized as active on campus. 
3. During the meeting you (the student representative) will be given an "Interest Group Registration/Petition" form. 
4. Directions will be provided regarding the completion/submission of this form.  

What is a student interest group? 

An interest group completes and submits a registration/petition to the Office of Student Activities, Commuter Services & Leadership Development. This provides documentation to The University of Findlay that the group wishes to  be active on campus. 

Upon approval of the petition, the interest group may continue steps required to become recognized as an official organization on campus. Until official recognition is granted the group remains an "interest group".    

What benefits do student interest groups have? 

1. Permitted to advertise upcoming meetings and events on campus 
2. Permitted to recruit new members 
3. Permitted to reserve space on campus to host meetings & events
4. May apply to host fund raisers 
   
5. May participate in the annual Student Organization Fair  
   

What is the process to become a recognized student organization?

1. A recognized student organization must complete phase one "Interest Group Registration/Petition"(IGR/P) form 
2. After the IGR/P is approved, the group submits a constitution to the Office of Student Activities, Commuter Services & Leadership Development. (The constitution submitted must include the identical mission statement that is on the "Interest Group Registration/Petition" form.)
3. When the constitution is turned in, an office representative in the Office of Student Activities, Commuter Services & Leadership Development will copy the constitution draft to be filed in the Student Activities Office. The original constitution will be forwarded  to the Student Government Association's (SGA) Sergeant at Arms for review. If no corrections are needed, the Sergeant at Arms will communicate this with the student organization and with SACSLD in written form for records that the constitution has been approved. 
4. If corrections are needed the Sergeant at Arms will notify the interest group regarding any corrections, revisions or additions that are required in writing.
5. If revisions are required, the interest group must make revisions and re-submit a new "revised" constitution to the Office of Student Activities, Commuter Services & Leadership Development.
6. The revised copy must be documented as such on the first page i.e.: "Revised August 9, 2012"
7. A copy of the revised constitution will be made by a Student Activities representative and the original will be forwarded on to SGA's Sergeant at Arms for review.
8. This process continues until Sergeant at Arms' committee approves the constitution. 
9. Once the constitution is approved, Sergeant at Arms will notify all parties involved in writing.
10. A formal letter along with a certificate with UF's seal will be forwarded on to the newly recognized student organization. 

What are the benefits to being a recognized student organization on campus?  

1. UF Recognized student organizations that are open to all campus enrolled students and follow all SGA's requirements regarding budgetary procedure qualify for funding through SGA. 
2. UF recognized organizations qualify for a student organization mail box on campus.
3. UF recognized organizations may apply for web advertising/promotion services. 
4. UF recognized organizations may advertise events on campus. 
5. UF recognized organizations may reserve location on campus for events.
6. UF recognized organizations qualify to fund raise on and off campus (using the application process).
7. UF recognized organizations may nominate students for awards on campus.
8. UF recognized organizations may apply to host programming during "Welcome Week".
9. UF recognized organizations may register to participate in the "Student Organization Fair".
10. UF recognized organizations may qualify for organization awards through "A Night Among the Stars" awards ceremony. 

Are there student organizations recognized by The University of Findlay and not SGA? 

Yes! Some national honor societies within colleges, networking societies within colleges, and social societies within colleges hold national charters.

Those organizations register with the Office of Student Activities, Commuter Services & Leadership Development as active. 

The University of Findlay recognizes them as an approved organization once a copy of the national charter and constitution is submitted with all other required paperwork.  

Do these organizations qualify for funding through SGA? 

No. Organizations that are private, open only to specific majors or a select few on campus do not qualify for SGA funding.  

What are UF recognized/ non-SGA recognized student organizations' benefits on campus? 

1. Qualify for a student organization mail box on campus
2. May apply for web advertising/promotion services
3. May advertise events on campus 
4. May reserve location on campus for events
5. May qualify to fund raise on and off campus (using the application process)
6. May nominate students for wards on campus
7. May apply to host programming during "Welcome Week"
8. May register to participate in the "Student Organization Fair" 
9. May qualify for organization awards through "A Night Among the Stars" awards ceremony 

All procedures and policies communicated by the offices of Student Activities, Commuter Services, Leadership Development and Student Government Association must be followed in order to receive and maintain The University of Findlay student interest group/organization recognition. 

 For information regarding existing organizations/interest groups or starting a new student interest group/organization call: