Before submitting a new application

We are excited to accept new applications for the 2024-2025 academic year! Creating and managing a student organization can be very rewarding but also requires a great deal of responsibility. When starting an organization, it is important to reflect on the current need and purpose the organization will have for its members, the university and the surrounding community.

Certain types of organizations may require additional conversations and approvals from other campus departments as well as other additional recognition processes (i.e. yearly participation waivers, approvals from nationally affiliated organizations, etc.). Please note that not all applications received will be granted recognition based on various factors including but not limited to:

• A similar organization already exist (Do the activities of the organization overlap with other existing organizations?)
• Long-term interest and sustainability of the organization (What will the organization look like a year from now?)
• The use and need for available campus resources (i.e. finances, storage, reservation spaces, licensed coaches, etc.)
• Level or risk associated with the activities of the organization
• Organization activities that violate Federal, Local, and/or RIT laws, policies and procedures

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Questions to think about and address in the application:

• Why do you wish to be an organization?

• How will you sustain this organization? Do you see a long-term interest with this group?

• What do you hope the benefit of being an organization will be?

• What are you looking to achieve with this organization?

• Describe to us events and ideas you have for this organization.

Recruiting Members

To start a new student organization it is required that ten current RIT students are recruited to join your organization. You can do so by holding a general interest meeting to get students interested and to talk about your group. General interest meetings are defined as a meeting to explain the vision/mission of the organization looking to form. Interest groups have the ability to reserve a meeting location by contacting clubs@rit.edu. We allow up to 2 reservations in a meeting/classroom setting to hold an interest meeting. Once you have ten interested members and a full-time advisor (for Campus Life Recognition only), then you'll proceed to the next step. For help with advertising, email cclsomarketing@rit.edu with materials or to reserve a room to hold an interest meeting.

Please note:

• We do not permit unrecognized organizations to table for general interest and any request to do so will be denied.
• Meeting activity must follow all Campus Life and university policies.
• No service providers will be made available for general interest meetings.
• Space outside of the reserved meeting room provided will not be permitted.

Meet with the Clubs & Organizations Staff

If your organization is approved, you'll be required to meet with the Club Administration Team to discuss policies and procedures before any activity can occur. We can also help you set up your CampusGroups page, and provide resources available . From there your organization will learn what is required to maintain recognition status and tips to help ensure the success of the organization.

If your club is NOT approved there is an appeal process if interested – email clubs@rit.edu about this. If an appeal is not granted, organizations denied recognition are not eligible to apply for Pre-Recognition status for the period of one academic year.