CAMPUS LIFE RECOGNITION AND AFFILIATION PROCEDURES

**Please review the following page as our recognition process has changed**

The Center for Campus Life currently recognizes over 300 student organizations! After reviewing the current list of all student organizations on campus found HERE, if there is not an organization that meets your interests, we welcome you to submit an application to form a new organization! The Center for Campus Life reserves the right to delegate recognition and affiliation review to the Student Organization Recognition Committee (The SORC), formerly known as the Club Review Board. The SORC meets monthly during the academic year to discuss new groups. The committee is composed of professional staff members and students that will review all applications received and make recommendations for recognition. Please review all information below before submitting a new application.

The President of RIT reserves the right to review all Applications for Club Recognition and Affiliation and make the final decision.

Application Process - Updated 4/3/2025

Thank you for your interest in starting a new student club or organization at RIT! Applications for the 2024/2025 are now CLOSED for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Please review the information below on what is needed to start a new organization. If you questions regarding the requirements, please contact our team at clubs@rit.edu for more information or if you would like to meet with a staff member.

**Social Sororities & Fraternities do not follow this process. To inquire about starting a new fraternity or sorority on campus, please review information on Expansion found HERE.**

Application Review Timeline

The Student Organization Recognition Committee will meet three (3) times during the fall and spring semester. Applications have now closed for the academic year and will re-open during the second week of classes for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Applications will be reviewed in tiers on a first come, first served basis so we recommend having your application submitted before the above dates if you would like your application reviewed when the committee meets for the month. While it is our goal to review all applications submitted prior to the meeting date, reviews will take place based on the number of applications received and the committee's ability to review them all.

Requirements

Name - If the organization wants RIT in its name, you must use the following naming convention "(Insert Organization Name) at RIT". We no longer accept "RIT (Insert Organization Name).

Minimum 10 members

E-Board (Minimum President & Treasurer)

Advisor (Current permanent full or part time faculty or staff member at RIT. This cannot be a staff/faculty member hired by a third party employer or adjunct professor) - except for Campus Life Affiliation applicants

Planned Future Meeting Times

3 Unique (different) Events planned

Completed Organization Constitution (Sample Constitution that can be used)

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.
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Additional Meetings

A meeting with a member of the recognition committee is only required if there are additional questions regarding activities of the organization. If a meeting is required, you will be contacted separately by the Club Administration Team to come in and meet with our staff. At the conclusion of the meeting, if there are additional action items needed (i.e. a safety plan, information needed from a nationally affiliated company, etc.). At the meeting you will need to announce who the advisor is (if applying for Campus Life Recognition), and you'll need to bring the list of ten names. If the group is approved you'll be contacted via email and next steps will be provided to you for how to set up the group.

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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.

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Your organization is approved! Here's how to get started:

Congratulations on becoming a recognized organization! After you've met all the requirements above, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about processes and policies by our monthly newsletter, access to training resources and materials, and getting to know all the amenities available as an organization!

Organization Denials Are Based Upon:

  • Conflict with any Local, State, Federal/RIT policies and laws
  • Redundancy with any existing organizations (active or inactive)
  • Limiting membership in any discriminatory fashion
  • Lack of information to clearly define purpose
  • Idea is in conflict with the spirit and direction RIT is going
  • Contribution to RIT community
  • No long term sustainability of organization (turnover, events, causes)
  • The ability for idea and mission of prospective organization to function without becoming Campus Life Recognized or Affiliated