The purpose of registered student organizations at UGA is to complement academic programs of study and to enhance the overall educational experience of students through development, exposure to, and participation in social, cultural, intellectual, and recreational activities. Registration of student groups is necessary before university facilities and/or services (including access to funding) will be available. Registration is facilitated through Engagement, Leadership, and Service.

Registration as a student organization at the University of Georgia is a privilege and not a right, and entails responsibilities on the part of the student organization and its members. Registration signifies a willingness on the part of the student organization to comply with state law and the rules, regulations, and policies of the University and the Board of Regents. Registration of a student organization does not constitute endorsement by the University or approval of the student organization’s policies and activities.

Registration as a student organization does not result in the student organization becoming a part of the University for any legal purpose. As a result, student organizations and their members could be individually liable for injury caused by the organization’s implemented activities. Student organizations should exercise risk management and liability mitigation practices.
Eligible student organizations (as defined below) are permitted to register and required to renew registration annually during the registration periods identified in the next section of the Policy.

The University’s review of a student organization’s initial registration or registration renewal is conducted on a content-neutral basis. Therefore, the University’s approval or denial of a registration filing is not based on the mission, goals, or beliefs of the student organization requesting registration. However, a student organization will not be permitted to register or renew its registration if the University finds that the student organization:

1. Seeks to accomplish its objectives, goals, purposes, or activities through the use or promotion of violence; or
2. Engages in activities that materially or substantially interfere with the discipline and normal activities of the University or with the rights of others, including activities that present a danger to property, personnel, and/or the orderly functioning of the University; or
3. Seeks personal gain; or
4. Refuses to comply with federal or state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Board of Regents’ policy, and/or University rules and regulations, including the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct.

In addition to a student organization’s obligation to comply with these four basic requirements, a registered student organization may have its registration denied or revoked at any time for failure to comply with any of the expectations and obligations set forth and/or referenced in this Policy. Factors the University considers in a decision to deny or revoke a student organization’s registration would include, but would not be limited to, the following:

• Failure to provide all necessary registration information to Engagement, Leadership, and Service;
• Individual members’ past conduct, the student organization’s past conduct, or the student organization’s stated objectives, to the extent any of the foregoing indicate an unwillingness or inability to comply with the four basic requirements for registration outlined above;
• Failure to meet financial obligations to the University;
• Failure to, or a stated intention not to, adhere to University rules, regulations and policies; and
• Failure to, or a stated intention not to, adhere to local, state, or federal laws.

A student organization whose registration has been revoked loses all privileges of registered student organizations. If registration is denied or revoked by Engagement, Leadership, and Service, the student organization may appeal the decision to the Associate Dean of Students, unless the denial or revocation was initiated under the Code of Conduct, in which case appeals would be handled in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Definition of a Student Organization

• Basic Requirements: A student organization is a group of at least six UGA students joined together for a common purpose.
• Membership Requirements: General membership may be comprised of both full- and part-time UGA students.
  • At least two members must be officers.
  • Only students who have paid their Student Activity Fee may serve as officers.
  • Community members are not considered members of the organization and are not authorized to receive the benefits of membership in a registered student organization.
• Advisors: While it is not required, it can be beneficial for student organizations to have one or more advisors, who may be University faculty or staff. Should a registered student organization select a community member to serve in an advisory role, it is understood by the organization that the community member will not be recognized by the University of Georgia.

Benefits of Registering Your Student Organization

Registered student organizations enjoy the following privileges and benefits:

• Being listed as a student organization on the Involvement Network and having access to promote events, share news, manage your roster, etc.
• The ability to reserve space on campus, such as the Tate Student Center, the Miller Learning Center, and the Chapel.
• Fundraise on campus (upon approval).
• Apply for storage space through Engagement, Leadership, and Service.
• Advertise on campus, e.g., posting flyers on approved posting locations, printing bus cards, and hanging banners in compliance with posting guidelines.
• Eligibility for a UGA organizational email address.
• Eligibility for a website through the University.
• The ability to establish a University account with the Student Affairs Business Office, which may enable your student organization to direct bill certain charges.
• Opportunity to participate in the student engagement fairs.
• Post events and receive updates via the weekly student organizations listserv.
• Apply for funds through the One-Time Allocations process (coordinated by the Student Government Association), the annual All-Campus Allocations process, or academic college or student affairs department, if applicable.
• Increase leadership skills through workshops hosted by ELS.
• Utilize ELS staff for general organization advisement.

How to Register a New or Existing Organization

Student organizations must register annually with Engagement, Leadership, and Service in order to receive the benefits of being a student organization. Registration for the upcoming academic year will open during the preceding spring each year. Approved registration allows a student organization to be active for one academic year, contingent upon compliance with the expectations and obligations set forth in this manual.

Requirements of Registered Student Organizations

• • Registration: Student organizations must register using the online registration process found on the Involvement Network at http://involve.uga.edu. The registration process must be completed by a student organization’s chief officer (e.g. president, executive director, etc.) as required by ELS.
  • Good Financial Standing: The student organization must be in good financial standing with the University (i.e.: must not have any outstanding fees with an office or department on campus).
  • Governing Documents:
    • Each student organization must have an ELS-approved constitution.
    • The constitution serves as the guiding document for governing the student organization.
    • To gain approval by ELS, all constitutions must include the following:
  • • • The University of Georgia student organizations’ “Non-Discrimination Policy”: “Membership and all privileges, including voting and officer positions, must be extended to all students without regard to race, color, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Membership and all privileges, including voting and officer positions, must be extended to all students as stated in the University of Georgia Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
        • Notwithstanding the foregoing:
          • Religious student organizations will not be denied registration solely because they limit membership or leadership positions to students who share the same religious beliefs.
          • Student organizations which qualify as social fraternities or sororities under Title IX of the U.S. Education Act Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681(a)(6)(A)) will not be denied registration solely because they limit membership or leadership positions on the basis of sex as permitted by Title IX and its implementing regulations.
      • Quorum standards (percentage of members necessary to conduct business)
      • Statement expressing that only students who have paid their Student Activity Fee may serve as officers
      • Officer election and removal procedures (specific vote requirements)
      • A process (including voting requirements) for making amendments to the constitution
      • An example constitution can be found on the ELS Website.
      • Submission of a registration request verifies that a student organization has reviewed and agrees with the following University policies, in addition to other University rules, regulations and policies that may be applicable:
      • Code of Conduct
      • Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
      • Trademark Policy

    Post-Registration Process

    After completing the registration process on the Involvement Network, Engagement, Leadership, and Service will review the submission. You will receive confirmation of your organization’s status via the Involvement Network. If changes need to be made, Engagement, Leadership, and Service will inform the primary contact via the Involvement Network with detailed instructions. Please allow ELS up to ten business days to process any changes to your registration submission.

  • Organizations are not considered registered until Engagement, Leadership, and Service approves the registration with an official email message sent through the Involvement Network, at which point the student organization will be listed on the Involvement Network.

  • Updating Your Constitution

  • Registered student organizations operate under the constitution most recently approved by Engagement, Leadership, and Service. Organizations may request to update their constitution on file at any time by completing the Organization Constitution Update Request. Please allow ELS up to ten business days to review your request. If changes need to be made, Engagement, Leadership, and Service will inform the primary contact via the Involvement Network with detailed instructions.

    The review and approval of an Organization Constitution Update Request is independent from the annual Organization Re-Registration process. Required changes or approval for each process will be communicated via the respective Involvement Network form.

• Re-register your organization on an annual basis
• Ensure that all activities of the organization comply with local, state, and federal laws, as well as University policies and regulations
• Follow the Code of Conduct
• Refrain from hazing members or those associated with your organization
• Comply with the University’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
• Abide by the University Trademark Policy and follow the logo Approval Process
• Ensure that all solicitation and fundraising requests are in line with the University Solicitation Policy and have been approved by ELS
• Register any program/event involving minors per the Policy for Programs and Activities Serving Minors
• Accept responsibility for sponsoring and supervising programs run by your student organization
• Accept responsibility for ensuring that facilities are used in accordance with University policy
• Accept responsibility for reimbursing the University of Georgia for damage to University property or facilities including such items as clean-up costs, damaged property, or other contingencies related to the utilization of University facilities
• Be in good financial standing with the University by promptly handling any outstanding debts to offices or departments
• Maintain active, up-to-date files with Engagement, Leadership, and Service, including, but not limited to, membership roster, constitution, and related registration materials
• Be familiar with the rights and responsibilities outlined in this Student Organization Manual