Student Clubs and Organizations Policy

Policy Introduction

Student clubs and organizations, including Recognized Student Organizations, Fraternal (Greek-letter) Organizations and their governing councils, and Clubs Sports Organizations, play an essential role in the co-curricular life of Syracuse University. These student-led, student-initiated groups are formed for educational, professional, social, cultural, and recreational purposes and provide meaningful opportunities for leadership development, community building, and experiential learning. Participation in student clubs and organizations enhances students’ overall satisfaction with their University experience and contributes to lifelong skills, civic engagement, and personal growth.

This policy establishes the standards, definitions, characteristics, rights, and responsibilities for student clubs and organizations at Syracuse University. It affirms the University’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, safe, and inclusive campus environment while ensuring organizational accountability and alignment with institutional values.

Recognition of a student club or organization signifies that the group has met the University’s requirements for registration and is permitted to operate on campus; however, recognition does not imply University sponsorship, endorsement, or responsibility for the organization’s activities. Student organizations remain student-initiated and student-led. The University, through Student Engagement, the Division of Student Experience, and other campus partners, provides advising, training, and administrative support designed to help organizations and clubs achieve their goals while upholding University policies and community standards.

Whom This Policy Applies

The Student Clubs and Organizations Policy applies to all undergraduate and organizations and associated members seeking or maintaining recognition at Syracuse University, including:

• Agency Organizations
• Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs)
• Fraternal (Greek-letter) Organizations
• Club Sports Organizations

Policy Principles

1. Agency Organizations

Student-led groups and organizations that perform essential University-delegated functions that are essential to institutional governance.

1. Examples
1. Student Government Association (SGA)
2. University Union
2. Characteristics
1. Elevated funding level and availability and broad capability to allocate funding to meet the group’s goals and initiatives
2. Elevated accountability and transparency requirements
3. Annual performance review in partnership with Student Engagement
4. Required constitution and by-laws
5. Mandatory leadership training
6. Direct partnership with Student Engagement and the Division of Student Experience, including University-assigned advisement
3. Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is the primary representative body for undergraduate students at Syracuse University. SGA:

1. Allocates the undergraduate Student Activity Fee
2. Represents student interests to University leadership
3. Administers student elections
4. Oversees the Student Government Association Finance Board
5. Supports the recognition and funding of RSOs
2. Recognized Student Organization (RSO)

A student-initiated, student-led group formally recognized by Syracuse University to operate on campus, access University resources, and participate in campus life. RSOs are primarily comprised of undergraduate students. Recognition does not imply University endorsement or responsibility for the actions of the group. These groups are recognized through an annual agreement with and processes overseen by Student Engagement.

1. Examples
1. Cultural organizations
2. Academic and professional societies
3. Service organizations
4. Performance groups
5. Recreational and hobby clubs
6. Religious or faith-based organizations
2. Characteristics
1. Eligible for SGA funding
2. Must meet membership and officer minimums
3. Must maintain a faculty/staff advisor
4. Must comply with all University policies and meet all Student Engagement minimum standards and training requirements
3. Fraternal (Greek-letter) Organizations

Fraternal organizations at Syracuse University are defined as any group, social, service, civic, or professional in nature, that:

1. Utilizes Greek letters in its nomenclature; or
2. Maintains single-sex membership; or
3. Has organizational norms consistent with fraternal organizations, such as but not limited to:
   • Ritual ceremony of initiation
   • Membership recruitment and selection
   • Big Brother/Big Sister
   • New member organization
   • Wearing Greek symbols/letters
4. Is affiliated with a national or international fraternal and/or Greek-letter organization
5. Is overseen by the Greek Life staff within Student Engagement
6. Is a member of one of the Syracuse University Greek governing councils:
• Interfraternity Council (IFC)
• Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)
• National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
• Panhellenic Council (PHC)
• Professional Fraternity Council (PFC)

1. Examples
1. IFC fraternities
2. PHC sororities
3. NALFO fraternities and sororities
4. NPHC fraternities and sororities
5. MGC multicultural Greek organizations
6. PFC organizations
2. Characteristics
1. Eligible for SGA funding only for those events that are open to the University community
2. Overseen/governed by Greek Life staff in Student Engagement and inter/national headquarters
3. Required to meet Greek Life and Student Engagement minimum standards and training requirements
4. Subject to council governance and accreditation
3. Classification

Fraternal organizations are not classified as RSOs. They are governed under a separate recognition structure due to:

1. Inter/national risk management requirements
2. Housing and facility considerations
3. Council-based governance
4. Distinct conduct and accreditation processes
4. Club Sports Organizations

Student initiated, student-led organizations formed around a common interest in a specific sport or physical activity, providing opportunities for instruction, recreation, and/or intercollegiate competition.

These groups are focused on recreational and competitive activities and recognized through an annual agreement with and processes overseen by Competitive Club Sports with additional safety and risk requirements.

1. Examples
1. Competitive club teams (e.g., rugby, soccer, ultimate, rowing)
2. Martial arts and combat sport clubs
3. Outdoor and adventure recreation clubs
4. Club Sports Council
2. Characteristics
1. Not eligible for SGA funding
2. Overseen by Competitive Club Sports staff
3. Required to meet Competitive Club Sports and Division of Student Experience minimum standards and training requirements
3. Classification

Club Sports Organizations are not classified as RSOs. They are governed under a separate recognition structure due to:

1. Risk management requirements
2. Distinct competition and accreditation processes
3. Distinct funding and travel needs and requirements

Requirements for Recognition

1. Recognized Student Organizations

To obtain and maintain recognition, a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) must:

1. Re-register annually, meeting all expectations and conditions set forth by Student Engagement
2. Maintain a constitution and by-laws
3. Have at least eight (8) enrolled SU/ESF student members and four (4) officers
4. Secure a full-time faculty or staff advisor
5. Participate in all required training
6. Comply with the Student Conduct Code and all University policies
7. Maintain an accurate and up-to-date presence in ‘Cuse Activities
2. Fraternal Organizations

To obtain and maintain recognition, a Fraternal Organization must:

1. Re-register annually, meeting all expectations and conditions set forth by Greek Life and Student Engagement
2. Have at least four (4) enrolled SU/ESF student members and four (4) officers
3. Maintain membership minimums set by inter/national headquarters
4. Participate in Greek Life accreditation and training
5. Comply with council governance structures
6. Maintain risk management and housing standards (if applicable)
7. Maintain good standing with inter/national headquarters
8. Maintain an accurate and up-to-date presence in ‘Cuse Activities
3. Club Sports Organizations

To obtain and maintain recognition, a Club Sports Organization must:

1. Re-register annually, meeting all expectations and conditions set forth by Competitive Club Sports
2. Comply with travel, supervision, and event-safety requirements established by Competitive Club Sports
3. Limit participation to eligible SU/ESF students, consistent with University and facility policies
4. Maintain an accurate and up-to-date presence in ‘Cuse Activities

Rights of Student Clubs and Organizations

1. Recognized Student Organizations
1. Reserve University spaces
2. Request SGA funding
3. Use University communication channels
4. Host events on and off campus
5. Access leadership development resources
2. Fraternal Organizations
1. Access Greek Life advising and leadership programs
2. Participate in Greek council governance
3. Host events in accordance with Greek Life, University, and inter/national policies
4. Access University space subject to Student Engagement approval
3. Club Sports Organizations
1. Reserve University recreation spaces subject to availability and facility policies
2. Use University communication channels
3. Compete and travel under approved safety and risk management protocols
4. Access Competitive Club Sports advising and leadership development resources

Responsibilities of Student Clubs and Organizations


All student clubs and organizations must:

1. Uphold the Syracuse University Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities
2. Follow risk management, travel, and event policies, as well as all University policies and all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations
3. Maintain accurate officer and membership records
4. Submit annual re-registration renewal
5. Adhere to branding and naming guidelines
6. Maintain an accurate and up-to-date presence in ‘Cuse Activities

Fraternal Organizations must additionally:

1. Comply with inter/national organization policies
2. Maintain chapter accreditation
3. Follow Greek Life event registration and risk management protocols

Funding and Financial Oversight

1. SGA Funding Eligibility
1. Eligible: Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) and Fraternal Organizations
2. Not Eligible: Club Sports Organizations
2. Availability of Funding for Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs)
1. New organizations are eligible for limited funding
2. Established organizations with demonstrated programming success may participate in advanced and special programming allocation processes as outlined by SGA.
3. Availability of Funding for Agency Organizations
1. May receive direct University or SGA budget allocations due to delegated responsibilities.

Loss of Recognition


Student clubs and organizations may lose recognition for:

1. Failure to meet membership or officer minimums
2. Violation of University policies
3. Failure to re-register or renew relationship with Student Engagement, Greek Life, or Competitive Club Sports
4. Hazing or conduct violations
5. Loss of inter/national recognition (for Fraternal Organizations)

Responsibilities

1. This policy is administered by:
1. Student Engagement (Agency Organizations, Recognized Student Organizations, and Fraternal Organizations)
2. Competitive Club Sports (Club Sports Organizations)
2. The policy will be reviewed every three (3) years by Student Engagement in collaboration with partnering departments and offices.
3. University Management – Division of Student Experience (oversight and compliance)
4. Individual – Executive Director of Student Engagement

Record Retention

Records associated with the policy shall be maintained by the Responsible Office and retained or disposed of in accordance with University Records Policy and University Record Retention Schedule.

Compliance

The Office of Internal Audit, Office of Compliance, the Responsible Office of this policy, and others may audit, investigate, and assess compliance with this policy. Non-compliance with university policies is subject to progressive disciplinary action up to and including termination per university disciplinary policies.

Related University Policies and Resources

Definitions

Policy Administration and Responsible Office

Responsible Executive

Revision History