Official Recognition of Undergraduate Student Organizations Policy
Purpose
To establish guidelines for official university recognition of a student organization as well as outlining their rights and responsibilities for maintaining recognition.
Scope
This policy applies to all undergraduate students interested in forming a student organization for university recognition.
Policy History
I. Effective Date: January 10, 1994
II. Approval: July 27, 2026
III. History:
- Approved in its original form: January 10, 1994
- Approved as amended: January 3, 1996
- Approved as amended: September 5, 2000
- Approved as amended: January 22, 2013
- Approved as amended: February 27, 2014
- Approved as amended: September 26, 2024
- Approved as amended: July 27, 2026
IV. Maintenance of Policy: Associate Vice President for Student Development & Dean of Students, Student Development
Policy
To be officially recognized by the University the purpose and goals of a student organization must:
- Exhibit a clear relationship with the mission of the University by demonstrating a commitment to one or more of the following:
- recognition and/or promotion of academic achievement or enrichment of an academic discipline;
- recognition and/or development of professionalism in a particular field;
- promotion of education and awareness regarding current events and issues of justice, peace and the quality of human life;
- participation in or development of appreciation for the performing and visual arts;
- development of community in the context of an educational institution;
- promotion of service;
- promotion of athletic development and/or general wellbeing and healthy behavior;
- spiritual growth and development;
- promotion and development of cultural and cross-cultural/global diversity.
- Newly formed organization must have a minimum of five (5) currently enrolled University of Dayton undergraduate students. Only members of the University academic community are eligible for participation in a student organization unless written permission is received from Student Development.
- Student organization officers must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and be in good non-academic standing.
- Organizations must choose a full-time University of Dayton faculty or staff member willing to serve as an advisor. Upon appointment the advisor should be actively involved in the organization's programs and activities.
- A group should not duplicate the purpose and/or activities of an existing student organization.
- The University reserves the right to deny or defer recognition to any organization where the nature of its activities exceeds the University’s current administrative or physical capacity to manage, supervise, or support the group’s operations in a safe and sustainable manner.
- To ensure the integrity of the organization, the group must demonstrate that it has developed a sound constitution.
- Organizational constitutions must include an approved non-discrimination statement and an anti-hazing statement.
- The University reserves the right to deny or withdraw official recognition when in its judgment a student organization's purpose, goals and/or activities are in opposition to the mission and traditions of the University.
- The purpose, goals, and activities of the organization must adhere to the University's policies regarding non-discrimination and equal opportunity.
Privileges of Officially Recognized Student Organizations
Privileges of Officially Recognized Student Organizations will be established and published by the Center for Student Involvement no later than August 1 of each year for the upcoming academic year.
Forming Organizations
Students interested in forming and receiving official recognition for organizations whose purpose and goals are clearly related to the mission of the University as defined in the "General Recognition Criteria" are directed to find the procedures in the Student Organization Resource Guide.
Organizations seeking recognition within specific functional categories (including, but not limited to, academic organizations, club sports, religious/faith-based organizations, service and social action organizations, and values-based fraternities / sororities) must obtain formal endorsement and a commitment of support from the relevant University department(s) prior to receiving final recognition from the Center for Student Involvement.
Annual Re-Recognition Process for Established Student Organizations
All organizations must re-apply for recognition at the conclusion of each Academic Year. Specific procedures will be established and published in the Student Organization Resource Guide and re-recognition materials are due no later than May 1 of each year.
Responsibility for Enforcement, Remedies, Sanctions
The officers and members of officially recognized student organizations are responsible for adherence to all rules and regulations governing student behavior at the University of Dayton, rules and regulations governing student organizations established by the Center for Student Involvement, and to the mission, goals, and objectives of their respective charters, constitutions, and founding documents.
The officers and members of recognized organizations also have the responsibility for observing all federal, state and local laws and statutes. Violations of such laws and statutes either on or off campus will be subject to University disciplinary action in addition to any criminal or civil proceedings.
Organizations whose activities are in violation of rules and regulations governing student behavior at the University; rules and regulations governing student organizations; federal, state, local laws and statutes; or the mission goals and objectives of their respective charters, constitutions or founding documents are subject to immediate review of their officially recognized status. The University reserves the right to withdraw official University recognition and/or take disciplinary measures based on the findings of any such violations.
Appeal Process (if applicable)
Appeals to this policy should be made to the Assistant Dean and Senior Director of the Center for Student Involvement.