California State University San Marcos

Center for Student Involvement

PROCEDURE FOR CHARTERING NEW CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The recognition of student clubs and organizations at California State University San Marcos is governed by policies and procedures established by the State of California, the Committee of Trustees of California State University, and the President of CSU San Marcos. Clubs and Organizations application for on-campus recognition will be reviewed in terms of both their congruence with the educational mission of the campus and the level of risk involved for both the students and the campus.

Groups wishing to be recognized for the first time must follow the following steps:

Step 1: Intent to Organize

Complete the Intent to Organize a Student Organization Form and submit it to the Center for Student Involvement. An approved Intent to Organize Form provides you with organizational privileges for sixty (60) days. These privileges are listed in the Intent to Organize a Student Organization Form.

Step 2: Complete Recognition Process

Within the sixty days of receiving an approved Intent to Organize, complete and submit the following items to the Center for Student Involvement:

New Club Recognition Form

As part of this request, you must secure the names and social security numbers of at least 5 currently enrolled students who agreed to be members of the proposed organization.

Club Advisor

All student organizations must have a CSUSM faculty/staff advisor; You must have the advisor's name and signature on this form.

Officers List

You must complete the Student Organization Application Card listing all the information requested and signed by the club president.

Constitution

Each recognized student organization at CSUSM must have a constitution which defines its structure and operating procedures. The constitution must be submitted to the Center for Student Involvement as part of the recognition process. A sample constitution outline is provided for you in this packet to assist you in drafting your constitution. The sample illustrates the items normally contained in a student organization as well as the items that must be included to comply with policies of CSUSM and the California State University. This sample is provided only as a guide; it is the responsibility of the organization to determine how it wants to be operated. If your organization is affiliated with a local, state, or national organization, make sure you include their constitution with this package.

Step 3: After you complete the package

The completed application form will be submitted to the Associated Students Incorporated for a review and approval. Once the final approval or denial is made, the ASI-Executive Director will send a letter of acknowledgment to the initiating student.

Step 4: Meet with a Student Involvement Coordinator

At this meeting, we will review your constitution and recognition request, discuss the policies and procedures applicable to all student organizations at CSUSM and discuss the support available to the organization. An official recognition letter will then be sent to you from the Associated Students upon the completion of these steps.

Privileges of Clubs/Organizations

Recognized student organizations are afforded a variety of privileges, including the following but not limited to the right to:

1. Use of certain university facilities for meetings and events.

2. Register fund raising activities on campus within established guidelines.

3. Receive full or partial funding for specific events through ASI's Inter-Club Council.

4. Be assigned a mailbox in the Center for Student Involvement to receive mail and other notices.

5. Have voting membership on the Inter-Club Council.

6. Use CSU San Marcos' name in organization correspondence and publicity.

7. Receive limited coverage under Associated Students Incorporated liability insurance. (National Social Greek Organization members are not covered under the AS Insurance).

8. Use of designated bulletin boards for publicity.

9. Recruit membership on campus.

Your Responsibilities

Recognized club/organizations and their members represent the University and the Associated Students, and they have a responsibility to conduct themselves in such a manner as to give a favorable impression of California State University San Marcos to the public and to fellow students. In exchange for the advantage of having these privileges, the following minimum standards are required for all chartered organizations:

1. Club policies must be consistent with those of the Associated Students and university policies, purposes, and regulations, including regulations involving non-discrimination and hazing.

2. Select and maintain an authorized advisor from the CSUSM faculty or staff.

3. Schedule all social functions and meetings according to the approved procedure for scheduling events.

4. Maintain an active program and fulfill the purposes stated in the organization's constitution.

5. Assume responsibility for clean-up after on-campus events.

6. Submit to the Center for Student Involvement an accurate membership roster and list of officers and advisors at the beginning of each fall semester, and at other times if you have new officers or changed your club advisor.

7. File two copies of the most recent revision of the organization's constitution and bylaws in the Center for Student Involvement (one copy of the national constitution must also be on file in the case of national affiliation)

8. All officers and a majority of the members must be registered CSUSM students. Insurance coverage may be extended to only CSUSM students.

Loss or denial of club recognition

1. Organizations may be denied recognition or lose their recognition for causes following due process.

2. Loss or suspension of recognition can take place for a number of reasons, including:

a. Failure to submit officer registration forms by deadlines.

b. Violation of University policies and procedures.

c. Violation of financial responsibilities.

d. Not acting in accord with their own constitution or stated objectives.

e. Violations of California Educational Code, Title 5.

F. None coverage by ASI Insurance policy

Loss or suspension of recognition may be appealed to the ASI Executive Director for reconsideration.

Copyright © 1997 Center for Student Involvement. All Rights Reserved. This page is maintained by Gezai Berhane.