Start a New Organization

Are you interested in starting a new student organization at CSUSM? Follow these steps to get started! These steps will guide you through the process to establish a new student organization for the following semester. 

Note: Sport Clubs are only recognized in fall semester of each year. The recognition process for these organizations must be initiated in the Spring term of the current academic year for activation the following fall. 

Before you start: Check out our existing student organizations! An organization that fits your interests might already exist.

Student Organization Directory

Initial Steps

• Step 1: Form a roster of at least five members.
   

  • Official recognition of a student organization requires a minimum of five students who are currently enrolled in at least one class. 
  • Your organization roster must include a President and Treasurer who meet the Officer Requirements listed below. 
• Step 2: Find an advisor.
  • Your organization must have a designated advisor who is a CSUSM faculty or staff member.
  • Auxiliary staff members (ASI, Housing, Dining Services, University Bookstore, etc) may not serve as advisors to student organizations.
• Step 3: Complete the Intent to Organize Form.
  • The Intent to Organize form collects basic information for your organization, including the organization name, purpose, roster, and advisor.
  • The form is available at the link below on Tukwut Trax (Presence), the portal for Student Organizations at CSUSM. 

  Intent to Organize Form

• Step 4: Meet with the Coordinator of Student Involvement to discuss the purpose and goals of your organization.

  After submitting your Intent to Organize Form (Step 3), you must schedule a meeting with the Coordinator of Student Involvement to discuss your vision for yourorganization and get help with any questions you may have. 

  Schedule a meeting

  If you would like to request a meeting outside of the Intent to Organize period, please contact studentorg@csusm.edu.

• Step 5: Create a Constitution and Bylaws to govern the organization.
  • You can use this Model Constitution to begin drafting your organization's document.
  • Open the document, edit the highlighted sections as-needed for your organization, and then save a copy.

  Model Constitution

• Step 6: Complete the Organization Registration.

  After completing steps 1-5, you will receive a link to complete the Organization Registration to provide additional details about your organization. 

• Step 7: Complete the Student Organization Officer & Advisor Agreement.
  The President, Treasurer, and Advisor of your organization must all complete the Student Organization Officer & Advisor Agreement for your organization to be officially recognized and permitted to use your Student Organization bank account. 
• Step 8: Attend and complete mandatory trainings.
  See below for details on mandatory trainings required for Student Organization officers. 

Officer Requirements

Per CSU Coded Memorandum AA 2012-05, all Presidents and Treasurers of recognized student organizations are considered Minor Student Officers. As such, the Student Leadership & Involvement Center will verify that each President and Treasurer:

1. Is matriculated (degree-seeking) and enrolled at CSUSM.
2. Maintains a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 each term. (Specific organizations or councils may institute higher minimum GPA requirements) 
3. Is in good standing with the University and not on probation (academic or disciplinary) of any kind.
4.  Is earning at least six semester units while holding office, as undergraduates. Graduate and Credential students must earn at least 3 semester units while holding office.
5. Is limited to 150 semester units or 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree objective, whichever is greater. Graduate and Credential students are allowed to earn a maximum of 50 semester units or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential objective, whichever is greater.

Failure to meet these requirements will result in removal from office and could risk the recognition status of an organization.

Mandatory Trainings

• Student Organization Leader Online Training
  • Your Organization President and Treasurer must complete the Student Organization Leader Online Training module on Tukwut Trax (Presence).
  • The Online Training will cover foundational policies and information related to student organizations.
• Spring Student Organization Leadership Conference (Spring SOLC)
  • One of your organization's officers (President or Treasurer) must attend the Spring Student Organization Leadership Conference.
  • SOLC will provide training on the basics of running a student organization, covering topics such as event planning, managing your organization funds, leadership strategies, and more!
• Student Organization Leadership Academy
  • One of your organization's officers (President or Treasurer) must participate in the Student Organization Leadership Academy during the Spring semester.
  • The Student Organization Leadership Academy offers a deeper dive into leadership, organization development, event planning, and more to help you take your organization to the next level!