Start a New Organization

Are you interested in starting a new student organization at CSUSM? Follow these steps to get started! Recognition for new organizations takes place in the fall semester of each year.

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

Student Organization Directory

Sport Clubs: If you are interested in starting a competitive Sport Club, please contact Student Organizations at studentorg@csusm.edu. 

New Org Interest Form

Initial Steps

• Step 1: Form a roster of at least five members (including a President and Treasurer)

  Official recognition of a student organization requires a minimum of five (5) students who are currently enrolled in at least one class at CSUSM. 

  Officer Requirements

  Your organization roster must include a President and Treasurer who meet the Officer Requirements outlined in CSU Executive Order 1068. SLIC will verify that each officer:  

  1. Is matriculated and enrolled at CSUSM.
  2. Maintains a minimum on-campus grade point average of 2.0 each term.
  3. Is in good standing with the University and not on probation of any kind.
  4. If an undergraduate student: is earning at least six semester units while holding office. If a Graduate or Credential student: is earning at least 3 semester units while holding office.
  5. If an undergraduate student: Has not exceeded 150 total units or 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree objective, whichever is greater. If a Graduate or Credential student: has not exceeded 50 total units or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential objective, whichever is greater. 
  6. Submits mandatory agreements and attends mandatory officer trainings conducted by SLIC.

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

• Step 2: Find an Advisor

  All student organizations must have a university advisor who is either a faculty member or professional staff member of CSUSM or one of its auxiliaries. Part-time faculty and professional staff (with the exception of graduate assistants and student employees) are permitted serve as advisors.

  A student organization Advisor must be willing to provide guidance and support to the organization above and beyond their duties as a CSUSM professional. Advisors are not required to be experts or have any professional knowledge or experience related to the specific mission and purpose of the organization. 

  Information for Advisors

• Step 3: Submit the New Org Interest Form

  When the New Org Recognition period opens, you must submit a New Org Interest Form to officially declare your intent to become a recognized student organization.

  New Org Interest Form

• Step 4: Meet with a SLIC staff member

  When the New Org Recognition Period opens, you must schedule a meeting with a SLIC staff member to discuss your vision for the organization, review next steps, and get help with any questions you may have.

  Schedule your Meeting

• Step 5: Submit a Constitution Form

  All recognized student organizations must have a Constitution & Bylaws document. To begin creating your document, open the form below and answer the questions according to how you want your organization to operate. A SLIC staff member will then provide a draft of your constitution for you. 

  Constitution Form

• Step 6: Complete the Organization Registration Form

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

• Step 7: Submit Officer/Advisor Agreement Forms.

  The President, Treasurer, and Advisor of your organization must all complete a Student Organization Officer/Advisor Agreement Form for your organization to be officially recognized. You will not be able to sign these forms until your Organization Registration Form (Step 6) has been approved.

  Officer/Advisor Agreement Form

• Step 8: Complete Online Officer Training

  The President and Treasurer are both required to complete Online Student Org Officer Training. Additional members of your organization may complete the training, but it is not required. 

  Online Student Org Officer Training

• Step 9: Attend the Student Organization Leadership Academy

  All new student organizations seeking recognition must send two (2) officers to attend the Student Organization Leadership Academy (SOLA). SOLA is designed to provide introductory leadership development training to prepare you to be an effective leader of your student organization. You will not be able to sign up for SOL until your Organization Registration Form (Step 6) has been approved.

  Register for SOLA

Benefits of Recognition

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

• Organization name listed in the student organization directory.
• An organization homepage on Involve, the official CSUSM student organization database.
• Use of university facilities for meetings and events.  
• Use of ASI Banking and Accounting services.
• Fundraising opportunities on campus within established guidelines.
• Use of the CSUSM name in organization correspondence and publicity.
• Ability to recruit members on campus.
• Use of mail services in the Student Leadership & Involvement Center (USU 3600)

Organizations must successfully complete the recognition process to access these benefits.