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: The recognition process for Sport Clubs must be initiated in the spring semester for activation the following fall. If you are interested in starting a Sport Club, please contact Student Organizations at studentorg@csusm.edu. 

New Org Interest Form: If you are interested in starting a new student organization, fill out the New Org Interest form below to officially notify SLIC of your interest in starting a new organization. We will follow up with you at the start of the next round of recognition!

New Org Interest Form

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 at CSUSM. 
  • 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, Dining Services, University Bookstore, etc) may not serve as advisors to student organizations.
• Step 3: Submit the New Org Interest Form.

  Submit the New Org Interest form below to officially notify SLIC of your interest in starting a new organization. We will follow up with you at the start of the next round of recognition!

  New Org Interest Form

• Step 4: Meet with the Coordinator of Student Involvement.

  When the New Org Recognition period opens, you must schedule a meeting with the Coordinator of Student Involvement to discuss your vision for the organization, review next steps, and get help with any questions you may have. 

  Schedule a Meeting

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

• Step 5: Draft a Constitution.
  • You can use the template below to begin drafting your organization's constitution.
  • 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 Form to provide additional details about your organization. 

• Step 7: Complete the Student Organization Officer & Onboarding Form.
  The President, Treasurer, and Advisor of your organization must all complete the Student Organization Officer & Advisor Onboarding Form for your organization to be officially recognized.
• 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

• Officer Onboarding Form
  • Your Organization President and Treasurer must complete the Student Organization Officer Onboarding Form.
  • The Onboarding Form will cover foundational policies and information related to student organizations.
• Spring Student Organization Leadership Conference (Spring SOLC)
  • The organization President and Treasurer must both attend the Spring Student Organization Leadership Conference.
  • Spring 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 (SOLA)
  • One of your organization's officers 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! 

   

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 Tukwut Trax, 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.
• Use of designated bulletin boards for 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.