Process for Becoming a New Recognized Student Organization

  • A group of students wishing to register an organization should consult with the Assistant Director of Student Activities located in room 214 of the Student Union.
  • An interest group wishing to start or reactivate a chapter of an IFC, NPHC, or CPC fraternity or sorority must contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life in room 100 of the Student Union.

The following steps should be completed:

1. Request Prospective Student Organization Packet in the Department of Student Activities & Organizations Office in room 214 of the Student Union. The packet will be emailed.


2. Complete the entire Prospective Student Organization Packet digitally. Use the provided checklist to ensure that all parts of the packet are completed. The checklist contains the following:
a. Prospective Student Organization Application
b. Proposed Constitution & Bylaws
c. Petition to Seek Official University Recognition
d. Advisor Agreement
e. Statement of Compliance with University Policies and Procedures
When completed, email the packet to the Assistant Director of Student Activities at jonesdb@nsula.edu.


3. Schedule a meeting with the Assistant Director of Student Activities to review the completed packet. This meeting is required and must be held before the packet can be forwarded to the Committee on Organizations.


4. Necessary revisions should be made and packet should be turned in before the provided deadline. The deadline is contingent upon the Committee of Organizations meeting schedule, which is once a month in the fall and spring.


5. Attend the Committee on Organizations meeting. Outcome of Committee on Organization meeting may be as follows:
a. Organization is approved
b. Organization is approved with revisions
c. Organization is disapproved
6. Committee decisions are then submitted to The Dean of Students who will make final approval decisions.

7. Correspondence will be sent to the prospective organization with the outcome of the Dean’s decision.

  • The Assistant Director of Student Activities and Organizations will serve as liaison between prospective student organization and the Committee on Organizations. The Committee will meet each month during the fall and spring semesters.
  • The Committee on Organizations will evaluate the request for recognition and make a recommendation to the Dean of Students.
  • The committee may require the petitioning group to resubmit any information with nonconforming or incomplete material. Prospective organizations may be denied registration if their purposes are within the scope of other currently recognized student organizations.
  • Once approved by the Dean of Students, prospective organizations will be allowed to register as a recognized student organization at Northwestern State University through the Orgsync Portal. Notification will be sent by the Department of Student Activities. This is a one-time process.
  • To maintain active status and continued recognition, organizations must follow the process for certification detailed in the previous section. A group not maintaining active status will not be approved to conduct programs and activities.

 

Please refer to the RSO manual located on the Department's website for more information regarding the rules & regulations regarding recognized student organizations. http://nsula.orgsync.com/Files

 

Helpful information:

  • Obtaining a RSO Checking Account

Student organizations wishing to open a bank account must apply for an Employee Identification Number (EIN) by completing the SS-4 form “Application for Employer Identification Number” published by the Department of the Treasury. (Student organizations should apply for and receive an EIN online at www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html.)

Once you receive this EIN from the electronic process above, your organization can use this EIN number to open a checking account. Organizations should not open a checking account using an individual’s social security number. The financial burden of that account then rests with that individual and they are solely responsible for the account if problems arise. When filling out the SS-4 form, simply leave blank lines 7a and 7b, which are not required for submission of the application.

Student organizations are not permitted for any reason whatsoever to use Northwestern State University’s EIN, tax ID or tax-exempt numbers for these same reasons.