This page is designed to assist students with the process of getting a new student organization recognized. Please keep in mind that the following steps are required. If you have specific questions regarding this process, please contact our office at 617-373-2642.
The deadline for creating a student organization for the 2009-2010 academic year is March 5, 2010. Be sure to complete steps one through five and obtain Tentative Recognition by that date to be considered for this academic year!
Step 1: Attend a New Student Group Workshop. You will learn all the basics and receive tips for getting your organization started, and will learn more about the process to become recognized. The remaining workshops for this year are as follows:
Please RSVP to g.delsignore@neu.edu
September 16, 2009: 5:00pm, 333 Curry Student Center
September 17, 2009: 7:30pm, Frost Lounge, Ell Hall
September 23, 2009: 12:00pm, 333 Curry Student Center
October 6, 2009: 5:00pm, 333 Curry Student Center
October 7, 2009: 12:00pm, 333 Curry Student Center
October 26, 2009: 7:30pm, Frost Lounge, Ell Hall
November 17, 2009: 7:30pm, Frost Lounge, Ell Hall
November 18, 2009: 12:00pm, 333 Curry Student Center
November 23, 2009: 5:00pm, 333 Curry Student Center
Step 2: Complete the New Organization Proposal Form. This form will give our office an idea on the nature of your proposed organization. It will help us ensure that the mission of your group is not too similar to other organizations, and will also aide us in determining if a letter of support is necessary for the establishment of the organization. In addition, our office will determine if Legal Counsel or Risk Management needs to be involved in the creation of your organization. If that is the case, our staff will notify you and will work with you on the process.
Step 3: Begin the search for a full-time faculty or staff advisor. In addition, begin to recruit students interested in your organization. Twelve committed members are required in order to establish an organization. Once you have all of these items in place, appoint or elect a president and a treasurer. Having trouble finding an advisor? Visit the Student Activities & Leadership homepage for information on our Advisor Match Social.
Step 4: Forms. Turn in two copies of the Organization Registration Form, a copy of the Membership Roster Template, and one copy of the signed Anti-Hazing Form. In addition, turn in the letter of support (if applicable).
Step 5: Preliminary Review and Tentative Recognition. Once all of the above criteria have been met, your group will be reviewed and granted Tentative Recognition. Tentative Recognition signifies that your organization is stable, and is prepared to begin working with the Student Affairs Board (SAB). SAB is a committee within the Student Government Association that makes the final recommendation regarding student group recognition.
Step 6: SAB One-on-ones. SAB will assign your group a member of their board to work with you on creating a constitution that guides the governance of your group. In addition, they will work to prepare you for the formal presentation.
Step 7: Presentation. Your proposed organization will make a formal presentation to SAB seeking their support and recommendation. If granted, Student Activities and Leadership will proceed with granting all the benefits of becoming a recognized organization!
Creating a new graduate student organization: Please contact ja.foster@neu.edu for more information on the graduate recognition process.
Restoring a now archived organization
Organizations become archived after they have missed two registration deadlines. In many cases, a similar organization that you are interested in may have existed in the past. If the most recent registration date for an archived group surpasses two years, the group will need to procced through the steps highlighted above. If the most recent registration was less than two years ago, the constitution needs to be updated, and new registration materials need to be completed.