Student Organization Registration Policy - Fall 2012
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Old Dominion University's philosophy is that "knowledge should be productive." Freedom of expression and freedom of association lead to a campus culture rich with diverse ideas. Accordingly, the university values the role student organizations play in enhancing campus life and contributing to student success. While the University encourages student organizations to develop services and programming that contribute to the achievement of the University Strategic Plan, it also encourages students to explore many options that are available on campus for the expression of student ideas and opinions. By affording appropriate opportunities for expression of all points of view, the University demonstrates its "value" for the uniqueness of the individual and diversity of its community.
All student organizations must:
a. register with the Office of Student Activities & Leadership each year. The registration of an organization implies neither University approval or disapproval of the aims, objectives and policies of an organization.
b. conform to University rules and regulations , applicable federal and state statutes, applicable local ordinances, and rules promulgated by University departments, programs, or other University entities,
c. establish purposes and functions that do not interfere with the achievement of the University's educational mission;
d. limit membership to full-time and part-time students of the University,
e. have an ODU faculty/staff advisor, and
f. inform the University of all affiliations and associations with any organization outside the institution.
Benefits for all student organizations:
a. Qualify for use of space (meeting rooms, programming space, etc) on campus
b. May bring in outside (non-ODU) speakers/programs
c. May use the university electronic communication system including electronic storage, email account, and ODU domain
d. May participate in recruitment fairs such as Main Street and other official university events
e. Will have a mailbox in OSAL, 1071 Webb Center
f. Qualify for advertising via university announcements, university calendar, chalking of university designated space, sign room resources, and other approved methods, in compliance with the University Student Organization Handbook and applicable University policy (Policy # 2201-Bulletin Boards and Posting of Materials).
g. Have access to university U-Center facilities including computers, conference room, photocopier and printer
h. May fundraise on campus, in compliance with the University Student Organization and applicable University policy (Policy #1600-Solicitation Policy). May attend officer/member training, leadership consultation, workshops and other developmental resources.
Student Organizations and University Recognition
Old Dominion University is committed to honoring the freedoms of expression and association, in a manner consistent with University policy (Policy #2201-Discrimination Complaint Policy and Procedures), as well as state and federal equal opportunity laws. Accordingly, a student organization must be open to all students without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or genetic information, or gender, in order to be eligible for recognition by the University.
1. Recognized Student Organizations are student organizations that do not limit membership based on the statuses as described above.
a. Recognition of an organization implies neither University approval nor disapproval of the aims, objectives and policies of an organization.
b. Recognition does not preclude honorary and professional organizations from restricting their membership on the basis of clearly established and published criteria that have been approved as part of the recognition process, provided they do not deny membership on the basis of the statuses as described above.
c. Recognized Student Organizations qualify to request for annual and contingency funds from the Student Government Association.
d. Recognized Student Organizations qualify to apply for student organization office space and/or storage space
2. Associated Organizations meet the definition of a student organization because they are registered with University Student Activities and Leadership. They are not eligible for recognition by the University because they limit membership based on the statuses identified in the University policy, federal and/or state law equal opportunity laws.
a. Associated Organizations are permitted to use University services, facilities and/or engage in activities on-campus, because they meet the other requirements as described above.
b. Associated Student Organizations cannot receive annual funding from SGA but might qualify for contingency funds for specific events or programs that do not restrict participation on the basis of any of the equal opportunity related statuses listed above.
c. Fraternities, sororities, honorary and professional organizations whose national organizations are exempt from Title IX in terms of gender-based membership, must furnish proof by letter from the National Office, in order to qualify for office space and/or storage space.
