Recognized Student Organization (RSO) – are defined by these qualities:

• Membership and leadership comprised solely of students
• Must have a campus-based faculty or staff advisor
• Independent entities that receive benefits from the university by completing bi-annual requirements
• Formed in order to contribute to students personal development
• Functions are guided/directed by students

Departmental Co-Curricular Opportunities – are defined by these qualities:

• Primary functions of org operation are guided by the department/partnership
• Org could not function without the department/office
  • Faculty
  • Space
  • Oversight
  • Funding
• Student may serve in a leadership role
• Advising written into a specific faculty/staff job description
• Org could not exist without a specific faculty, department, office, or major
• Membership could be a mix of faculty, staff, students
• Department/Office assumes responsibilities
• Majority of members may be concentrated within major
• Exclusive membership via application/selection process because of major/affiliation with department selection/application process

Faculty-Led Honor Societies – are defined by these qualities:

• Groups are overseen by a faculty/staff
• Students invited but serve in no formal role of leadership
• Membership is a mixture of faculty, staff, students

Organization Categories

Academic/Professional: These organizations are focused on students in a particular discipline. Emphasis is on the knowledge, skills, and experience related to a particular field of study.

Media and Publications: These organizations provide media/publication services for and about the university and campus.

Cultural/Intercultural/Identity Based: These organizations are centered around the appreciation of a specific culture, race, ethnic group, or identity. They allow members to meet people with similar characteristics and may provide education to the community about their focus.

Fee-Based: These organizations are supported by the Student Activities Fee. *Due to the nature of groups student organizations cannot charter under this category without a pre-approved fee from the Board of Governors.

Arts and Entertainment: These organizations create an outlet for creativity and allow students to show off their aesthetic appeal.

Political and Activism: These organizations represent student interests in various political ideologies and activist causes.

Fraternity/Sorority Life: These organizations are social organizations that are affiliated with Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, or Inter-Fraternity Council. *Organizations must go through extension procedures via Union and Involvement Services.

Health and Wellness: These organizations promote healthy habits and work toward creating a desire to maintain a healthy life in society.

Honorary: These organizations provide recognition to students who have met certain eligibility requirements, which may include: GPA, leadership, academic program, etc.

Recreational/Sports: These organizations consist of members or teams who compete with each other and with other universities, and have some physical component.

Spiritual/Faith-Based: These organizations relate to particular religions or faiths.

Service: These organizations focus on providing service to the campus and community.

Social: These organizations strive to provide students with a social community or network.

Environmental/Sustainability: These organizations promote participation of students in learning about and working toward the conservation and sustainability of the environment, as well as enjoying the outdoors.

Special Interest: These organizations revolve around a particular activity or thought.