Active Organizations
In order for Active Organizations to remain in “Good Standing” with the U&I, each Organization President must complete the following:
- Read and electronically sign the Organization Recognition Agreement in the Fall Semester.
- Complete the Organization Information Form in the Fall Semester
- Submit an OrgRoster for both the Fall & Spring Semesters
- Complete the online U&I Student Organization Workshop in the Fall Semester.
- Complete the Risk Management Workshop in the fall semester, and then again throughout the year IF there’s a new Risk Manager.The Risk Management Workshop is a digital workshop that appears on the risk manager’s Blackboard account.
- Submit the Organizational Advisor Agreement in the Fall Semester.
If these requirements are not fulfilled, the organization will be considered in “Bad Standing”.
When an organization is in “Bad Standing” they will not:
- have organizational information listed on the U&I Website
- have an organization mailbox
- have the ability to post flyers, chalk or otherwise publicize their events on campus
- be permitted to reserve rooms on campus
- be permitted to rent equipment through the U&I
- be able to receive funds from the Funds Allotment Council and other campus funding sources
- have access to copier/charging capabilities with the U&I
Inactive Organizations
If an entire organization’s membership graduates, it will be assumed by the U&I that the organization will no longer remain active on campus. Therefore, the organization will be considered “Inactive” by the U&I.
If organizations are in “Bad Standing” for 2 consecutive semesters, they will be considered “Inactive”. If an organization wishes to reactivate, the group must complete all steps of starting a new organization.
If an organization becomes “Inactive” it is not recognized by the University, and it is not granted access to the resources/privileges that come with University recognition.
In addition to the basic requirements set forth by the U&I, all students/student organizations are expected to abide by and uphold the Student Code of Conduct. Student Organizations that violate regulations set forth in the Student Organizational Code of Conduct will be held responsible for its actions which may result in sanctions with the University.
Any questions or concerns? Contact orgs@truman.edu for more information.
Status and Standing Guide
● Provisional Status – Student organization is participating in the RSO Chartering Process. The group is working on foundational documents and activities and progressing toward full charter. This status includes most of the rights/benefits of a fully chartered RSO.
● Active Status – Student organization is a fully chartered Recognized Student Organization and enjoys the full rights/benefits of an RSO. Once fully recognized, RSOs are responsible for maintaining updated information, rosters, and other records with U&I (see RSO standing below.)
● RSO Standing – Defines the status of an RSO, based on the level of compliance with required information and actions. RSO standing is defined as follows:
○ Good Standing: RSOs have submitted all required compliance documents. Compliance documents must be updated annually unless otherwise stated, and include the following:
■ Annual Recognition Agreement
■ Information Form (Change of Information if leadership changes occur)
■ Roster (due fall and spring semester)
■ Advisor Agreement
■ Other factors related to good standing:
● Financial obligations with the University, if applicable, are regularly paid in a timely fashion.
● RSO Advisors attend required Organizational Compliance Training on annual basis. If advisor fails to attend annually, the organization will need to identify a new advisor.
● Organization is not currently under investigation, facing allegations/charges, or under sanction(s) related to violations of the Student Code of Conduct and/or University policies enforced by the Institutional Compliance Office.
○ Bad Standing: If an organization falls into bad standing, U&I will suspend the rights/benefits of the RSO (i.e. space reservation, listing on website, etc.) until bad standing is remedied. A RSO falls into bad standing when they fail to submit any of the required compliance documents as identified above, within the designated schedule. Upon completion of all required outstanding items, the organization will promptly be placed back in ‘Good Standing’ with full RSO rights/benefits restored.
■ Other factors that may contribute to bad standing:
● Failure to honor financial obligations to the University (i.e. paying any outstanding balances, if applicable, in a timely manner – within 90 Days.)
● If an organization no longer has a campus advisor, the RSO may be placed into bad standing until someone has been identified and has complied with training requirements.
● Organization is currently under investigation, facing allegations/charges, or completing assigned sanction(s) related to violations of the Student Code of Conduct and/or University policies enforced by the Institutional Compliance Office.
● Inactive Status – An RSO that has been in “Bad Standing” for two consecutive semesters.
○ Organization contacts and advisor will receive written notification of current standing and shall have an opportunity to remedy their standing prior to “Inactive Standing” being implemented.
○ Organizational rights are suspended (including removal of the organization from the U&I website) until such time that U&I receives an application to re-establish the RSO through the Student Organization Chartering Process.
Organization Policies and Standards
*Violations of any Organization policies listed below must be resolved in order to proceed with the chartering process.
Policies and Standards
● The purpose of Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) is to provide opportunities for student engagement that are not reliant on a University Department/Office beyond a standard, student-selected organizational advisor.
○ Proposed organizations that are affiliated with a specific university department that may influence any aspect of group operations can consult here for next steps as this does not meet the definition of an RSO.
● All RSOs must have a Truman State University faculty or staff member serve in the role of Campus Advisor.
● RSO must be non-profit in nature.
● The leadership of RSOs must come from within the student body of Truman State University, not faculty/staff or outside entity.
○ Primary leaders identified on the application must be full-time, degree-seeking Truman students.
● Potential organizations will not be accepted if their mission or purpose represent a clear violation of local, state, and federal law. This will also extend to violations of University policies, including but not limited to the Student Code of Conduct, Institutional Compliance/Non Discrimination, etc.
● Proposed student organizations must have a university charter prior to obtaining national recognition including listing on national documentation or websites.
○ Proposals must disclose any external affiliations; provide the constitution and bylaws of any such organization with which it may be affiliated; and certify that all conditions for affiliation meet the standards of the university.
● Recognized Student Organizations that utilize off-campus sites for events and activities involving University students or organizations must make reasonable efforts to confirm that such off-campus locations make best efforts to ensure they are in compliance with university non-discrimination policy.
● The University is not responsible for any contract or the terms of any agreement entered into by an organization without proper authorization by a designated university official.
● Organizations who have been in “Inactive status” for more than one year will need to seek reactivation by completing a new application through the Student Organization Chartering process.
● Intentionally providing misleading information as part of this process may be considered a violation of university policy and may be subject to the university conduct process.
Additional Notes to Consider:
● Applicants are encouraged to research current RSO offerings prior to submitting an application.
● Applicant and organization leaders who are currently or anticipate receiving compensation in relation to the organization from a third party entity, not affiliated with the University must complete an annual compensation disclosure statement.
○ Applicants or leaders who receive compensation in relation to this organization will not be precluded from advancing in the process, or from serving in leadership roles within the organization.
● U&I staff will be available to assist groups may be struggling to advance through the process and to discuss options.
● The University is not financially liable for any student organization.
● University recognition does not express university endorsement or approval of the opinions, philosophy, behavior or objectives of the organization or its members.
● University recognition does not authorize the organization or its members to speak or act on behalf of the University.
● Student organizations may be required to provide proof of insurance when activities sponsored by the organization pose an enhanced risk of harm to participants.
● Any group looking to charter an organization under the fraternity and sorority life umbrella must work with Union and Involvement Services staff prior to submission of an application.
● Students interested in forming certain types of athletic organizations, or competitive club sports teams may face encounter additional complexities related to establishing and maintaining eligibility within the respective competitive league, and/or ensuring all NCAA compliance requirements are adhered to. As a result, primary contacts for these groups will be referred by the U&I staff to campus recreation/athletic staff(s) as appropriate for a consultation. U&I may require verification of this consultation prior to finalizing the group’s full charter.
● Questions about this process may be addressed to orgs@truman.edu. Members of the Organization Development Team monitor this email account and will respond to your questions. If you have concerns or questions that you feel uncomfortable addressing with U&I staff, please feel free to contact the Vice President for Student Life Office at stuaff@truman.edu.