Student Organizations

New Student Organization Information Sessions are designed to create a space for undergraduate students to meet with staff to gain more information and ask questions related to starting a student organization. Information sessions for the Fall 2026 semester will be held on:

• 09/03/26 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. in Douglass 401
• 09/09/26 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. in Douglass 401
• 09/18/26 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. in Douglass 401
• 09/22/26 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. in Douglass 401
• 9/28/26 from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. in Wilson Commons 202 (Stackel)
• 9/30/26 from Noon - 1 p.m. via Zoom

The new organization proposal form will open on Tuesday, September 1^st, and close on Wednesday, September 30 at 11:55 p.m. Please note, new organization proposal forms are not accepted during the spring semester. If you believe an exception to this timeline is warranted, please submit an Exception Request for an ARC/SORB Policy.

Proposals submitted which violate any of guidelines below will be rejected:

• Non-returning students (e.g., graduating seniors, exchange students) and first-year students cannot submit a new organization proposal.
• An individual student may only submit one organization proposal during the proposal period.
• Student organizations which were derecognized during the 2025-2026 academic year cannot apply for recognition until the 2027-2028 academic year. An exception request may be submitted if you believe an exception to this policy is warranted.
• Organizations with a national affiliation must not establish a chapter until University of Rochester recognition is granted.
• Until granted recognition, the organization being proposed may not be advertised to students or departments as a University of Rochester student organization. For social media accounts and flyers, please use the verbiage "unofficial student organization" until recognition is granted.
• A minimum of twelve undergraduate students who intend to join and be active members of your organization must complete the intent to join form within seven days of the proposal's submission date. More than half of the submissions must be returning students, and the submitter of the proposal will count towards the minimum requirement.
  • The number of required active members will vary based on the resource needs described in the proposal. For example, more resources (e.g., finances, space, etc.) equal a need for more active members.
  •  If the minimum number of intent to join submissions is not met within seven days, the proposal is denied.

The mission statement listed in your proposal must match the mission statement submitted in the draft of your constitution. If you need assistance in writing your organization’s mission statement, we encourage you to look out for the Mission and Vision workshop provided by the Medallion Program.

All new organization proposals are reviewed by the Student Organization Review Board (SORB). SORB is a staff and student committee composed of four students and six staff members. Their voting representatives are as follows:

• Chair (only votes in the event of a tie)
• Director of Student Activities
• Manager of Finance and Administration
• Two (2) Student Activities Advisors
• Student Activities Administrative Coordinator (non-voting member)
• ARC Chair
• Student Government Senator
• Students’ Association Appropriations Committee Treasurer
• Campus Life Committee Chair

SORB will not review any proposals until after the form closes on September 30^th.  The board refers to the Student Organization Criteria when reviewing proposals. If SORB has questions while reviewing your proposal, the SORB Administrative Lead will reach out to you via CCC chat or email. The outreach may include questions that SORB would like answered before they complete their review or you may be asked to attend one of their meetings.

Once SORB has completed their review, they will vote to approve or deny the proposal. If your organization receives conditional recognition, the submitter will receive an email from the SORB Administrative lead outlining the next steps. Below is a list of items that will need to be completed within the given timeline in order to be officially recognized:

• CCC: The submitter is required to complete assigned CCC training and update public information about the organization, officer contacts, and member lists. 
• Constitution/Resource Agreement: The submitter is required to meet with their assigned Administration & Review Committee (ARC) Analyst to discuss best practices, resources, and finalize the constitution. The submitter is also required to review and sign their resource agreement and submit it to the SORB Administrative Lead. 
• Meet Your Staff Advisor: All organizations are assigned to a staff advisor. The submitter is required to meet with the assigned Advisor to discuss the next steps and review the Student Organization Handbook. 
• Visit the Student Organization Finance Office (SOFO): The President and Business Manager are required to meet with their assigned student-accountant to learn how to access funds for a General Interest Meeting, apply for supplement funding, and review the budgeting process.  Both members are also required to complete the Financial Training and Quiz.