Student Organizations

With over 60 registered student organizations, there are numerous opportunities for involvement outside of the classroom. These organizations represent a variety of interests; from student government to social activism, from literary publications to Greek Life. Each organization’s contact person, advisor, and purpose is listed on the Student Organizations webpage.

Organization Registration Process

All student organizations are required to register each year with the Office of Student Activities. A letter will be sent via email to all student organizations during the spring semester outlining the re-registration process. This letter will contain links to the Signature Card, Application for Funding, and the Office and Cabinet Application. While organizations are not required to apply for funding or for an office/cabinet, the following requirements must be fulfilled for a student organization to be considered in good standing:

• The organization must complete a signature card for the current academic year, listing all authorized officers as well as an on-campus advisor.

• The organization must submit a current roster of active members 

• The organization must submit their current constitution

• The organization must have a an active, updated Lounge profile 

• Adhere to the Office of Student Activities timelines for student organizations (i.e.,  funding application, election cycles (Fall - Nov. 24)/ (Spring - Apr. 30), etc 

• At least one authorized officer must attend one of the Officer Workshop, which will occur on Monday, August 31, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. or Wednesday, September 2, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. 

  1. If an officer is unable to attend either workshop, the student organization is required to notify the Office of Student Activities prior to the second offered workshop. 

  2. The student organization will need to schedule a meeting with Noah Ramon, Coordinator of Student Activities, to discuss the relevant policies and procedures by Monday, September 7 by 5:00 p.m.. This meeting can be set up via the Student Activities email, studentactivities@southwestern.edu.

Benefits of Registered Organizations

• The ability to be recognized by Student Activities and placed on our website 

• The ability to reserve space on campus

• Funding, both regular and contingency

• Office or cabinet space

• Use of the printing/copy machine

• Use of university vehicles for trips (Driven by a SU faculty or staff member)

• Use of university equipment such as stages, audiovisual equipment, and catering

• Campus-wide communication and marketing (fliers, banners, chalking, etc.)

Creating a New Organization

If you are interested in starting a new student organization, you must first set up a meeting with a staff member of the Office of Student Activities. They will explain the process in detail and answer any questions you may have. New student organizations are approved through Student Activities. 

Advisors

All student organizations must have an active on-campus faculty or staff advisor to be recognized as a registered student organization. Faculty advisors who are on sabbatical are not eligible to serve in this role during their leave.

The Purpose of Having an Advisor

The knowledge, leadership, and guidance that an advisor can provide for your organization is priceless. An advisor can assist in designing and evaluating organization goals and activities. An advisor can help provide continuity and serve as a signatory on official forms. Also, your advisor will have more familiarity with the university and its policies and services.

What Benefits Does My Organization Get From Having an Advisor?

While it is a requirement that all student organizations must have an advisor to remain in good standing, a good advisor can be very beneficial. An advisor can assist in designing and evaluating organization goals and activities. 

Advisors also maintain continuity within the organization from year to year, providing a sense of history for your organization. All the organization’s files should be stored with the advisor to make sure that next year’s leaders can pick up right where you left off. Spending time reinventing the wheel can bring down an organization and lead to problems in the future.

Advisors act as advocates for students, so they can be a great resource for students. It is not the advisor’s role to take over the organization, but to help make the group the best it can possibly be. Student organizations have the opportunity to choose their own advisor, so they should choose someone that they will enjoy working with. Having a good advisor will help to increase membership, maintain a quality reputation, and establish loyalty among the organization’s members.

• The Organization's Responsibility to their Advisor

Lounge

Lounge is an all-in-one solution for student engagement. The platform combines a 5 star mobile app with an admin dashboard, giving students the tools they need to create the best possible student experience. 

To be considered a registered student organization and receive funding from The Office of Student Activities all student organizations will need to have an active and up to date Lounge profile. 

Benefits of Lounge:

• Complete event and organization management

• Includes officer elections

• Polls and chat feature 

• Easy way to check-in members to events

The Office of Student Activities will have trainings to get student organizations acclimated to using Lounge, and Lounge offers 24/7 customer support!