Starting a Student Group

All medical school groups are chartered through SILT, but require the approval of MSS before receiving a charter. Before your group receives approval for an SILT charter, you must present your constitution and projected annual budget to the MSS general body; only then may you submit your request to the SILT for approval.

The Medical Student Senate has THREE requirements for charters

All chartered organizations must:

1. Represent a unique mission within the MSS Division

2. Reflect positively on Emory University and the School of Medicine

3. Send a representative to a monthly MSS meeting to propose a tentative budget before submitting for Conditional Charter

The basic steps for chartering:

1. Check the medical student organizations page to make sure that there isn't already a group like the one you are interested in starting.

2. Submit the following to the (MSS VP Administration)

   1. A written constitution for your organization.

      1. Medical student organization constitutions must include the following non-discrimination clause, republished from EUSOM Student Handbook: "This organization will not tolerate discrimination against or harassment of any individual or group based upon race, color, religion, sex, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran’s status, political orientation or beliefs, or any factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law."

   2. Club Advisor, Leadership, and Membership Roster Form (Available here)

      1. A listing of the current leadership for the organization, with contact information. President, Treasurer, and one other officer are the minimum.

      2. Membership roster, including the 7-digit student ID numbers for students. At least 10 members are required.

      3. Name and contact information for the club advisor (this must be a faculty member).

3. Attend the next MSS Meeting to present your plans for your new student group. (check the calendar)

4. If approved by MSS, please submit your request to SILT via the Hub @ Emory HERE.

   1. Note - you have to log into The Hub @ Emory first. If having difficulty with the link, try to follow this link https://emory.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations , click “log in” in the top right corner, and then click on the “register an organization” button on the “organizations” tab.

5. Await final approval from SILT - you will be contacted directly by a SILT member.

6. Once approved, you may plan events for your group and request funding as needed as a Conditional Charter.

7. If your charter is denied by MSS, you may appeal the decision as outlined in the MSS Constitution, which you will find HERE.

Charter Statuses:

MSS shall sponsor two chartering statuses: “Conditional” and “Complete.” Clubs meetings requirements for Conditional chartering status shall be eligible to apply for funding from MSS and apply for a Self-Generated account with Emory Student Governance Services (SGS). Clubs meeting requirements for the Complete chartering status shall be eligible to apply for an MSS allocated account and participate in the yearly MSS budgeting process.

Medical student organizations seeking a Complete charter should meet the following requirements:

1. Continue to meet all requirements stated for Conditional chartering status

2. Demonstrate sustainability and a documented record of contribution to the Emory community. Exceptional circumstances notwithstanding, charter-eligible organizations must hold active Conditional chartering status for a minimum of 18 months, and hold a minimum of 3 events during that timespan

3. Be in good standing without MSS, SGS, or university compliance violations over the duration of the Conditional chartering period

4. Any student group holding a Conditional charter and meeting all Complete charter criteria shall be granted Complete charter status; no general body vote will be required.

5. Once approved for Complete Charter, please make sure to submit an official budget to the MSS Treasurer and attend the budget meeting in March (the meeting date will be announced to all in advance of the meeting)

For more information regarding the Chartering process, Conditional Charters, Complete Charters, Charter Inactive Process and Status, Re-Chartering Process and Appeals of MSS decisions, please review the MSS Constitution.