Create a Student Organization : IU 51��

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Create a Student Organization

Create a Student Organization

Create your own student organization

Starting your own student organization at IU 51�� allows you to turn your passions into action while creating a space where others feel welcomed and connected. It’s a powerful way to build community, develop leadership skills, and leave a lasting impact on campus.

If you are enrolled at Indiana University 51��, you can start a registered Self- Governed Student Organization (SGSO) by following the steps and policies on this page.

But first, see if your organization already exists. Browse organizations by category or search for specific words or phrases on Grenadier Central, IU 51��’s comprehensive student involvement platform. If your idea isn’t already out there, keep reading.

Benefits for registered student organizations

Student groups are not required to be registered with Student Life. However, there are many benefits that go along with being registered.

Reserve space on campus for free.
Apply for office space in the Student O.
Apply for funds.
Reserve a table for the Student Involvement Fair.
Apply for and be recognized at the annual Student Organization Awards.
Use Grenadier Central for recruitment, networking and event management.
And much more!

General Policies

Register your organization on , IU 51��’s comprehensive student involvement platform. This is where your organization will post events, manage rosters, keep an updated public profile, and complete annual reregistration. You must be an enrolled IU 51�� student to register and reregister your organization.

To create a Self-Governed Student Organization (SGSO), complete the New Student Organization Registration Form online using your organization roster, constitution, and profile picture (if applicable). The form is available year-round, so you can start the process anytime. Log in with your IU Login, click on “Organizations” in the left navigation menu, select “Register an Organization,” and then click the blue “Register a new organization” button.

After you submit, you’ll receive an invitation to set up an advising appointment and begin the registration process.

To be a registered student organization at Indiana University 51��, your organization must:

Register on Grenadier Central
Write a constitution (template available from Student Life)
Have at least one full-time faculty/staff advisor who is employed by Indiana University 51�� (cannot be an undergraduate student)
Have five enrolled IU 51�� student members
Re-register semi-annually on Grenadier Central
Self-governed student organizations are responsible for providing proof of the completion of requirements to Student Life before they can be registered. Additionally, the organization must provide proof of the completion of requirements before they can renew their organization’s registration in subsequent years.

You may not register “dummy” student organizations for the purpose of for-profit ventures. Individuals who do so will violate the IU Student Code of Ethics and may be subject to sanctions through the Office of Student Conduct.

Semi-annual re-registration is required in order to maintain your access to student organization benefits. If your organization does not reregister by September 30 for Fall and February 28 for Spring, your benefits (including space reservation) will expire.

Only students who are willing to serve as the primary contact for the organization should complete the re-registration form.

Once you have submitted your re-registration form on Grenadier Central, Student Life will review your form and either approve it or request changes. You will receive a confirmation email once it has been reviewed.

Your organization is only considered registered when your re-registration form is officially approved.

Student organizations are required to have at least five enrolled IU 51�� students on their roster when registering for the first time and when reregistering.

IU students, faculty, staff, and local community members are welcome to join any student organization at IU 51��. However, only enrolled IU 51�� students can serve as officers and/or access student organization services through Student Life.

All student members must be listed on your organization’s Grenadier Central roster.

Indiana University 51�� recognizes and supports the development of all student organizations. Self-Governed Student Organizations (SGSOs) are not departments or administrative units of Indiana University, and therefore the IU Legal Counsel requires all student groups who choose to use the Indiana University or IU name to clearly indicate in their organizational title, constitution, and paraphernalia that they are “at Indiana University.”

The purpose of this distinction is to ensure that outside organizations that do interact with student organizations are aware that their dealings are with the club or group and not with the university itself.

Student organizations may use Indiana University before the title or name of the group only if the organization receives money from the Committee for Fee Review, or upon approval by the dean of students.

The use of “Indiana,” “Hoosiers,” “Cream and Crimson,” and any other IU-related words and phrases are not permitted for use in Self-Governed Student Organization names. For a full list of IU trademarked words and phrases, see the Guidelines.

All student organizations must create and maintain a constitution. A constitution contains the fundamental principles that govern an organization's operation. The development of a constitution will serve to clarify your purpose and delineate your basic operating structure. It will also allow current and potential members to have a better understanding of what the organization is all about.

These clauses MUST appear exactly as written in EVERY student organization constitution:

Statement of University Compliance: This organization shall comply with all Indiana University regulations and local, state, and federal laws.
Anti-Hazing Policy: Hazing is strictly prohibited. Hazing shall be defined as any conduct that subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may endanger, abuse, degrade, or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a group or organization, regardless of the person’s consent or lack of consent.
Personal Gain Clause: This organization, if raising funds, shall ethically raise and distribute profits from organizational functions to either the organization or to members who provide a service that directly benefits the organization. Individual members may not receive compensation from for-profit companies if acting as a representative of a student organization.

The following clauses may also be required based on your organization's activities:

Programs Involving Children: This organization, when working with children, will be aware of and abide by the university's Programs Involving Children (PIC) Policy.
International Travel: This organization, when traveling internationally, will coordinate their travel through the Office of Overseas Study.

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