Student Organization Registration Policy

Student Organizations at the University of Iowa are organized around a shared educational, social, recreational, interest, and/or service purpose, and whose membership consists of, and leadership positions are held by currently enrolled University of Iowa students.

The University of Iowa has two tiers of student organizations: Campus Life Organizations ( CLOs) and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).

Student Organization Review Committee and processes

Student organization applications are reviewed, approved, denied, or revised by the Student Organization Review Committee (SORC). The SORC receives administrative support from the Office of the Dean of Students and Leadership and Engagement and upon its evaluation, the Committee will:

Register the student organization and forward the organization’s application to the appropriate student governance organization or college/department/unit for confirmation;
Register the organization subject to specific conditions on activities the organization is permitted to sponsor; or
Reject the application.

If an application is rejected the organization may appeal the decision of the SORC within 30 calendar days upon the receipt of their denial of registration letter. Appeals must be submitted in writing to either the Director of Leadership & Engagement (i.e., for student organizations) or the Director of Recreational Services (i.e., for sport clubs).

If an organization appeals and is not satisfied with the decision rendered by the Director of Leadership & Engagement or the Director of Recreational Services they may then submit a final appeal in writing to the Dean of Students. There is no further appeal after the Dean of Students.

The university shall not deny benefits or privileges available to student organizations based on the viewpoint of a student organization or the expression of the viewpoint by the student organization or its members, as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Student organizations are required to complete a re-registration process biannually.

The reregistration schedule and period are determined by the Office of the Dean of Students. When applicable, student organizations should report to Leadership & Engagement or Recreational Services any amendments to or changes in its student organization name, constitution or by-laws, student representatives, and/or advisers within two weeks of the changes becoming effective.

Students requesting to create a new student organization must follow all policies and processes established by the Student Organization Review Committee and the Office of the Dean of Students.

Benefits of being a registered student organization depend on tier and category. For a list of registration benefits per category contact the Office of the Dean of Students.

The University shall not deny any benefit or privilege to a student organization based on the student organization’s requirement that the leaders of the student organization agree to and support its beliefs, as those beliefs are interpreted and applied by the student organization, and to further its mission.

The University will not investigate complaints related to student organization leadership selection processes or final leadership selection by organizations that select their leaders on the basis of a commitment to a set of beliefs or affirmations. These selection processes are defined and enforced by individual student organizations and the university shall respect the organization’s decision-making process.

Registration of student organizations that are residential living units (i.e., residence hall organizations, fraternities, and sororities) is granted by their respective student governance organization (i.e., Associated Residence Halls [ARH], Interfraternity Council [IFC], Multicultural Greek Council [MGC], National Pan-Hellenic Council [NPHC], and Panhellenic Council [PHC]) with the concurrence of the Student Organization Review Committee and vice president.

I. Student Organization Tiers and Categories

Campus Life Organizations (CLOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students with primary goals focused on serving and supporting the student experience in full alignment with the university’s mission and the sponsoring unit’s goals and objectives.
CLO activities, operations, and decision-making processes are subject to direct university oversight, whether by the Division of Student Life or another university academic or administrative college, department, or unit. CLOs include student leadership and professional development opportunities that guide the program’s activities and objectives. On completion of the established annual student organization registration process, CLOs may conduct activities at the University of Iowa and are eligible for certain privileges and services. Some Campus Life Organizations may also be considered governance organizations. These include:
- Undergraduate Student Government
- Graduate and Professional Student Government
- Residence Hall Activities Board
- Undergraduate social fraternities are governed by the University of Iowa Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, or the Multicultural Greek Council, which may establish, consistent with the University Policy on Human Rights, additional rules, and regulations for recognition of new fraternities, membership selection standards, and standards of conduct.
  In order to determine whether a student organization is in compliance with a student governance organization regulation or policy, University officials may from time to time review the organization’s record. Information gathered as part of the review may include, but is not limited to, the following: aggregate grade point averages, membership figures, financial reports, internal rules and policies, insurance coverage schedules, educational programs for members, safety and security precautions, compliance with relevant municipal ordinances and state laws, and complaints to the Iowa City police.
Registered Student Organizations. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students that may have a university sponsoring unit, be in full alignment with the university’s mission, and/or have direct university oversight of activities, operations, and decision-making processes.
On completion of the established annual student organization registration process, RSOs may conduct activities at the University of Iowa and are eligible for certain privileges and services, as set forth below. Recognized Student Organizations further consist of three subcategories: Supported (including Sport Clubs), Affiliated (including social fraternity and sorority chapters), and General.
1. Supported Student Organizations (SSOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students that have goals consistent with the university’s mission and the academic goals and objectives of the supporting university college, department, or unit. SSOs may also be affiliated with an external, non-university organization that provides advisors or operational oversight, in addition to university support. The supporting campus entity shall provide the SSO with an advisor and appropriate operational oversight and may provide SSOs with additional benefits as outlines through an annually established memorandum of understanding (MOU).
2. Affiliated Student Organizations (ASOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students that are affiliated with or related to an external, non-university entity, whether local, national, and/or international, that imposes its own requirements, rules, or regulations on the organization and often provides advisors or some degree of operational oversight. Affiliated student organizations do not have a formal relationship with the university providing additional oversight or responsibility. ASOs are eligible for specific but limited benefits.
3. General Student Organizations (GSOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students organized around shared and specific educational, social, political, religious, or recreational interests or experiences. GSOs include interest-only student organizations, which focus on a shared passion or interest that lies beyond the traditional scope of student organizations, such as niche hobbies, unique fields of study, or uncommon activities, some of which may be considered moderate to high-risk. GSOs provide opportunities for students to find and develop their own university community, connect with like-minded peers, enhance their knowledge in a particular area or topic, and foster a supportive environment. The university only provides a basic level of oversight and involvement of the organization’s activities – primarily when the organization is requesting the use of specific resources not readily available to the general public. GSOs are eligible for specific but limited benefits.

II. Basic Requirements and Expectations for All Student Organizations

University policy: All student organizations at the University of Iowa must abide by all university policies and procedures, including but not limited to Student Life policies and the University of Iowa Policy Manual. Student organizations must follow all applicable local, state, and federal law.
Naming: All student organization names must be unique and distinguishable from existing student organization names. No student organization may adopt a name, including acronyms, which may be construed as misleading regarding the nature of the organization activities or affiliation(s). Affiliated and General Student Organizations are permitted to use “[ORGANIZATION NAME] at the University of Iowa” when conducting organization business, communication, promotion, advertising, marketing, and merchandise or other goods. Affiliated and General Student Organizations may not use “University of Iowa,” “UI,” “U of I,” “UIowa,” “U-I,” or any other trademarked term or phrase at the beginning of their organization name for any purpose. Other university trademarks also cannot be used without written consent.
Registration: All student organizations must be registered with the Division of Student Life and maintain current information in the Student Organization Management Platform (“Engage Platform”) to access the corresponding benefits, including financial benefits.
Membership and Leadership:
1. Membership and leadership must be comprised entirely of students currently enrolled at the University of Iowa.
2. Individuals not enrolled as students at the University of Iowa, including faculty, staff, and community members, are prohibited from membership and leadership roles in Student Organizations at the University of Iowa. The university recognizes, however, that such individuals have the potential to play an important role in supporting and engaging with Student Organizations and their membership. As a result, Student Organizations are permitted to establish external advisory roles and opportunities engagement.
3. Membership must have and maintain a minimum of five student members currently enrolled at the University of Iowa, as verified through the Engage Platform during the registration process. Organizations unable to meet or maintain the minimum five-member requirement must review the Student Organization Five Member Policy Exception Statement and contact Leadership, Service, and Civic Engagement.
4. Primary and Secondary Student Representatives are individuals who are authorized by the organization to speak for or represent the organization in its relations with the University and who are authorized to receive for the organization official notices, directives, or information from the University. Every student organization or potential student organization registered with Leadership & Engagement/Recreational Services/academic deans via the University of Iowa student organization platform must include the names of two student representatives in its Organization Profile. Both Representatives must be currently enrolled UI students, and in academic and non-academic good standing. One name will be designated as the Primary Representative and the other as the Secondary Representative. It is the responsibility of each student organization to update the Organization Profile with the current names of Student Representatives. A student organization no longer under the direction of currently enrolled students may lose its registration.
CLOs and SSOs must post and maintain a current constitution, memorandum of understanding, charter document, or equivalent governing document(s) on their Engage Platform. These documents will be reviewed by the University during the registration process. ASOs and GSOs may choose to upload these documents, but it is not required.
Uniform Limitations on Purpose and Scope: Student Organizations at the University of Iowa:
- Must not provide professional services.
- Must not be for-profit.
- Must not duplicate existing student organization(s).
- Must not by design, intent, or purpose, violate university policy, or local, state, or federal laws.
Annual training for leadership: Student organization leadership is required to complete certain training on an annual basis. For more information, please contact Leadership, Service, and Civic Engagement. Different training is offered depending on tier or category.
Use of university brand and licensing: All student organizations must follow brand and licensing guidelines established by the Office of Strategic Communication and the University of Iowa Trademark Licensing Program for their identified tier and category.
Student Organization prohibited activities, and time, place, and manner restrictions: All student organizations must follow established university policies regarding event registration and approval processes for their identified tier and category.
- Prohibited Activities. The university has deemed certain categories of activities to be prohibited for all UI Student Organizations:
  - Bar or pub crawls
  - Date/people auctions
  - Events that purposefully destroy property (e.g., car smashes)
  - Raffles
  - Balloon/lantern releases
  - Bake sales
  - Tailgates and events with alcohol at venues that do not have their own liquor license
  - Events that purposefully waste food
- Reasonable Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions. The university may impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. Such restrictions include reasonable viewpoint- and content-neutral conditions required by university officials charged with managing and maintaining university operations and resources, including finances, buildings, structures, classrooms, and other areas of campus.
  Reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions may include but are not limited to those established university policies, rules, and guidelines and whether the proposed activity conflicts with regularly or previously scheduled activities. Applicants may be required to provide information such as the anticipated number of participants and spectators, and evidence of arrangements for crowd control and support, parking, and sanitary facilities, as a precondition to Activity approval.
Risk Management, Insurance, and Loss Prevention: Risk management is the process of identifying and assessing risks and developing strategies to mitigate or avoid personal injury, property damage, and financial loss and related liability. Student organizations must engage in the risk management process and consult with the appropriate college, department, or campus unit to identify, assess, and develop strategies to mitigate or avoid potential risk to the organization and the institution. Reputational and wellness risks to the student organization, university, and community should also be considered when developing or engaging in student organization Activities.
Student Organization Facility Use: Student organizations may use university buildings, facilities, and structures (“space”) with advance written permission, subject to all university facility and space usage policies, rules, and guidelines. Student organizations must demonstrate permission to use a specific space for an activity by uploading confirmation and proof of prior approval to the Engage Platform as part the activity approval process.
Registration of Inter/National Chartered Organizations. In addition to observing all University rules, an organization that is chartered by an inter/national organization, such as a Greek-letter social fraternity or sorority, must maintain its affiliation with the inter/national organization in order to retain its University registration. University registration will cease when the inter/national organization no longer recognizes or sponsors the student organization as an active organization. In this situation, the organization is no longer eligible to affiliate with their respective student governance organization, to participate in activities sponsored by the governance organization or its member organizations, or to access the privileges granted to registered student organizations. Once the inter/national organization has officially returned the student organization to affiliation status, the student organization representatives may apply to the University and the respective student governance organization for registration, although re-registration is not guaranteed. When the University removes registration of a student organization for violating University rules, but the organization remains affiliated with the inter/national organization, the student organization will not regain their University registration by virtue of their relationship with the inter/national organization.
Housing Organizations. Student organizations that provide off-campus housing to their student members are considered Housing Organizations. These include Professional Residence Groups, fraternal organizations with a professional focus that are recognized by an academic college, and Undergraduate Residence Groups, which includes Greek-letter organizations that are affiliated with their respective student governance organization. In addition to all other student organization policies, Housing Organizations must fulfill the following expectations due to the level of responsibility and complexity involved in the service they provide:
- Manage their housing unit;
- Enforce internal organization rules;
- Ensure that relevant national, state, and local laws and regulations are observed;
- Provide safe and healthful lodging and cooperate with city or state agencies responsible for enforcing applicable health and safety laws; and
- Observe relevant University policies in their housing facilities, including the Hazing Policy and the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Housing Organizations are eligible for the same privileges granted to registered student organizations which do not provide housing. The responsibility for the regulation and governance of professional fraternities that maintain chapter structures shall be with the Dean of the respective college, including professional fraternities registered by the College of Medicine, the College of Dentistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate College. The possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in registered undergraduate residence group housing except where explicitly authorized in writing by the vice president.

III. Campus Life Organizations

CLO Eligibility Requirements. In addition to the Basic Requirements for All Student Organizations (Section II, above):
1. Each CLO must have and maintain an administrative relationship with a sponsoring University of Iowa college, department, or unit (“Sponsoring Unit”).
2. Each CLO must have a written mission statement that is consistent with the university’s mission and the Sponsoring Unit’s goals and objectives.
3. The University department providing oversight and responsibility for the CLO must assign a full-time regular University of Iowa staff member to advise and oversee the CLO (Advisor).
4. The Advisor must have expertise that aligns with the CLO’s mission, and the scope of the advisory duties must be defined in a written position description.
5. The name and contact information, including telephone and email, for the Advisor and the written position description must be kept current in the Engage Platform.
6. CLOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices, and all CLO accounts must be established and managed by the Student Organization Business Office (SOBO).
Limitations on CLO eligibility. Because of the university’s status as a state governmental entity and a tax-exempt organization, certain categories of student organizations may not be eligible for CLO status. This will be reviewed by Student Life and university administration in accordance with the appropriate policies and state and federal statutes.

Registered Student Organizations at the University of Iowa

Supported Student Organizations
1. SSO Eligibility Requirements. In addition to the Basic Requirements for All Student Organizations:
  1. SSO membership must be open to all currently enrolled students pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights.
  2. SSO leadership positions must be open to all SSO members pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights.
  3. SSOs may be affiliated with an external, non-university, governing entity, whether local, national, or international, that provides advisors or operational oversight.
  4. Each SSO must have and maintain a clearly defined relationship outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a supporting University of Iowa college, department, or unit (“Supporting Unit”).
  5. Each SSO must have a written mission statement that is consistent with the university’s mission and the Supporting Unit’s educational goals and objectives.
  6. SSOs must have a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that clearly defines the relationship between the SSO and the supporting unit, including the level of supporting unit operational and/or financial oversight, and the MOU must be signed by a Dean, Department Executive Officer (DEO), or other appropriate University Officer. The MOU must be posted and maintained in the Engage Platform.
  7. The Supporting campus unit may assign a full-time University of Iowa staff member to advise and oversee the SSO (Advisor). The Advisor(s) must have expertise that aligns with the SSO’s mission, and the scope of the advisory duties must be defined in position descriptions.
  8. The name and contact information, including telephone and email, for the Advisor and the written position description must be kept current in the Engage Platform.
  9. SSOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices, and all SSO accounts must be established and managed by the Student Organization Business Office (SOBO) or the supporting department/unit.
  10. SSOs must pay an annual student organization re-registration fee of $30.
2. Limitations on SSO Eligibility:
  1. SSOs may include academic, honorary, professional, or service fraternities and sororities; Greek life social fraternities and sororities cannot be SSOs.
  2. Given the university’s status as a state governmental entity and a tax-exempt organization, certain categories of student organizations are not eligible for SSO status.
  3. Sport Clubs: Sport Clubs at the University of Iowa are defined as organized participation in a sport or sport related activity with the intention of competing, practicing, or participating locally or nationally in the sport activity. Sports Clubs engaged in high risk and moderate risk sports are ASOs supported by Recreational Services, which shall provide operational and safety oversight.
Affiliated Student Organizations
1. ASO Eligibility Requirements. In addition to the Basic Requirements for All Student Organizations:
  1. ASO membership and leadership positions must be open to all currently enrolled students pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights and in alignment with state statute.
  2. ASOs must have an affiliated or related external, non-university entity, whether local, national, and/or international, that imposes requirements, rules, or regulations on the organization and may oversee some aspects or degree of organization operations (External Affiliate).
  3. It is recommended, but not required, that ASOs have an advisor. External Affiliates may provide advisors; however, the university will not assign advisors to ASOs.
  4. ASOs must have a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that clearly defines the relationship between the ASO and the External Affiliate, including the level of External Affiliate operational and financial oversight and support. The MOU must be posted and maintained in the Engage Platform.
  5. The name and contact information, including telephone and email, for ASO External Affiliate(s) and any provided Advisor(s) must be posted and kept current in the Engage Platform.
  6. ASOs may establish, maintain, and manage an off-campus financial account.
  7. ASOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices.
2. Social Fraternity and Sorority Chapters. ASOs include all Greek life social fraternities and sororities at the University of Iowa and may include some academic, honorary, professional, or service fraternities and sororities. Social fraternities and sororities do not promote a particular profession or academic discipline. The primary purpose of a social fraternity or sorority is to form a brotherhood or sisterhood with common goals and aspirations, and typically requires a lifetime commitment. Individuals may only be a member of one social fraternity or sorority. These chapters must hold membership on one of the four councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council (PHC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), and National Panhellenic Council (NPHC).
General Student Organizations
1. GSO Eligibility Requirements. In addition to the Basic Requirements for All Student Organizations (Section II above):
  1. GSO membership and leadership positions must be open to all currently enrolled students pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights and in alignment with state statute.
  2. It is recommended, but not required, that GSOs have an advisor; however, the university will not assign advisors to GSOs. A university employee may choose to volunteer as an advisor, but this service is not in their official capacity as a university employee.
  3. GSOs may establish, maintain, and manage an off-campus financial account. GSOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices.