To help clarify the student organization recognition process, here is an outline of the steps. In many cases, the Office of Campus Activities is waiting for an organization to take the next step (e.g. turn in all their paperwork, meet with us, submit revised constitution, etc.).
With approximately 200 student organizations at various stages of recognition throughout the year, the process can take around 10 business days (depending on how quickly the group's leaders and advisors complete their steps in the process -- so please be patient.
Recognition runs from July 1 to June 30 each year. Recognition does expire and groups can start renewing their recognition in the spring term. The steps in the recognition process are as follows:
FOR NEW ORGANIZATIONS
- Organization submits recognition paperwork including:
- Completed Recognition Form. Download it here.
- A copy of the Constitution (and bylaws). Need a sample Constitution click here.
- Advisor is e-mailed for confirmation that they will serve as an advisor for the organization. Provide their contact information on the Recognition Form and we will verify that they are willing to be your advisor.
- The Office of Campus Activities reads the constitution for content:
- Checking for inclusion clause
- Checking for full time President and Treasurer
- Checking for full time faculty or staff advisor
- Organization is e-mailed to set up a short meeting with the Office of Campus Activities staff for any necessary constitution revisions.
- Organization meets with Office of Campus Activities staff
- Organization submits constitution changes (if needed)
- Constitution is re-read for revisions and changes
- If revisions are not complete, the organization is contacted and goes back to Step 4
- If revisions are complete then constitution recognition is complete
- Organizations attend Student Organization Orientation and Training (SOOT) workshops. For dates and times of the SOOT workshops please contact the Office of Campus Activities at askoca@drexel.edu, check here for updates or call 215-895-1328. For more information about SOOT workshops please refer to the SOOT page on the OCA website.
NOTE: SOOT can be completed at anytime during the Recognition process.
NOTE: The president, treasurer, and one additional member must attend a SOOT workshop once recognition paperwork has been completed. - All paperwork is confirmed and the organization is now recognized and is able to access privileges of being a recognized student organization (e.g. accessing funding/financial accounts, making reservations, hosting events, contracting events, participation in OCA/Student Life events, e-mail accounts, etc.)
- Organization is notified (e-mail and paper letter)
- Advisor is notified via email
- University departments are notified weekly of current list of recognized student organizations.
To check your organization' status, you can visit the recognition status page.
NOTE: If student organizations are in debt, they may seek recognition, but will be immediately put on hold until they resolve the debt. Anytime a group is in debt, they lose recognition privileges.
FOR RETURNING ORGANIZATIONS TO BE RECOGNIZED
- Organization submits recognition paperwork including:
- Completed Recognition Form with updated officer information, signatures of ten people who support the mission of the organization, and the contact information of your advisor. Download it here.
- A copy of the updated Constitution (and bylaws).
- Advisor is e-mailed for confirmation that they will serve as an advisor for the organization. Provide their contact information on the Recognition Form and we will verify that they are willing to be your advisor.
- Constitution is reviewed for changes and revisions. OCA will approve changes.
- Organizations attend Student Organization Orientation and Training (SOOT) workshops. For dates and times of the SOOT workshops please contact the Office of Campus Activities at askoca@drexel.edu, check here for updates or call 215-895-1328. For more information about SOOT workshops please refer to the SOOT page on the OCA website. NOTE: SOOT can be completed at anytime during the Recognition process
The Office of Campus Activities has changed its recognition process for the 2008-2009. Please refer to the following as you complete the recognition process:
1- Complete the Student Organization FY08-09Recognition/Registration Form completely (front and back). The recognition form and the form for Club Sports recognition can be picked up from the Office of Campus Activities in 215 Creese.
If there is something on the form that does not pertain to your organization, please put n/a (for not applicable) so we know that the form is complete. Incomplete forms can hold up your recognition, so please fill it out completely.
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2-Selecting your "Category" - please use the following in deciding which category best describes your group:
Undergraduate Student Organizations-Undergraduate student organizations are recognized by the Office of Campus Activities. Student Organizations are classified as undergraduate if the organizational membership consists of full time currently enrolled undergraduate Drexel students and all officers are full time currently enrolled undergraduate Drexel students. Only recognized student organizations that are classified as undergraduate are eligible to apply for student activity fee funding from The Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee (SAFAC). Part time undergraduate students may be part of your organization, but they can not benefit from SAFAC funding (as indicated in your constitution).
Graduate Student Organizations - Graduate student organizations are recognized by the Office of Campus Activities. These organizations are held to the same policies and procedures of undergraduate student organizations with the exception of finances. Graduate student organizations obtain funding from the Graduate Student General Fees, distributed by the Graduate Student Association, and graduate student organizations need to abide by the financial policies and procedures as established by the Graduate Student Association. All your members are any student that is enrolled in a graduate or professional program (not a full-time or part time undergraduate student).
“Joint” Student Organizations - Joint student organizations are recognized by the Office of Campus Activities. Student organizations are classified as “joint” if the student organization’s membership and officers do not adhere to the criteria set for undergraduate. These organizations are held to the same policies and procedures of undergraduate student organization with the exception of finances. Joint student organizations do not qualify for funding from either the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee or the Graduate Student Association.
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3-Selecting your "Classification" - please use the following in deciding which classification best describes your group:
Open - Membership in your organization is not restricted based on any criterion (except undergraduate or graduate).
Restricted - Membership is based on a specific criterion. Examples include, but are not limited to, GPA (need a certain GPA to be a member), Major (need specific major to be a member), etc.
Umbrella/Council - Membership is fully or partially dependent on representatives from other recognized student organizations on campus whose mission is to advocate for other student organizations.
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4-Selecting your "Type" - please use the following in deciding which type best describes your student organization:
Sports Clubs - Sport clubs are voluntary student organizations and each is formed, developed, governed and administered by the undergraduate students of that. The Recreational Sports Office sets the policies and procedures that govern the Sport Club Program and to ensure participation is a positive part of the Drexel student experience; they are also still recognized by the Office of Campus Activities. Sports Clubs offer opportunities for learning a new sport, improving existing sport skills, practicing and playing for fun, and/or competing at various levels.
Goodwin College of Professional Studies’ Student Organizations - Goodwin student organizations are recognized by of the Office of Campus Activities. These organizations are held to the same policies and procedures of undergraduate student organizations with the exception of finances. Goodwin student organizations obtain funding from the Goodwin General Fees, distributed by the Goodwin Student Council, and Goodwin student organizations need to abide by the financial policies and procedures as established by Goodwin. Membership in Goodwin groups are primarily consisting of Goodwin students.
Law School - These types of student organizations membership is primarily made up of students from the Law School.
General Interest - These types of organizations do not fall into any of the other types mentioned. Overall, they promote general interest of the student body.
Academic Focus - These types of student organizations are affiliated with a specific major, department, college or school. The primary focus is to promote interest and discovery within a specific field of study.
Honorary - These types of student organizations are affiliated with a regional or national association. Honorary groups have set criteria that students must meet in order to be eligible for membership and are usually affiliated with a specific field of study or interest.
Media (Technology/Publications) - These types of student organizations bring together students who have a common interest and desire to learn more about and execute the operation of a specific medium (newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine, radio station, etc.) or use of technology.
Cultural(International/Multicultural) - These types of student organizations bring together students who have a common interest and desire to learn more about and/or promote an understanding of a specific people or culture.
Religious (Spiritual) - These types of student organizations bring together students who have a common interest and/or practice a specific faith and a desire to learn more about and /or promote an understanding of a specified spirituality or religion.
Political - These types of student organizations bring together students who have a common interest and/or subscribe to a specific political party, movement or hope to advance a specific agenda as well as a desire to learn more about and /or promote an understanding of a set of political values and/or beliefs.
Community Service/Social Action - These types of student organizations advocate for and promote community and/or social issues through programming, philanthropy, volunteerism, and/or community service.
Performing and Fine Arts (Music) - These types of student organizations bring together students who have a common interest and desire to explore, perform and/or learn more about a variety of art form and music genres.
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5-Advisors - ALL student organizations must have at least one full time faculty or staff member serve as advisor. Student organizations can have more than one if they prefer or are required by their National/International Headquarters, but one must be a full-time faculty or staff member at Drexel University.
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6-Constitutions - Many organizations submitted their constitutions to us last year electronically. If we have your most up-to-date constitution on file electronically and you are not making any changes to it; there is no need to resubmit it. You can email askoca@drexel.edu or checkout our website at www.drexel.edu/oca to see if we have your most up-to-date constitution on file.
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For more information consult the Office of Campus Activities Website at www.drexel.edu/oca
