Registered Student Organization Information

How to Form a Student Organization

Establishing a new student organization is an exciting process. The Office of Student Activities encourages students to begin new groups on campus and acts as a resource to assist you in the process. New student organizations may be started at any time. Here are some tips for creating a new registered student organization.

• Talk to your friends and classmates about your idea for a new group. This is a great way to recruit new members and get feedback on your idea.
• Meet with the Office of Student Activities to discuss your idea and goals for the group.
• Talk to your professors and staff members on campus. They can provide insight and one of them might want to serve as the on-campus advisor. If you have problems finding an advisor, the Office of Student Activities can assist you with the process.
• After you have an advisor, you can fill out the Student Organization Registration Form and turn it in to the Office of Student Activities.
• Promote your first meeting with flyers and a table in the quad. These are excellent ways to raise awareness about your group and invite others to join. The Aumnibus frequently writes articles about new organizations.

How to Register a Student Organization

To register a student organization, you need to submit the following information to the Office of Student Activities, 154 Taylor Center.

• A list of officers with addresses and phone numbers for each. If the officers have e-mail addresses, those should also be included.
• Contact information for the on-campus faculty/staff advisor including phone number, department and e-mail address. An organization may have more than one advisor.
• Contact information for any off-campus advisors, including address and phone number. If the advisors have e-mail addresses, those should also be included.

Privileges of Registered Student Organizations

A registered student organization has the following privileges:

• Recognition from Auburn University at Montgomery, which allows participation in events such as AUMfest and Mardi Gras.
• "Auburn University at Montgomery" or "AUM" in the organization's name and materials.
• Ability to apply for or renew a charter from the Student Government Association, which allows the organization to request funding from the Student Government Association and the Student Activities Fee Committee.
• Permission to hold events, meetings and other activities on the AUM campus.
• Ability to reserve university space for functions.
• Listings in university publications like the Viewbook.

Membership Requirements

• All members and officers of any registered student organization must be enrolled at AUM for at least one class during the fall and spring semesters.
• If a member does not enroll for the fall or spring semester, that individual cannot participate in the registered student organization during that time.
• If an officer does not enroll in the fall or spring semester, the individual may not hold the office and a replacement must be selected.
• All changes in officers must be reported to the Office of Student Activities, 154 Taylor Center.

Advisor Information

Each registered student organization must have an on-campus advisor. The university's criteria for advisors are as follows:

• Full-time faculty or staff status.
• An office on the central campus.
  
  The advisor shall have the following responsibilities:
  
  • Sign Event Authorization Forms, Meeting Authorization Forms, Table Authorization Forms, Fund-Raising Authorization Forms and funds requests.
  • Ensure that the organization abides by all university policies.
    &Be available to counsel and advise the student organization.

  • An organization can have more than one advisor. Off-campus advisors may also be used, but those individuals should provide the following information to the Office of Student Activities:
    
    · Name
    · Address
    · Phone number
    · E-mail address

    Any changes in advisor information, including the addition or removal of an advisor, must be submitted to the Office of Student Activities, 154 Taylor Center.

Hazing Policy

Hazing is defined as

"...any action taken or situation created intentionally, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips; wearing, publicly, apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating game activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution."

This definition was provided by the Fraternity Executives Association. Actions forced or required, which violate federal, state or local laws, are considered hazing. Hazing shall include, but not limited to, forcing, requiring or expecting pledges, associate members or perspective members (hereinafter referred to as "probationary members") or initiated members of university organizations to participate in any of the following actions or activities:

• Drinking alcohol or any other substance.
• Using any drug, narcotic or controlled substance.
• Eating foods that a reasonable person would not eat.
• Branding
• Permitting less than six continuous uninterrupted hours of sleep per night.
• Nudity at any time.
• Conducting activities that do not allow adequate time for study.
• Subjecting a person or group of people to verbal harassment.
• The use of demeaning names.
• Misleading probationary members in an effort to convince them that they will not be initiated, that they will be hurt during initiation or any other activity that would cause extreme mental stress.
• Carrying items (shields, paddles, bricks, etc.) that serve no constructive purpose or that are designed to punish or embarrass the carrier.
• Compelling a person or group to remain at a certain place or transporting a person or group anywhere without their consent (road trips, kidnaps, etc.)
• "Trashing," intentionally, any area for the purpose of annoying others or for having others clean the "trashed" area.
• Disallowing probationary members to talk for an extended period of time.
• Having probationary members perform personal chores or errands.
• Blindfolding and parading individuals in public areas, blindfolding and transporting in a motor vehicle or privately conducting blindfolding activities that serve no constructive purpose.
• Exposure to the elements.
• Conducting "interrogations" or any other non-constructive questioning.
• Duties not shared by initiated members.
• Putting probationary members in a room that is uncomfortable (temperature, noise, too small).
• Probationary members expected to do anything exclusively "for the fun or entertainment of the members."

• Any individual or organization allegedly violating this policy shall be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

University Policies and Procedures

All Registered Student Organizations are bound by the information in the Aumanac. Particular attention should be paid to the discipline code and the Drug-Free Campus and Workplace sections. A registered student organization can be found in violation of those policies just as an individual student can. Questions about discipline cases should be addressed to the Dean of Students, 157 Taylor Center, 244-3620.

Publicity of Events

The following policies govern how events can be publicized on campus:

Posting Information on Campus

• All posters, announcements, advertisements, etc. placed in public areas on campus must be approved by the appropriate university office.
  
• AUM's Cashier Office approves materials for all off-campus vendors, including community service announcements. Deans and directors must approve all materials posted on boards assigned to their departments. Student organizations and off-campus vendors may not post signs on these bulletin boards.
• All bulletin boards will be clearly labeled as to the department and the procedure to be used for posting materials.

Signs

• Signs may not be attached to painted surfaces.
  
• Signs may not be placed on glass anywhere on campus.
• Signs may not be attached to traffic signs, buildings or other permanent structures. Individuals and groups are encouraged to demonstrate good judgment and avoid offensive or lewd comments or drawings on all publicity material. Any materials found objectionable may be rejected for posting by the approving authorities.
• Signs posted without approval will be removed and the individual group responsible for posting the signs may be restricted from further use of bulletin boards on campus.
• Freestanding signs may be used at the entrances to the campus to welcome students to campus and generate interest in registered student organizations.
• Signs may be erected three days prior to the beginning of the semester and remain for two weeks after the first day of class. Signs left past this date will be collected by the physical plant workers and disposed of by physical plant employees.
• Free-standing signs may be used in the commons area in the middle of campus as long as they:
  • Do not block sidewalks
  • Aren't near shrubbery or easily damaged plants
  • Do not pose a safety problem
  • Conform to sizes specified by the authority
    
• The signs must be approved by the Cashier Office, just like posters, and removed within five days.
• Special arrangements may be made with the physical plant for special promotion or advertising that is not addressed elsewhere in the guidelines. Each request must be approved by the Cashier Office before it will be considered by the director of the physical plant. Each special request will be reviewed on an individual basis.
• Political advertising is not allowed on campus.
• Signs will be monitored on a weekly basis. All signs without approval or left past their designated limit will be removed.
• The approving department will monitor this process.

Note: Signs are defined as any printed, painted or drawn material, regardless of size.

Banners

Banners made by your organization or obtained through Pepsi (Buffalo Rock), Coca-Cola, etc. cannot remain on campus for more than two consecutive weeks. Banners must be removed within 24 hours after the event.

Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk can only be used on areas that are concrete. Sidewalk chalk cannot be used within 10 feet of an entrance to a building. Sidewalk chalk is not to be used on any surface not on the ground, including, but not limited to, trash cans, ashtrays, trees, benches.

Questions

Questions about the banner and sidewalk chalk policies should be directed to the Student Activities Coordinator, 154 Taylor Center, 334-244-3279.