New Student Organizations

New Student Organization How-To

Step 1: Fill Out New Student Organization Form

Step 2: Wait for confirmation email from the Peer Leadership Team

Step 3: Once approved and received an email from our Peer Leadership Team: attend a New Club Workshops

Workshop dates and times will be sent via email from our Peer Leadership Team (stuacts@usc.edu)

Please allow 1-2 weeks for your application to be reviewed.

Resources

 

Privileges

The existence of student organizations at the university is sanctioned by the Board of Trustees. The responsibility for recognition of student organizations falls within the Division of Student Affairs, specifically, through the Campus Activities office. Recognized student organizations are offered privileges, provided the organizations accept certain responsibilities. All student organizations must complete USC’s Campus Activities recognition process in order to be an officially Recognized Student Organization (RSO).  Recognition status runs for one academic year (August 1-July 31).

All recognized student organizations may:

a.  Post notices on campus, within the posting policy.

b.  Receive and post messages on the student organization electronic mailing list.

c.  Post on the Trojan Information Kiosk.

d.  Use a campus mailing address and/or mailbox.

e.  Reserve campus facilities for events, programs and meetings.

f.  Apply for university funding (including student program fee monies).

g.  Conduct fundraising efforts within the stated Sales and Fundraising Policies of the university (see Section G.7. Sales and Fundraising). Student organizations (or individual members while acting in any capacity for the organization) may not: (i) conduct for-profit or commercial activities (or facilitate the for-profit or commercial activities of others), (ii) conduct a business (or facilitate conducting the business of others), or (iii) act as (or create the appearance of acting as) a liaison, representative, agent, facilitator, face or front for another business, person or entity. All recognized student organizations are permitted to fundraise on their own behalf. However, student organizations may only fundraise or pursue activities to benefit their organization, another student organization or an outside philanthropic agency or relief effort. No individual student(s) may receive any type of payment either in the form of money, discounts and/or goods and services.

h.  Receive a discount on selected facility and equipment rentals.

i.  Access organizational email and web accounts (the university will place the following disclaimer at the bottom of each organization’s website: USC does not control the content herein and takes no responsibility for any inaccurate, indecent or objectionable content, which is the sole responsibility of the student author). Students may not remove or otherwise take steps to defeat this disclaimer. Any attempt to do so will be cause for disciplinary action.

j.  Access banking services at the USC Credit Union and/or Campus Activities.

k.  Use the name, logo or other trademarks of the university, while making clear to a reasonable person not from the campus that the organization is a student organization at the university and not the university itself. Use of the name, logo or other trademarks must be consistent with the USC Graphic Identity Program, including those specified in the Sales and Fund-raising Policies (see Section G.7. Sales and Fundraising).

Responsibilities

In return, the university expects all student organizations to:

a.  Abide by all university policies, regulations and procedures as defined in SCampus and elsewhere, all state laws, and any applicable governing regulations associated with a national affiliation;

b.  Limit its participation to students, faculty, staff, alumni and alumnae of the university;

c.  Limit its voting members and officers to currently enrolled USC students;

d.  Refrain from discriminating in membership decisions, elections, and all other matters on the basis of race, creed or religion, sex*, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition and national origin. A statement to this effect should appear in the constitution of all recognized organizations.

*Except those exempted from Title IX compliance.