Recognition Process

• Advisors must be full-time USC faculty or staff members who are not on sabbatical or leave. While part-time faculty and staff may serve as additional advisors to a group, the advisor listed on the recognition application must be a full-time USC faculty/staff member. 
• Advisors must agree to the duties outlined in the RSO’s constitution (meet with the RSO at least once a semester, maintain open lines of communication and awareness of organizational activities, act as a liaison to connect students with university resources).
• Advisors must accept their position on EngageSC. Follow the instructions in the email sent from mailer@campusgroups.com to accept/approve your position.
• Advisors must complete recognition requirements annually.

• Please follow the steps below exactly as described. Do not skip the first step.
  • First, log in to usc.reach360.com with SSO.
  • Second, return to this page and click this link or copy/paste into your browser. Please be sure to log in prior to clicking this link. 
  • If you receive a screen upon signing in that you do not have any assigned trainings, please check that you are logged in and click the link above again. 
  • Download the PDF of the certificate and submit via Advisor Requirements Google Form along with your Commitment to Community form.

• Review this sample document, including all links.
• Click this link to Docusign the form.
• Download the PDF of the form and submit via Advisor Requirements Google Form along with your RSO Advisor Training certificate.

• All RSO advisors serve as Campus Security Authorities under the Clery Act and complete a Trojan Learn course related to these responsibilities annually. Updates and a deadline to complete the Clery Act training requirement will be sent to all advisors soon. Campus Activities staff confirm completion via report from Trojan Learn, so you will not need to submit a certificate. You may check your past completion of any Clery Act trainings by opening your Trojan Learn transcript and selecting “Completed” from the dropdown.
  • If you completed the course “Clery Act for Campus Security Authorities” or “Clery Act Refresher Training for CSAs” anytime during the 2026 calendar year, you do not need to take it again and nothing is needed at this time. Your Clery Act training requirement for the 2026-27 academic year is complete.
  • If you completed either of the courses above prior to the 2026 calendar year, you must complete “Clery Act Refresher Training for CSAs”. You may access that course by first logging in to Trojan Learn and then clicking this link. You may also log in to Trojan Learn and use the magnifying glass in the top right corner to search the name of the course.
  • If you have never completed the course “Clery Act for Campus Security Authorities”, it will be assigned to you using the information you provide on the Advisor Requirements Google Form. You should wait to receive more information from Campus Activities.

• Some student organizations are affiliated with external organizations or operate within specialized areas of the University. These organizations may be subject to additional requirements.
• RSOs affiliated with other campus departments must first become a Recognized Student Organization. 
• Organizations affiliated with off-campus organizations must submit applicable governing documents (such as constitutions, articles of incorporation, or similar governance documents) for University review.
• Religious organizations must also comply with expectations established by the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life.
• Club Sports organizations must first become a Recognized Student Organization before completing the Recreational Sports Council recognition process in accordance with Recreational Sports requirements.
• Social fraternities and sororities are recognized and supported through the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life and are governed by the Trojan Greek Community Standards and Accreditation, their respective governing councils, and, where applicable, inter/national organization policies.

Recognition is a privilege granted by USC. Student organizations are expected to operate in accordance with University policies and demonstrate responsible leadership, ethical conduct, and a commitment to the values of the Trojan community.

An organization may not receive recognition for reasons including, but not limited to:

• An incomplete recognition application, including missing documents or incomplete officer training.
• The organization is not in good standing with the Office of Community Expectations (OCE) or the Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC).
• The organization or its members have engaged in conduct inconsistent with the USC Student Handbook or USC Student Commitment. Please refer to the RSO Accountability page for additional information.
• The organization is not student-led and student-run.
• The organization is not open to all eligible students.
• The organization charges for services rather than accepting permissible donations.
• The organization is unable or unwilling to operate within university policies, procedures, and expectations.
• The organization’s purpose or activities conflict with university policies or standards.
• Required approvals for specialized or high-risk activities have not been obtained, including those from:
  • University Clinical Services
  • Youth Protection Services
  • Offices or departments with oversight established through university agreements (for example, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Recreational Sports, or the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life).

Organizations are expected to maintain compliance with University expectations throughout the academic year. Failure to do so may result in the loss, suspension, or limitation of recognition and associated RSO privileges.

Recognition may be affected for reasons including, but not limited to:

• Failure to complete the annual recognition process.
• Non-compliance with applicable inter/national governing organization policies.
• Hazing.
• Misrepresentation (“fronting”).
• Organizational responsibility for the actions of members.
• Bank fraud, larceny, or theft.
• Activities inconsistent with the educational mission of the university.
• A written request from the organization to relinquish recognition.
• Other violations of the USC Student Handbook.

Please refer to the RSO Accountability page for additional information regarding organizational responsibilities and accountability.