RSO Recognition Process

• Application Available: August 7 
• Trainings Available: August 12
• Deadline to complete applications and trainings to participate in Week 1 Involvement Fair: August 16
• Deadline to complete applications and trainings to participate in Week 3 Involvement Fair: August 30
• Final Deadline for Fall Recognition: September 6 
• NOTE: Application for creating new RSOs will open after fall break. 

All student organizations are recognized through Campus Activities, except “social fraternities and sororities” as defined by the Department of Education, which are recognized through The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Development (FSLD).   

All student organizations must complete recognition through the online recognition portal, EngageSC, on an annual basis. Recognition status for 2024-2025 runs for one academic year (between August 1-June 30) regardless of when an application is approved.   

Note: Organizations that do not complete the recognition renewal process by the specified time will not receive recognition for the academic year and will lose all benefits.

The name and email of the primary contact on the application will be made available to members of the USC community. This student will also receive official communications from the university and is expected to share any pertinent information with their organization.  

RSOs are required to upload the following information to EngageSC:

• Complete current membership profile and roster.   
• Constitution and bylaws, consistent with university policies and regulations, ratified by the membership.   
• Names and contact information of at least 10 current members.  
• Name and contact information of the current USC full-time faculty/ staff advisor.   
• Agreement to abide by all university policies.   
• Summary of the steps the RSO plans to take to prevent violations of university policy:
  • (a) by their members
  • (b) in facilities owned/ operated/occupied by the RSO or a substantial number of an RSO’s current or prospective members
  • (c) at events organized or sponsored by the RSO or a substantial number of the RSO’s current or prospective members
  • (d) guest of the RSO at events and meetings hosted by the organization
• Completion of annual recognition training by five officers of the RSO. They must fill these roles functional but can have different working titles within the organization:  
  • President  
  • Vice President  
  • Treasurer  
  • Programming Chair  
  • Secretary/ Historian 
• Any plans to engage in certain activities, including those involving minors, use of hazardous materials, international travel, healthcare activities, and other activities as identified by Campus Activities from time to time. Organizations planning to conduct these activities may need to complete additional registration requirements before engaging in such activities.   
• For RSOs that own, operate, or occupy a residential facility (or whose members in substantial number own, operate, or occupy a residential facility), copies of any complaints received from their neighbors in the prior twelve months.  

Note: Official recognition is a privilege granted by USC and the university reserves the right to revoke, limit, and/or suspend the privileges of an RSO should the organization fail to adhere to university expectations or adequately demonstrate on an annual basis that its members serve as upstanding citizens, positive role models for other students, and good neighbors.

A student organization might not receive recognition due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

• Application is incomplete (missing components, incomplete training, etc.).
• The organization is not in good standing with the Office of Community Expectations or EEO-TIX.
• Evidence exists that the unrecognized student organization engaged in behavior contrary to the standards described in the USC Student Handbook and USC Student Commitment. 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 students.
• The organization charges for services (donations are okay).
• The organization is unable or unwilling to operate within university guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Purpose or activities of the organization violates university guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Additional approvals aren’t met (required for high-risk RSOs)
  • University Clinical Services
  • Youth Protection Services
  • RSOs covered by MOUs (Fraternity and Sorority Leadership and Development, Rec Sports, Office of Religious and Spiritual Life).

Official recognition is a privilege granted by USC and the university reserves the right to revoke, limit, and/or suspend the privileges of an RSO if the organization fails to adhere to university expectations or adequately demonstrate on an annual basis that its members serve as upstanding citizens, positive role models for other students, and good neighbors. As members of an RSO, you are expected to set a high bar of ethical conduct for your members and take proactive steps to ensure all members meet that bar. Refer to the RSO Accountability page for additional information.

Loss of recognition and/or benefits can result from but are not limited to:

• Incomplete recognition renewal application.   
• Non-compliance with national governing body policies.   
• Hazing (see “RSO and Membership Accountability for Hazing,” below).   
• Misrepresentation (fronting).   
• Acts of individual members (see Accountability of RSOs, below).   
• Bank fraud, larceny, or theft.   
• An organization fails to adhere to the educational mission of the university.   
• The written request of an organization.  
• Other violations of the USC Student Handbook. 

• RSOs may be affiliated with other off-campus organizations. If this is the case, the RSO must submit a copy of the constitution, article of incorporation, or other governance document of the external organization for university approval. Current policies and procedures related to RSOs can be found on the Campus Activities website.  
• Religious organizations seeking recognition must also comply with expectations issued by the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life.
• Recognition of social fraternities and sororities at USC is guided by the Trojan Greek Community Standards and Accreditation, USC governing fraternity and sorority councils, and if applicable, inter/national organization policies. FSLD has oversight of these RSOs.
• Club Sports seeking recognition must first be a university recognized student organization. Once approved the student organization seeking to join the Recreational Sports Council must follow the guidelines outlined on the USC Recreational Sports website (https://myrecsports.usc.edu).