Forming a New Student Organization

Recognized student organizations provide opportunities for learning, student engagement, leadership development, and fostering of shared interests. These organizations are student-initiated and student-run. In order to begin the reviewing process, potential new student organizations must meet the following criteria:

• The mission of the student organization must reflect the mission and values of the University.
• The services and programs offered by the organization must directly relate to the University and organization missions.
• The mission, services, and activities of the organization should be different from any other recognized student organization.
• Proposed organizations that are formed for commercial purposes or primarily for the financial benefit of an external corporation or organization will not be recognized.
• Sororities and fraternities must be affiliated with a national organization; as part of the formation process theymay be affiliated with one of Elon’s existing governing councils (Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, or Panhellenic Association) and have completed the appropriate expansion process.
• A full-time faculty or staff member of the University must be in agreement to serve as the organization’s advisor.
• The organization must have a notable pool of interested members, a workable leadership structure, and democratic officer election processes established.

Student Involvement assists in establishing new organizations. Below is the step-by-step new organization development process. (Note that some student organizations have additional considerations necessary during development process, i.e. fraternities and sororities. Please contact Student Involvement for more information.)

Step 1: Attend New Student Organization Information Session hosted by Student Involvement

Step 2: Submit ‘New Student Organization Proposal’ on PhoenixCONNECT.

Step 3: Student Involvement staff review applications, make preliminary category determinations, and submit recommendations to Vice President for Student Life.

Step 4: Per recommendations from the Vice President for Student Life, student leaders attend Constitution/bylaws development workshop, and submit draft constitution and ‘Advisor Acceptance Agreement’ on PhoenixCONNECT.

Step 5: The Student Life Committee (SLC) reviews bylaws and grants Provisional Status.

Step 6: After a minimum of one semester (but no more than three semesters), student organization leaders must complete provisional review with the Student Life Committee. SLC determines eligibility for full/active status.