Student Government Association

General Information

Responsibilities of a Student Oragnization

Guidelines, Rights and Privileges of Officially Registered MSOE Student Organizations

Those groups of students or student organizations that wish to be registered by MSOE, the Student Activities Office and the Student Government Association, must observe the following guidelines. Violation of these guidelines is reason to recall the organization¹s registration:

1. Submit an annual registration form. Forms can found online at the Student Government Association website. Organization should be registered to the Student Activities Office by the deadline listed on the website. A copy of the most recent constitution and bylaws should be submitted along with registration and emailed to Brain Braun and Rick Gagliano.
2. Provide a roster of members to the Student Activities Office by the deadline announced by Student Activities. This includes officer and advisor changes and updates. Organizations will be held responsible for updating and ensuring the accuracy of membership lists.
3. Every student organization must have at least one advisor from the faculty, staff and/or alumni. The Student Activities Office reserves the right to not approve an organization advisor.
4. Advisors and Student Activities staff must be kept informed regarding financial matters, upcoming events, business operations and general information about the organization.
5. Advisors or Student Activities Staff must be consulted when planning events, especially if there is a financial risk or a potentially controversial topic.
6. Advisors should be invited to all functions, including regular business and committee meetings. Advisors will have full speaking privileges at these events.
7. To recall an officer, the organization must follow the process outlined in its constitution, notify its advisor(s) and, if deemed necessary, a Student Activities staff member.
8. All organizations shall be responsible for all outstanding debts incurred by the organization, including deposit, rental and damage charges owed to MSOE.
9. Organizations should consult with the Student Activities staff before purchasing materials or services. Note: Student organizations may be responsible for additional fees/costs, security, equipment set-up, etc., as a result of their sponsored events/activities. Student Activities reserves the right to change or cancel any room or van reservations.
10. Student organizations may not bill MSOE for any purchase of materials or services. Organizations that bill MSOE, accidentally or intentionally, will be responsible for full payment and may face recall of their registration.
11. The Student Activities staff reserves the right to review the financial records of any registered student organization to ensure that the records are maintained in an appropriate manner. Student organizations must provide Student Activities with detailed account information including bank name and account numbers, and must make it possible for Student Activities to have the capability to request or change account information.
12. MSOE reserves the right to not approve the registration of any group or organization that would conflict with MSOE goals and objectives.
13. The Student Activities staff will not approve the registration of any student organization whose membership requirements discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, culture or sexual orientation.
14. Student organizations can seek temporary organization status from Student Activities (ie. political candidate committees).
15. Student organizations are responsible for knowing all SGA guidelines regarding financial support for organizations.

Failure to fulfill these obligations will delay renewal of an organization¹s registration and could result in loss of active status.
The following are some of the rights and privileges that are extended to each MSOE student organization upon, and only upon, its official registration by the Student Government Association and Student Activities. An officially registered organization¹s failure to maintain good standing may result in suspension of any or all of these rights and privileges:

1. To assemble at MSOE.
2. To reserve calendar dates for activities through the Student Life Office.
3. To reserve and use MSOE facilities and classrooms including the Student Life and Campus Center facilities.
4. To be assigned office space, whenever available, upon the submission of a written request and justification for the request.
5. To reserve and use space for distribution of literature or for organization fundraisers.
6. To borrow athletic equipment from the MSOE Kern Center.
7. To arrange through Student Activities and/or Marketing and Public Affairs for coverage and news releases of events of public interest.
8. To be assigned exclusive use of a mailbox by the Student Life Office.
9. To apply for funding from the Student Government Association.
10. To use the campus printing service. Organizations must contact Student Activities prior to printing and are responsible for their own printing costs.

If you have any questions concerning rights and privileges granted officially registered MSOE organizations, contact the Student Life Office.

Forming a New Student Organization

Students interested in forming a new student organization are encouraged to do so. It is necessary to meet with a Student Activities staff member in the preliminary stages. A student organization can become officially registered upon completion of all registration requirements and approval of SGA.

Responsibilities of Student Organizations

The officers and members of a student group are fully responsible for observing all campus, community, state and federal laws and regulations governing the group¹s various activities. The university does not authorize, protect, defend or assume responsibility for the violation of public or private rights by students or student groups. In addition to any civil or criminal action taken against students or student groups by reason of irresponsible conduct, on or off campus, such conduct may subject the student or group to university disciplinary proceedings.
All full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for active membership in student organizations providing the student has a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00. Students falling below a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 are considered inactive. It is the student¹s responsibility to inform the organization of ineligibility and the organization¹s responsibility to inform the Student Activities staff. The student will remain ineligible until his/her cumulative grade point is 2.00 or above.

Hazing

Hazing is defined as any act, whether physical, mental, emotional or psychological, that subjects another person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to anything that may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass or intimidate him/her or that may in any fashion compromise his/her inherent dignity as a person. This definition, although derived from the fraternity structure, applies uniformly to all MSOE organizations and athletic teams.
All organizations are governed by the same hazing policy.
Freedom from the humility and danger of hazing is guaranteed to every member of the university community. MSOE unconditionally opposes any action or activity that results in mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. MSOE prohibits the act of hazing and follows the laws set by the State of Wisconsin as stated in the section 948.51 Wisconsin Hazing Law.
Any alleged incident of hazing should be reported to the vice president for student life/dean of students.

Eligibility, Pledging and Membership of Greek Organizations

1. No student may be initiated until he/she has earned 12 credit hours in one quarter as a full-time student.
2. No student who has less than a 2.00 cumulative grade point average or who has an incomplete (which may result in having less than a 2.00 GPA) may be initiated until his/her record is clear.
3. Students coming to MSOE with advanced standing may not be initiated until they have completed one quarter of work. However, junior and senior transfer students are allowed to be initiated into fraternities or sororities in their first quarter at MSOE, provided they have maintained a 2.00 cumulative GPA in course work at previous colleges and universities.
4. To maintain active status in a fraternity or sorority, a student must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. Fraternity or sorority members who drop below a 2.00 cumulative GPA automatically become inactive for the following quarter of their studies, and remain inactive until they regain a 2.00 cumulative GPA.
5. No initiation activities shall be held later than the ninth week of any quarter. The activities must not cause the student to miss any classes.

Fraternities and sororities are responsible for notifying and inviting their respective faculty/staff advisor(s) to all pledging and initiation ceremonies. The Greek Council Advisor(s) should be notified of all such ceremonies as well.

Activity Registration

All registered student organizations may use MSOE facilities for events that have been approved by the Student Life Office. For information regarding the reservation of MSOE facilities, contact the Student Life Office. A room reservation form must be completed at the time of the request. Student organizations may be subject to room reservation changes and additional costs for their events when they use MSOE facilities.

Private Business, Sales and Soliciting

No form of selling, soliciting or private business is permitted on campus without specific prior written authorization by a Student Life Office professional staff member. Submit requests to the Student Life Office.
Student organizations or outside groups must obtain an ³authorization pass² that must be clearly displayed on their tables and/or carried with them when not at a specific location. Failure to do so will result in the group being asked to vacate the area or cease their actions.
Concerns for the property of students, general building security, the protection of property and safety of residents have led to the development of stringent regulations about selling and soliciting in the residence halls. Solicitors are not allowed under any circumstances to canvass in residence halls, and never from room to room. Anyone suspicious of solicitors in the halls should notify a resident assistant or the main desk immediately. Solicitors operating in the halls are considered trespassers and are subject to arrest and prosecution.
Residents of the halls and responsible student organizations may obtain permission from the Housing Office to sell merchandise or services in the residence halls. In general, such activities must conform to residence hall policies.
Student Fundraising

MSOE Name and Credit

Admission to MSOE does not and cannot confer any general or unrestricted license to the use of the university¹s name, credit, publications or facilities as the student may deem appropriate or convenient. MSOE has established, and reserves the right to modify or augment, special rules governing the use of facilities, credit and name. Contact Marketing and Public Affairs for more information.

University Colors/University Nickname

MSOE¹s official colors are red and white, and the university¹s athletic nickname is the "Raiders." These logos may be obtained from the Marketing and Public Affairs Department. Please call (414) 277-7138 for further assistance.

Raffles

All raffles sponsored by MSOE student organizations must comply with the rules and regulations of the State of Wisconsin Department of Regulations and Licensing and Student Life Office policies. Contact the Student Life Office for a copy of this information.