Student Government Association

General Information

Starting an Organization

Interested in starting a new student organization at MSOE?

If you are interested in starting a new student organization on campus, you are requested to stop in and speak with a Student Activities staff member to discuss the procedures. Student Activities is located in the Campus Center building CC-377 or you may call (414) 277-7225.
· Here are the steps to starting up a new student organization on campus.

1. Review student organization policies and procedures: Pick up a current copy of the Whole Student Life Handbook and review the section on Student Organization Policies and Procedures. This section includes responsibilities of officers of the organization.
2. Find an advisor: Student organizations are required to have an advisor. Advisors may be a current or former MSOE faculty or staff member, or an alumnus of MSOE residing within the Milwaukee area. Advisors are subject to approval by Student Activities.
3. Complete the student organization registration form: You need to submit your student organization registration information at the SGA website, under Student Organizations and submit registration information (SGA Org Registration). The main person interested in starting up a new organization should complete a Student Organization registration form. Please list yourself as a temporary officer and main contact for the organization (until elections can be held). At this point, you will be indicating the type of student organization you are starting and the purpose of the group.
4. Create a constitution: Student organizations are required to have a constitution that governs the organization. Use the sample constitution, provided by the SGA, as an example of how to proceed. When completed email to Rick Gagliano (SGA Advisor) gagliano@msoe.edu and Brittney Christensen (SGA President) christeb@msoe.edu. As online at SGA’s Organization Database webpage.

The SGA Advisor or the SGA President will forward the email to the Organizational Review Committee and all members of the Senate. In order for an organization to be approved by the next SGA meeting, materials must be submitted by noon on Thursday. After Thursday, it will be up to ORC’s discretion as to whether or not their availability allows them to review materials before the next SGA meeting. If ORC is unable to review the materials before SGA’s meeting, it will be reviewed before the following SGA meeting. Please include any additional information such as any leadership agreements, covenants, and contracts that your organization executives or officers are required to sign to be leaders of your organization. Those submitting the student organization registration materials are highly encouraged to attend SGA meetings throughout their registration process in case questions or concerns arise. SGA meets every Monday (weeks 1-10, excluding all major holidays) at 1:00 p.m. in the Student Organization Conference Room (CC-361).

5. SGA reviews student organization materials: The Organizational Review Committee (ORC) reviews the Constitution of the organization. ORC will be available to meet with members of the student organization to discuss any concerns that may arise. ORC will then send an approved constitution to the leader of the organization and to the SGA Senate. SGA will review the submitted registration materials and constitution (already approved by ORC) at the next meeting. ORC will make a recommendation to the Senate regarding the student organization. If SGA approves the registration of the student organization, the student organization is considered "officially recognized" by both the SGA and the Student Activities Office.
6. Organization approval status level: Student organizations may receive one of the following levels of recognition:

   "Official Recognition" by SGA, which is in effect as long as the student organization remains in good standing and submits yearly registration materials to SGA;
   "Temporary Recognition" by SGA, which is in effect for a length of time determined by SGA. This status is dependant upon the purpose of the organization and/or review of the registration materials; or
   "Temporary Approval/Non-SGA Recognized" by the Student Activities Office. This is a level that is determined and granted by the Student Activities Office while the student organization is going through its approval stages with SGA.
   If the SGA does not grant "official or temporary recognition" to a student organization, the student organization may seek approval directly from Student Activities Office. This status is usually only granted to the student organization for the purpose of securing meeting space and seeking membership through promotions (flyer or email postings). This status does not allow the student organization to receive funding or office/storage space on campus from SGA or Student Activities.

   Required forms

   The registration form is available at the SGA website and is submitted online. Cover sheet / archives information (PDF)

   • Constitution example (PDF)
   • Key possession and check-out form (spreadsheet)