Forming A New Student Organization
If a student wishes to found a new group, the process begins at
the Programs for Leadership and Service Education (PuLSE)
Office (Atherton Union, Room 101). At the onset, there are two
requirements:
- the organization must be the interest of a student or group of
students (i.e. an outside group may not come on campus to form a
group without student interest and involvement), and
- there must be at least four (4) students interested and
involved in starting the new organization.
Students wishing to establish a new organization are
required to meet with the director of the PuLSE office to discuss
the creation of the group, review the group's constitution and to
go over the guidelines for group
formation. As part of the group formation
process, the group must complete an application for a new student
organization form, a President/Advisor Statement of Understanding,
a proposed list of officers and provide an electronic version of
the proposed constitution to the SGA vice president of operations.
These completed forms are turned into the PuLSE office.
The constitution must include notification that the
organization will not discriminate on the basis of
race, age, disability, gender, national origin, sexual
orientation, residence or any other legally-protected category as
well as attempt to be accessible to all regardless of physical or
mental disability. All officers must be currently enrolled Butler
students. Additionally, each student organization must have a
minimum of four currently enrolled Butler student members and a
full-time faculty/staff advisor to become a recognized
organization. Until approval has been given, a new organization may
meet only for the purpose of organizing itself. Fraternities,
sororities and related councils must work with the director of
Greek life.
The constitution of any proposed new student organization
must be endorsed by Student Government Association
(SGA) executive board. A representative of the
proposed organization must contact the SGA vice president
of operations to be placed on the SGA executive board agenda.
The organization must present itself to the SGA executive board at
a designated meeting. The board will discuss the potential
organization and determine whether it is endorsed by SGA. Appeals
of the SGA executive board's decision may be taken to SGA assembly.
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the SGA
president.
If the
group is endorsed by SGA, the group's application will be given to
the director of PuLSE and the dean of student life for final
University approval. The Student
Government Association may review and propose changes to the SGA
portion of the new student organization endorsement
process.
Please come
to the PuLSE office with any questions and to receive the necessary
paperwork to proceed.
Role of the President
Although the size of student organizations on campus varies, the
leadership of an organization usually is comprised of a president,
vice president, treasurer, and secretary. It is the duty of the
president to conduct meetings and aid in the selection of a
faculty/staff advisor. All active student organizations must have a
faculty/staff advisor. The president should keep the advisor
notified of meetings and events. At the end of his/her tenure, the
president shall coordinate a smooth transition to the new
leadership. It is important that he/she notify the Programs
for Leadership and Service Education (PuLSE) Office of
the new leadership when changes occur.
Note: An effective president delegates effectively and clearly
outlines the roles and functions of his/her officers. It is
important that the president be aware of the financial status of
the group and is committed to the goals of the organization. If
help is needed in any area of leadership, the staff in
the Programs for Leadership and Service Education (PuLSE)
Office is very willing and able to aid any recognized student
organization.