The university believes student engagement and involvement in co-curricular activities promotes student success.  

The university, under the administrative direction of the Division of Student Life, has created two tiers of student organizations Campus Life Organizations (CLOs) and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). Both tiers provide students with leadership opportunities, foster connections with peers, and increase access to a variety of resources and experiences.  

Both tiers play a vital role in creating engagement and networking opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members. As such, it is critical to define and set policies and expectations regarding student organizations and their relationship with the institution. 

Why were policies reviewed and changes made to registered student organization policy? Who reviewed and made changes to policy? 

Consistent policy for the variety of organizations the university supports was required. Given past litigation, the university was only recently able to review, develop, and implement student organization policies to better support student leaders.  

A group of campus stakeholders from academic colleges, the Division of Student Life, Office of General Counsel, Risk Management, Insurance, and Loss Prevention, and student governments served on the RSO workgroup. 

What did the review charge state? 

“Establish the structural relationship of registered student organizations (RSOs) to the University of Iowa and identify the support provided by the Division of Student Life, academic colleges, and other departments or units through the development of campus-wide policies.” 

What changes are being made? 

 

The development and implementation of a new student organization categorization and tier system that better defines their relationship to the university.

This is reflected through the creation of two tiers – Campus Life Organizations (CLOs) and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). One tier is not superior to the other. Each tier defines how the organization is connected to the university along with expectations for engagement and university oversight. 

RSOs are composed of three categories: supported student organizations, affiliated student organizations, and general student organizations. 

The new categories provide greater clarity of institutional relationship, registration requirements, and university expectations. Definitions are below: 

  • Campus Life Organizations (CLOs) focus on serving and supporting the student experience in full alignment with the university’s mission and a sponsoring unit’s academic or co-curricular goals and objectives. CLO activities, operations, and decision-making processes are subject to direct university oversight, whether by the Division of Student Life, academic college, administrative division, department, or unit. CLOs include student leadership and professional development opportunities that guide the program’s activities and objectives. They are comprised of enrolled students and have an administrative advisor who is a full-time university faculty or staff member. Advising the CLO is listed in the faculty or staff member’s university local job description. 
  • Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at the University of Iowa are registered voluntary associations comprised of enrolled students. Supported Student Organizations (SSOs) have an established relationship to a university sponsoring college, division, department, or unit, who provides some oversight of activities, operations, and decision-making processes. Additionally, SSOs may have some alignment with the university’s mission. Affiliated Student Organizations (ASOs) and General Student Organizations do not have an established relationship with a university college, division, department, or unit and may have some alignment with the university’s mission. 

On completion of the established annual student organization registration or renewal process, RSOs may conduct activities at the University of Iowa and are eligible for certain privileges and services, as set forth in the administration of student organizations policy. 

As stated above, Registered Student Organizations consist of three subcategories: Supported (including Sport Clubs), Affiliated (including social fraternity and sorority chapters), and General.

  • Supported Student Organizations (SSOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students that have goals consistent with the university’s mission and the academic goals and objectives of the supporting university college, division, department, or unit. The supporting campus unit shall provide the SSO with operational oversight and may provide SSOs with funding or financial and account oversight.
  • Affiliated Student Organizations (ASOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students that are affiliated with or related to an external, non-university entity, whether local, national, and/or international, that imposes its own requirements, rules, or regulations on the organization and often provides an advisor or oversees some degree of organization operations. ASOs are eligible for specific but limited benefits.
  • General Student Organizations (GSOs) are registered voluntary associations of enrolled students organized around shared and specific educational, social, political, religious, or recreational interests or experiences. GSOs include interest-only student organizations, which focus on a shared passion or interest that lies beyond the traditional scope of student organizations, such as niche hobbies, unique fields of study, or uncommon activities, some of which may be considered moderate to high-risk. GSOs provide opportunities for students to find and develop their own university community, connect with like-minded peers, enhance their knowledge in a particular area or topic, and foster a supportive environment. GSOs are eligible for specific but limited benefits.

What are the eligibility requirements for student organizations? 

  • CLO and RSO eligibility requirements: 
    • Campus Life Organization (CLO) eligibility requirements. In addition to the basic requirements for all student organizations: 
      • CLO membership and leadership positions must be open to all enrolled students pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights.
      • CLO leadership positions must be open to all CLO members pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights.
      • Each CLO must have and maintain an administrative relationship with a sponsoring University of Iowa college, division, department, or unit (“sponsoring unit”).
      • Each CLO must have a written mission statement that is consistent with the university’s mission and the sponsoring unit’s educational or co-curricular goals and objectives.
      • The sponsoring unit must assign a full-time, regular University of Iowa faculty or staff member to serve as an administrative liaison and advise and oversee the CLO (Administrative Advisor). The Administrative  Advisor must have expertise that aligns with the CLO’s mission, and the scope of the advisory duties must be defined and included in the faculty or staff members’ local job description. 
      • The name and contact information, including telephone and email, for the Administrative Advisor and the written position description must be kept current in the Engage Platform. 
      • CLOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices, and all CLO financial accounts must be established and managed by the Student Organization Business Office (SOBO).
    • RSO: Supported Student Organization (SSO) Eligibility Requirements. In addition to the basic requirements for all student organizations: 
      • SSO membership must be open to all currently enrolled students pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights.
      • SSO leadership positions must be open to all SSO members pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights.
      • Each SSO must have and maintain a close relationship with a supporting University of Iowa college, division, department, or unit (“supporting unit”).
      • Each SSO must have a written mission statement that is consistent with the university’s mission and the supporting unit’s educational goals and objectives.
      • SSOs must have a written agreement that clearly defines the relationship between the SSO and the supporting unit, including the level of supporting unit operational and/or financial oversight, and the agreement must be signed by a Dean, Department Executive Officer (DEO), or other appropriate University Officer. The agreement must be posted and maintained in the Engage Platform.
      • The supporting unit must assign a full-time, regular University of Iowa faculty or staff member to administratively advise and oversee the SSO (SSO advisor). The SSO advisor must have expertise that aligns with the organization’s mission, and the scope of the advisory duties must be defined in a written position description. 
      • The name and contact information, including telephone and email, for the SSO advisor and the written position description must be kept current in the Engage Platform. 
      • SSOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices, and all SSO accounts must be established and managed by the Student Organization Business Office (SOBO) or the supporting department/unit. Student Activity fee funds must be managed by the SOBO. 
  • RSO: Affiliated Student Organization (ASO) Eligibility Requirements. In addition to the basic requirements for all student organizations:
    • ASO membership must be open to all currently enrolled students pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights, with certain limited exceptions for social fraternities and sororities. 
    • ASOs must have an affiliated or related external, non-university entity, whether local, national and/or international, that imposes requirements, rules, or regulations on the organization and may oversee some aspects or degree of organization operations (external affiliate). 
    • It is recommended, but not required, that ASOs have an advisor. External affiliates may provide advisors; however, the university will not assign advisors to ASOs. 
    • ASOs must have a written agreement that clearly defines the relationship between the ASO and the external affiliate, including the level of external affiliate operational and financial oversight and support. The agreement must be posted and maintained in the Engage Platform.
    • The name and contact information, including telephone and email, for ASO external affiliate(s) and any provided Advisor(s) must be posted and kept current in the Engage Platform. 
    • ASOs must establish, maintain, and manage an off-campus financial account in the name of the ASO with an FDIC insured bank or credit union. 
    • ASOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices.
  • RSO: General Student Organization (GSO) Eligibility Requirements. In addition to the basic requirements for all student organizations:
    • GSO membership must be open to all currently enrolled students pursuant to the university’s policy on Human Rights and be open to all students enrolled at the university.
    • It is recommended, but not required, that GSOs have an advisor; however, the university will not assign advisors to GSOs. 
    • GSOs must establish, maintain, and manage an off-campus financial account in the name of the GSO with an FDIC insured bank or credit union. 
    • GSOs must maintain clear, consistent, and accurate financial and accounting practices. 

100% student membership and leadership requirement for student organizations

  • Over the fall 2024 academic session organizations will be required to transition to a model where student organization leadership and membership is composed of 100% enrolled University of Iowa students. This does not restrict non-students from participating in hosted events or programs when such events are offered to the general public. 
  • Student organization decision-making and voting authority must be maintained by students to guarantee students are leading and operating these organizations. 
  • Sport club advisors in Recreational Services chose to implement this change at the start of the fall 2024 academic session, given the tryout, competitive nature, and membership dues processes unique to those organizations. It was identified during an internal audit that some sport clubs were not in compliance with the former 80% student, 20% non-student membership policy for student organizations. This is another reason sport clubs are transitioning to the 100% student membership requirement at the start of the fall semester. 
  • Non-students and members of the public are allowed to participate in or attend programs offered to the public by student organizations. 

Fiscal management strategies

  • Over the fall 2024 academic session ASOs and GSOs will transition their financial accounts and management to an external, FDIC insured bank or credit union, if an account is needed. 
  • The Division of Student Life will assist all student leaders in understanding this transition and university processes related to the transfer of non-student activity fee dollars. During the fall 2024 transition period ASOs and GSOs should continue to transact financial business through the SOBO given the developing policy. 

Where and when can new RSO policies be viewed? 

  • Outlining new student organization categories and tiers was identified as the first-step of this process and was communicated during the student organization registration process in spring/summer 2024. 
  • Student leaders will be informed as policies are updated and implemented throughout the semester. 
  • Final updated policies related to student organization registration and eligibility will be live at the end of the fall semester. Final elements of the policy remain in development as feedback is reviewed and student organization administrative policies are considered. 
  • Policies related to the daily administration and discipline of CLOs and RSOs will continue to be developed and implemented during the fall 2024 semester. 
  • Policies will be available at: dos.uiowa.edu/policies. 
  • The fall 2024 period is one of education and transition. Any student feedback or input related to policy changes should be sent to getinvolved@uiowa.edu. 

If I have questions regarding my organization’s new classification tier, suggested edits to the organization's name, or managing my organization during this transition, who can I contact? 

  • Individuals with questions may contact Leadership and Engagement advisors within the Office of the Dean of Students by phone or email. 

Will training be offered to learn more about managing my organization within the new requirements? 

  • Yes, student organization leaders should plan to attend a variety of trainings during the fall semester that are designed to provide information for their organization's tier and category. More information will be sent via email to student leaders. Trainings are scheduled for late September and early October depending on your organization's tier or category. 
  • There will be many learning and development sessions offered as policies continue to be enhanced and new processes implemented in fall 2024. Student leaders are encouraged to check their UI email for updates.
  • Additional communications will be sent to all student leaders in September, October, November , and December outlining updates and any new organization requirements. 

My organization did not renew during the spring/summer registration period? When can I re-register? 

  • Student organizations that did not register during the spring/summer registration period will be eligible to register during the fall 2024 semester. Information will be sent via email to those listed representatives when the registration period opens.

When and how were student organization leaders informed of registration changes? Were leaders informed of the new tiers and categories? 

  • Student leaders were informed of the review process and changes on May 6, 2024. An email prompted student leaders to complete the registration process as the first step in implementing changes. The registration process outlined new tiers and categories and students were asked to select their organization's tier or category. Self-selected tiers or categories were reviewed by Leadership and Engagement to ensure compliance to the new eligibility requirements.

Will my organization be informed during the fall 2024 academic semester as additional changes are approved and implemented?

  • Yes. Regular email communication and training sessions will be sent via email to student leaders as policies are updated and refined. The goal is for all policy and processes to be fully transitioned by January 2025. Students can register for trainings related to specific updates as they are offered. 
  • Regular updates will be posted to this FAQ page.