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.

• 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 financial accounts must operate in coordination with and individual guidance from the Student Organization Business Office (SOBO). Below are guiding principles
    • SSOs may choose to independently operate in an account within their supporting unit (including SAF). If this option is chosen, SOBO recommends that supporting units establish and use a fund 950 account for each SSO and only transact SSO business in those accounts. In this case, the SSO’s SOBO account will be deactivated.
    • SSOs are limited to 1 (one) MFK account. SSOs may not have both a SOBO account and another account at their supporting unit or anywhere else on campus. SSOs will need to inactivate duplicate account(s) and transfer funds as necessary. Exceptions made for UICA, gift accounts, etc.
    • (optional-highly recommended) SSO advisors of SSOs with SOBO accounts apply to become an account reviewer and review/approve all transactions on a monthly basis- working with SOBO to identify and correct any transaction mistakes
    • Requirements and Guidance from SOBO is subject to change for any SSO found not conducting their purchases/activities in a professional manner, operating outside their mission, or not adhering to guidelines