A student organization is defined as a group of currently enrolled University of North Carolina at Charlotte students who unite to promote a common interest. Student organizations are student-initiated and student-run. They may include other members of the University community such as alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators as long as 51 percent of the membership are currently enrolled students. Only currently enrolled students can serve as officers or vote on organizational matters. UNC Charlotte recognizes the vital contributions that student organizations make to the quality of life on campus; however, recognition as a UNC Charlotte student organization is not to be interpreted as an endorsement, approval, or reflection of the mission, purpose, and/or activities of UNC Charlotte or its affiliates.
If it is alleged that a registered student organization or its members have failed to comply with University policies or procedures, the University may conduct an investigation and render sanctions as it deems necessary. Failure to comply with University policies and procedures may result in a variety of penalties, including but not limited to suspension or the revocation of recognition. A student organization that is suspended or no longer recognized by the University loses all privileges and benefits granted to student organizations under the Student Government Association Act for Registration or GPSG.
All undergraduate student organizations are governed by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Senate Organizational Ways and Means Committee. The following are the categories that all student organizations fall under:
- Academic/Pre-Professional: Organizations designed for students interested in a particular career or academic field who want to establish networks and further develop their skills in that area.
- Fraternity & Sorority: Traditionally known as Greek-letter fraternities and sororities, these academic and service-oriented groups work to foster the ideals of friendship and the development of character.
- Graduate: Organizations designed specifically to meet the needs of graduate students in their specific areas of study or interest.
- Honor Society: Local and national honor societies that provide service and/or leadership opportunities and recognition for students with academic honors.
- Interest: Organizations that exist to enhance campus life and to provide support to students through a variety of programs and events.
- International: Focused on providing support, knowledge, and awareness through interactions and discussions of international culture, language, and people in the global community. Media Main purpose is education about and production of mass communication.
- Multicultural: Focused on providing support and fostering community within the various cultures, races, religions, and orientations represented among the student body.
- Performance: Main purpose is to entertain and educate through dance, vocal, and other performances.
- Political:Student groups that encourage expression, debate, and support of political issues, views, and/or candidates.
- Religious/Spiritual: Groups that provide spiritual and/or religious development and support.
- Service: Organizations that provide volunteer opportunities for civic-minded students eager to serve the campus and/or community.
- Sport Club: Groups that encourage participation in and promotion of team sports, physical fitness, health and wellness, as well as leisure and special interest activities.
- Returning or New Student Organization
- Groups are new only if they have not been previously approved by SGA, or if they have not been registered in 2 or more years
- Provide Full Organization Name
- No acronyms or abbreviations; do not put “UNC Charlotte” or “UNCC” in front of name.
- Provide Abbreviated Organization Name
- Provide the Purpose/Brief Description of Your Organization
- This description will be displayed on your organization’s profile and will provide helpful information to students interested in your group. Please remember this should be a brief description/overview of your organization.
- Provide the Student Organization’s Website URL
- Provide the Student Organization’s Social Networking sites (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, X, Tiktok etc.)
- Provide the Student Organization’s Email Address
- This e-mail address will be displayed on your profile and will provide an additional method for students to inquire about the organization. Please list an email address that is regularly checked (e.g. the president’s email).
- Provide the Student Organization’s Mailing Address
- UNC Charlotte does not provide a mailing address for student organizations. Please list a mailing address that is regularly checked (e.g. the president’s mailing address).
- Membership Roster
- The roster should include the names and email addresses of all student members. At least right (8) members are required to be considered a student organization.
- Provide the Officers’ and Advisor(s)’ Information.
- Three different UNC Charlotte students must hold the offices of President, Treasurer, and Vice President or Secretary. You will also need to select or edit the Primary Contact for the organization. *Only @charlotte.edu e-mail addresses will be accepted for officers.
- Upload Organization logo or photo
- Be sure to get permission from Licensing if using University trademarks.
- Membership Criteria and Meeting Information
- What month does your organization transition its new officers?
- Constitution
- Attach a current copy of your student organization’s constitution/bylaws if you have made changes since the last registration process. If no changes were made and the copy on file is up-to-date, please indicate that by completing the appropriate fields in the registration form.
The following benefits and responsibilities are excerpts from the Act for Registration under the purview of the Student Government Association or GPSG. The complete Act for Registration document is available at sga.charlotte.edu.
Responsibilities
• Register annually with the Student Government Association or GPSG. Registration begins on the first business day of April and concludes on the second Friday of September by 5:00pm, unless otherwise revised by SGA. (Review the Annual Registration Checklist on pg. 40 for additional information regarding this process.)
• Maintain at all times at least eight (8) current student members who are participants within the group.
• Maintain an updated organization constitution. Information regarding the requirements for the organization’s constitution is available later in this handbook. • Select three (3) officers including a President and Treasurer as well as either a Secretary or Vice President.
• Have a clear and unique purpose that does not duplicate an existing student organization.
Benefits
• Meeting and event space in accordance with University space reservation procedures.
• Use of University names at the end of an organization’s name. NOTE: Use of the University name does not constitute a grant of authority to the student organization or to any of the members. It also does not allow members to represent themselves as having authority to act as an agent for, to speak on behalf of, or to obligate UNC Charlotte or SGA contractually. The use of the University’s tax exempt status is not included in this benefit.
• Grant funding available by SGA via the Organizational Ways and Means Committee. Funds include event, travel, publication, and operational opportunities.
• Lockers may be applied for by contacting the Assistant Director for Student Involvement.
• The Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) has a host of resources available to organizations including computers, meeting spaces, poster and button supplies, design software, and much more. The SORC is located in Popp Martin Student Union 212.
• Assistance from Student Involvement staff including leadership training, educational workshops, general organization advising, event planning, publicity, and reference materials.
• Use of Niner Engage for event promotion and management, file storage, news announcements, roster management, elections, and more.
• Participation options in University events such as International Festival, Move-In, Homecoming, Student Organization Showcases, and more.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION RESOURCE CENTER (SORC)
The Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) is an area that is dedicated to student organization leaders and members for handling the day-to-day operations of your group. The resource center is designed to give you access to MAC computers with the latest design software, button machines, a laminator, and more. In addition, you will have access to the printer/scanner/fax machine. Printing is free if your organization uses Operational Funds. Art supplies are provided free to organizations. For more information, please visit studentorgs.charlotte.edu/sorc.
Information you should know about the SORC:
• The SORC is accessible to all members of registered student organizations. You do not need to reserve the space.
• The resources are free; however, we ask that you do not take items/supplies out of the SORC so that they are available to everyone at all times!
• Materials in the SORC are for student organization use only - materials are not for personal use or class projects.
EQUIPMENT & PROGRAM SUPPLY CHECK-OUT
Games, sport equipment, tents, decorations, walkie talkies, gaming systems, and more are available for check-out to student organizations. These items are to be used as a supplement to programs and events occurring on-campus. For more information about this program and a list of available items, please visit safc.charlotte.edu/programresource-supply-checkout-program.
It is recommended but not required that all student organizations have a UNC Charlotte faculty or staff advisor. Advisors are extremely important in helping keep organizations on track!
It is important to find an advisor that you have a close relationship with or one that has an active interest in the student organization you are starting. Ask faculty or staff members you are close with; odds are that if they cannot do it, they know of someone who can.
For assistance with selecting an advisor, please see a Student Involvement staff member.
Advisors to student organizations accept an added responsibility. The type of liability or risk for the advisor varies greatly depending upon the type of organization. What follows are some suggestions to assist with an advisor’s responsibility regarding liability issues or concerns:
• Try to anticipate risks which may arise out of any decision or situation and then discuss with the officers what they can do to minimize risks. Regardless of what organization or activity is involved, there will always be an opportunity for something out of the ordinary to happen. However, if decisions are made consistently and in good faith, and reasonable precautions are taken, then the risk involved can be minimized. Please contact the Student Involvement staff, as they can work with the University Office of Legal Affairs if questions arise.
• It is important to be aware of University policies and regulations as they affect student organizations. The UNC Charlotte Office of Legal Affairs, Risk Management Office, SAFC Business Manual, and the Student Organization Handbook are great sources for University rules and regulations. The staff members in the Student Involvement office can also serve as resources for you if you have specific concerns or questions.
• Advisors should never enter into contracts on behalf of a student organization.