Here is the process:
1) Draft a constitution or charter that addresses at minimum:
*the nature and mission of the organization
*membership requirements
*leadership roles and responsibilities (including faculty/staff advisor)
*process for removal of someone in a leadership position and/or filling a leadership vacancy
*organization operation (how often to meet, policy for quorum in a voting situation, etc)
*funding strategy and expected expenses
The Office of Student Activities has two sample constitutions/charters that we can share with you.
2) Recruit a faculty (active or emeriti) or staff (full time) advisor.
3) Present an initial membership list of 10-15 students.
When you are satisfied with the constitution, send it to Jamey Campbell, Director of Student Activities to read. He will look over it for any trouble spots and give you recommendations, if any. When both you and he are both satisfied with the draft, Student Activities will notify the Student Assembly that the organization is ready for consideration at their next meeting.
The primary student founder will need to attend that meeting where the organization is on the agenda. Student Assembly might have questions or they might approve on the spot. It is possible, however very unlikely, that Student Assembly may deny recognition to a proposed organization but that would probably only happen if the mission of the club ran contrary to the University's mission or was illegal.
After approval by Student Assembly, the organization is welcome to petition the Activity Fee Committee for funding at the next scheduled hearing (Fall emergency hearing likely in September, Spring emergency hearing likely in February, Spring annual hearing likely in April). If money is allocated then Student Activities will notify the Business Office to set up an account and deposit the funds.
Office of Student Activities
Sewanee: The University of the South
735 University Ave.
Sewanee, TN 37383
931-598-1208 (phone)
931-598-1864 (fax)
