Student organizations are an important link in the co-curricular activities of the University of Iowa. As such, the University encourages the formation of organizations around the areas of interests of its students, within the limits necessary to accommodate academic needs and ensure public safety and the safety and welfare of student members.
The University of Iowa, through the Office of the Vice President for Student Services, has delegated the responsibility and obligation of recognizing student organizations to the Partnership for Student Governments at Iowa (PSGI), to deans of academic colleges, to Recreational Services, and to the Office of Student Life. Recognition of a student organization by the University does not constitute an endorsement of its program or its purposes, but is merely a charter to exist. The reasons for denying or withdrawing recognition of a student organization shall not violate the University Policy on Human Rights. A recognized student organization is entitled to certain privileges such as the use of University facilities as long as its members comply with all regulations contained in the Code of Student Life, the PSGI Constitution, Office of Student Life rules, and those listed below.
A. Recognition of Student Organizations
- Eligibility. Any group or organization which consists of at least 51 percent University students, and whose purposes are consistent with the educational objectives of the University, is eligible for recognition by the University. To start a new student organization, the organization must have at least five (5) individuals as members, of which three (3) must be students.
For groups proposing to sponsor activities that may raise safety and welfare concerns, recognition applications will be referred to the Organization Review Committee for an initial evaluation before recognition is considered.
- Membership Policy. It is the policy of the University that all recognized student organizations be able to exercise free choice of members on the basis of their merits as individuals without restriction in accordance with the University Policy on Human Rights. Any student organization whose choice of members is subject to approval by national or other non-University organizations, or which is required by a non-University organization to procure a recommendation from an alumnus or any other person not currently an active member of the local organization prior to admitting a person to membership is ineligible for recognition by the University.
- Principal Representatives. Every recognized student organization must provide the names of two principal representatives on the “Student Organization Recognition Form” to the Office of Student Life. One name will be designated as the primary principal representative and the other as the secondary representative. Only registered University students may be principal representatives of a recognized student organization. Principal representatives are individuals who are authorized by the organization to speak for or represent the organization in its relations with the University and who are authorized to receive for the organization official notices, directives, or information from the University. It is the responsibility of each student organization to update the Recognition Form with the current list of principal representatives. A student organization must remain under the direction of registered students.
- Access to University Resources. Recognized student organizations are guaranteed an equal opportunity to apply for funds from mandatory student activity fees or for any other benefit conferred by the
Partnership for Student Governments at Iowa (PSGI) or its constituent bodies, without differentiation for reasons which violate the University Policy on Human Rights or inhibit the group’s exercise of First Amendment rights of free expression and association. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create or guarantee any expectation of the receipt of funding or other benefits from UISG by any student group or to prohibit the individual consideration of the program merits of funding or other proposals submitted by such student groups.
- Recognition Procedure. Throughout the year on an ongoing basis, the University will consider applications from student groups which request official recognition. Recognition of student organizations is granted under the auspices of student government, an appropriate academic college, Recreational Services, or the Office of Student Life. In order to receive funds from mandatory student activity fees, a student organization must be recognized by the PSGI. Undergraduate Greek-letter social organizations may petition to join the University of Iowa Interfraternity Council , the University of Iowa Pan-Hellenic Council , or the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Application forms for recognition are available on the websites of the Office of Student Life (OSL) and the PSGI, as well as in the OSL and the PSGI office in the Iowa Memorial Union. The Recognition Form must be signed by the principal representatives of the organization. Along with the Recognition Form, the organization must provide copies of its constitution and by-laws.
Recognition of student organizations which are residential living units (residence halls, fraternities, and sororities) is granted by their respective governing bodies [Associated Residence Halls (ARH), Interfraternity Council (IFC), and Women's Panhellenic Association (Panhel)] with the concurrence of the vice president for student services (hereinafter, "vice president") and University Life Centers.
The Organization Review Committee shall review all recognition applications of groups proposing to sponsor activities that may raise safety and welfare concerns. Depending upon the results of its evaluation, the Committee will (1) recommend the group for recognition and forward the group’s application to the appropriate governing body or office for further review; (2) recommend the group for recognition subject to specific conditions on activities the group is permitted to sponsor; or (3) recommend that recognition be denied.
- Re-Recognition. In order to retain their recognition with the University, student organizations must submit an updated Recognition Form to their respective governing body or academic college which has recognized the organization and to the Office of Student Life, which maintains the official University listing of recognized student organizations. Updated Registration Forms are due during the first two weeks of the fall semester and during the first two weeks of the spring semester, even if there are no changes from the previous Recognition Form. Recognized student organizations must provide complete and accurate information as requested on the Recognition Form. In addition, each organization must provide information upon request to the Office of Student Life.
From time to time, the Organization Review Committee reviews the status of student organizations to ensure the safety and welfare of students who participate in activities sponsored by the organization. Depending upon the results of its evaluation, the Committee will (1) recommend the group for recognition and forward the group’s application to the appropriate governing body or office for further review; (2) recommend the group for recognition subject to specific conditions on activities the group is permitted to sponsor; or (3) recommend that recognition be denied.
- Organizational Changes. During the year, recognized student organizations shall report to their respective governing bodies any amendments to or changes in their constitutions, by-laws, principal representatives, advisers, or programs within two weeks of the changes becoming effective. Recognized student organizations must also submit any additional information or date requested from time to time by their respective governing bodies or the vice president.
- Disciplinary Actions. In the event that an organization is found to have violated relevant regulations, the appropriate governing body or academic college which has recognized the student organization may revoke the recognition for a specified period of time, place the organization on probation, or restrict the organization’s privileges. In addition, the vice president or the dean of the recognizing college, in consultation with the Office of Student Life, may revoke a student organization’s recognition, place the organization on probation, or restrict the organization’s privileges if (a) organizational funds are allocated in violation of University policies governing the distribution of mandatory student fees, or (b) a member of the organization violates University regulations at an event sponsored by the organization or in the course of the organization’s affairs and the organization failed to exercise reasonable preventive measures. The reasons for withdrawing recognition of a student organization shall not violate the University Policy on Human Rights.
A student organization that has lost its recognition is not eligible to receive funds from PSGI or have office space in the Student Activities Center, and may not receive the various services which the University provides to recognized student organizations until the terms of the organization's sanctions are fulfilled. For purposes of this section, rules and regulations promulgated by student governing bodies, such as the University of Iowa Student Government (UISG), the Executive Council of Graduate & Professional Students (EDGPS), the Panhellenic Association, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Interfraternity Council, are considered University regulations, as are the housing regulations explained in sub-section III.C below.
In determining whether revocation is warranted, the procedure followed will provide the student organization accused of misconduct reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard prior to the final decision on the proposed revocation.In determining whether revocation is warranted, the procedure followed will provide the student organization accused of misconduct reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard prior to the final decision on the proposed revocation. In those cases where the vice president or collegiate dean is considering revoking the organization’s recognition, an evidentiary hearing shall be scheduled consistent with the formal hearing procedures set forth in the Judicial Procedure for Alleged Violations of the Code of Student Life. If at any point before the scheduled hearing, the student organization agrees with the vice president’s determination that the alleged violation did occur in violation of University rules, the hearing shall be canceled and the vice president shall impose disciplinary sanctions on the organization, up to and including the possibility of de-recognition. Ordinarily, the vice president will meet with organization representatives in the process of determining appropriate sanctions. To confirm their agreement with the vice president as to the merits of the allegations, the student organization’s president, chairperson, or other designated student leader will be asked to submit a written document verifying the facts of the case. If dissatisfied with the sanctions imposed by the vice president, the student organization has the opportunity to appeal the sanction to the president (as explained below in sub-section 9).
Determining interim sanctions is the responsibility of the vice president. If the evidence gathered in the initial stage of an investigation of the alleged conduct indicates that continued recognition of the organization during the resolution of the matter is likely to cause harm to faculty, staff, students, or other specified persons or groups, the vice president may revoke the organization's recognition or restrict organizational privileges pending the final outcome. An organization whose recognition has been revoked on an interim basis may seek review of the decision by requesting the vice president to reconsider the decision within 5 calendar days after the organization's principal representatives have received notice.
- Appeals. After all appeals have been exhausted within the appropriate student governing body and the vice president for student services, student organizations may appeal any adverse decisions of the governing body to the president of the University or designated representative.
- Advisers. Student organizations are encouraged to have advisers who are members of the University faculty or administrative staff to provide continuity for the organization and assist in designing and evaluating goals and activities.
- Finances. No University of Iowa recognized student organization shall have an outside bank account without the written authorization from the Office of the Vice President and Dean of Students. Student organizations recognized by a student governing body are required to transact all of their financial business through the Student Organization Business Office, located in 159 IMU, which offers the advantage of a permanent record of transactions, a detailed monthly statement of account, and the purchasing power of the University. Failure to do so may result in revocation of recognition.
Student organizational funds may not be allocated for purposes prohibited by University policy. Applicable policies are listed in the Student Organization Finance and Resources Manual. The Office of Student Life, in cooperation with student governments, periodically conducts mandatory financial information meetings. Each student organization is responsible for having at least one representative present at these mandatory financial information meetings.
- Space Allocation for Student Organizations. Limited office space is available to student organizations recognized by a student governing body in the Student Activities Center in the Iowa Memorial Union. Organizations allocated space in the Student Activities Center must abide by the policies in regard to use of office space within the Student Activities Center. Application forms for the office space are available online through the Office of Student Life website (http://www.imuis.uiowa.edu/osl/) . Office space requests are reviewed each year and recommendations for assignment of space are made to the directors of the Iowa Memorial Union and the Office of Student Life.