University Recognition through SOA is how Student Organizations apply to become eligible for benefits and resources, and indicates a formal relationship with OSU; therefore, a high level of accountability from the Student Organization is required. RSOs are expected to maintain alignment with OSU’s mission while acting in good faith in the business dealings of the organization and are responsible for legal compliance, fiscal accountability and maintaining Student Organization policy and community standards, including the Code of Student Conduct and any other applicable University policies or agreements. RSOs shall not misrepresent the mission, purpose, or goals of the Student Organization. OSU maintains the right to deny or rescind University Recognition to a Student Organization that, in the sole judgment of OSU, does not further the teaching, research, and outreach and engagement missions of OSU.
Following is additional information on the various RSO types, RSO eligibility, registration requirements and benefits of recognition.
RSOs are legally separate entities from OSU and function solely under the direction and control of the Student Organization's Members. Except as specifically identified in policy or explicitly written in any sponsorship agreement, the University does not control or accept responsibility for the activities nor endorse the programs of student organizations.
RSOs are not permitted to use "Oregon State University", "Beavers" or any derivation thereof in the organization's name, except as a location. Groups chooosing to include the university name as a location must list "at Oregon State University" or "at OSU" after the organization's name.
RSO Eligibility. To be eligible for University Recognition, the following must be true:
Recognition includes 3 potential RSO designations:
RSO designation is within the discretion of the SOA.
Student organizations that meet requirements outlined in Recognition Process information below shall be Recognized as a Voluntary Student Organization unless designated as an ASO or SSO by SOA.
An SSO is an RSO that functions under the guidance and support of a Department, while maintaining Student Organization Member direction and control. Sponsorship is indication that the Department views the organization’s efforts as contributing to the department’s goals, and therefore commits itself to provide formal support for the organization and its endeavors during the term of sponsorship.
Completed annually as part of the University Recognition process, Annual Sponsorship is a formal agreement that establishes a sponsorship relationship between a Department and an RSO. The agreement outlines any special benefits (optional) and expectations of that relationship, and provides the RSO access to specified OSU services and resources if facilitated by the Department. An Annual Sponsorship agreement is required when a Department grants ongoing Department resources to an RSO. Once the agreement is fully executed and approved by SOA in its sole discretion, the RSO is designated as an SSO.
The following are conditions and expectations that are required to be in every Annual Sponsorship Agreement:
ASOs include:
In addition to meeting the requirements for annual recognition, general liability insurance is required to be obtained and maintained by the ASO in order to become recognized.
General Liability Insurance requirements for ASOs:
To become recognized and maintain recognition as a RSO, the Student Organization must:
Upon completion of the annual University Recognition process, RSOs become eligible for certain OSU benefits and resources as detailed below. To simplify processes, reduce confusion and minimize liability, benefits are administered through SOA, which manages the processes and procedures for access.
Baseline Benefit Eligibility
Unless specifically noted below, the following benefits are available to all RSO types, including VSOs, SSOs and ASOs.
1Activities must be reported in advance through the SOA event reporting process.
2RSO must have an active RSO Fund Index.
3As noted in 6.6., ASOs are not eligible for this benefit
Benefits for SSOs
Through Annual Sponsorship, an SSO may become eligible to access these benefits at the discretion of the sponsoring Department and if consistent with applicable law and University policies and standards. Access must also be facilitated through the sponsoring Department.
4Any RSO may also become eligible for these benefits with the execution of an Activity Sponsorship Agreement.
Any undertaking in the name of, sponsored by, organized, financed, or endorsed by a Recognized Student Organization.
A formal written agreement between an ASO and a University department that establishes a temporary collaboration and outlines resources, roles, expectations, and processes associated with a sponsored Activity.
An individual working in a relationship with an RSO that allows for education, development, and support for an RSO, which are not a part of the individual’s OSU employment responsibilities.
Individual fraternity and sorority chapters supported by the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life, a Recognized Student Organization that is not eligible for RSO General Liability Insurance, or a Recognized Student Organization that chooses to maintain its own liability insurance.
A formal written agreement between a Recognized Student Organization and a Department, establishing affinity and outlining additional benefits, resources, and expectations on an annual basis.
An academic, student affairs, or auxiliary unit of OSU. This includes but is not limited to a college, school, office or program.
A Student Organization that operates under the supervision and authority of a Department. A Department Student Organization is not a Recognized Student Organization.
An OSU academic or professional faculty member in formal support and mentorship relationship with an RSO, as a part of the faculty member’s OSU responsibilities.
Non-profit cooperative Student Organizations providing room and board to OSU Students in a residential facility. These organizations generally host close-knit communities of OSU Students living together based upon some fundamental intellectual or cultural theme, each with its own unique culture, expectations, and requirements for membership.
OSU Student who is eligible to vote or hold Officer positions within a Recognized Student Organization.
Member elected or appointed by a Student Organization to direct, control and execute Student Organization business.
An individual with an active OSU Network ID (ONID) who is currently enrolled in any OSU or degree partnership program and not employed by OSU in a position that is a half-time equivalence (0.5 FTE) or higher. May also be referred to as an OSU Student.
A status gained through successful Registration of an eligible Student Organization. Voluntary Student Organizations, Affiliated Student Organizations and Sponsored Student Organizations are Recognized Student Organizations. Department Student Organizations are not Recognized Student Organizations.
The process a Student Organization takes to become a Recognized Student Organization, or to become visible as a Department Student Organization to the OSU community.
An affiliation of Students bound by an interest, goal, work, or community. May also be referred to as a club, organization, or Recognized Student Organization, and includes but is not limited to associations, chapters, coalitions, groups or teams.
An RSO in a formal, sponsored relationship with a Department.
The Department responsible for providing administrative oversight of the Student Organization program.
A status, granted by Student Organizations and Activities (or designee), to a Student Organization upon successful completion of all Registration and training requirements - which allows access to university benefits, if the terms of Recognition are followed by the Student Organization.
The primary Recognized Student Organization designation. This means that all RSOs are VSOs, unless they fall into the more limited categories of SSO or ASO.