Hello and thank you for taking time to learn more about the upcoming changes to the Recognized Student Organization (RSO) program at Oregon State University (OSU).
These changes come in response to the inequities laden in the current RSO structure, unclear and inconsistent access to campus benefits and resources, and the limitations in finance and accounting structures which do not align to modern ways of commerce. The new classification model addresses these issues by creating and simplifying processes, scaffolding training and education, centralizing liability and resource access and providing an option for most clubs to operate under the umbrella of OSU.
Link to Transcript of Video Module
Link to New Structure To Do Lists
Please attend a drop-in session if you have questions about which classification is the right fit for your organization or have questions about the next steps.
Thursday March 4th 3:00pm-5:00pm
Tuesday March 9th 6:00pm-7:30pm
Thursday March 11th 9:00am-10:00am
Wednesday March 17th 2:00pm-3:30pm
Friday March 19th 11:00am-12:30pm
Wednesday March 31st 3:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday April 1st 10:00am-11:30am
Monday April 5th 3:30pm-5:00pm
Wednesday April 7th 10:30am-12:00pm
Friday April 9th 3:30pm-5:00pm
Zoom Information, will remain the same for all sessions.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/92781144920?pwd=L05yRUV3ZXRtSWJWTkwxTElpL0cvUT09
Password: Clubs
Phone Dial-In Information
+1 971 247 1195 US (Portland)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 927 8114 4920
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RSOs contribute to student learning and are critical to the mission and culture of Oregon State University. RSOs 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 are provided access to resources, education and development through the Student Organizations and Activities Office (SOA), housed withing Experiential Learning and Activities, a department of Student Experiences & Engagement. In the updated model, there are still two types of RSOs: University Student Organizations (USO) and Affiliated Student Organizations (ASO).
In order to be eligible for University recognition (USO or ASO), the following must be true:
An USO will operate under the umbrella of OSU and have no legal/tax status outside of the University. While recognizing the importance of student leadership and the autonomy of the student organization, USO status indicates a formal relationship with the University; therefore, a high level of accountability from the organization and support from a Faculty Mentor is required.
Because of the University's status as a governmental entity and tax-exempt charitable organization, certain student organizations are not eligible for university status.
* Student groups who close their non-OSU bank accounts and/or cancel their tax status will become eligible for USO recognition. OSU will provide legal support for student groups who would like to rescind their tax status.
** Chapters/affiliates that operate independently remain eligible.
updated 04/05/2021 - DLH
An ASO will be legally be a separate entity from OSU and function solely under the direction and control of its student members. Because of their affiliation with OSU and focus on OSU student membership and development, organizations recognized as ASOs will eligible for access to certain OSU benefits and resources upon completion of registration and training requirements. No faculty/staff advisor is required for recognition under this classification.
NOTE: ASOs will likely be required to maintain liability insurance coverage in order to host activities on the OSU campus. A final determination and overview of those requirements are expected by the beginning of Spring term.
Baseline Benefits
Baseline Benefits |
USO |
ASO |
Listing of current information in the Student Organization Directory |
Yes |
Yes |
Club index |
RSO Fund |
Agency |
University Space - Meetings |
Yes |
Yes |
SOA Activity Grants - Meetings |
Yes |
Yes |
Club Website |
Yes |
Yes |
Club Email Address |
Yes |
Email Forwarding Only |
Liability Insurance coverage through OSU |
Yes |
No |
Use “Oregon State University,” “Beavers” or any derivation thereof in the student org name |
Yes |
No |
Departmental Sponsorship |
Yes |
No |
Advanced Benefits
The following proposed benefits require additional optional training and education in order to unlock access. Where applicable, activities must be reported in advance of accessing the benefit. Benefits may still be adjusted before finalization.
Benefit |
USO |
ASO |
University Space – Open/Special Events |
Yes |
*Yes - COI required |
SOA Activity Grants – Open/Special Events |
Yes |
**Yes – Direct payment only |
Departmental Funding for Activities |
Yes |
**Yes – Direct payment only |
TULIP (Special Event) Insurance |
Yes |
Yes |
Motor Pool |
Yes |
No |
Philanthropic Work |
***Direct donation only |
Yes |
P-Card (credit card) use/access |
Yes |
Yes |
* In order to host open/special events or to access motor pool, ASOs must provide a certificate of insurance naming OSU as also insured.
** Due to limitations of a ASO index, funding unit may be required to make purchases on behalf of the organization.
*** Money cannot be donated to other entities from an OSU account or index.
USO Only Benefits
The following proposed benefits are only available to USOs and require additional optional training and education in order to unlock access. Where applicable, activities must be reported in advance of accessing the benefit. Benefits may still be adjusted before finalization.
Benefit |
Use University logos and trademarks |
Procurement and Contracting |
OSU & OSU Foundation Fundraising |
OSU Contracted Services, including Travel |
E-Commerce (Limited duration only) |
OSU Surplus Access |
Please review the FAQs below. The questions and responses on this page will be updated continually as new questions are posed so be sure to check in regularly.
The concept of sponsorship will remain with the new classification model but will focus only on the relationship/affinity between a student organization and an OSU department or program. The following describes the sponsorship relationship:
Sponsorship is a formal written agreement between an University Student Organization and an OSU Department that establishes an affinity relationship between the USO and department. Completed as part of the annual recognition process, the sponsorship agreement outlines any special benefits (optional), expectations and accountability measures. A sponsorship agreement is only required if granting an USO on-going use and access to department resources or an annual budget. If being provided an annual budget, request for funding is submitted separately through a funding request.
Affiliated Student Organizations are ineligible for department sponsorship.
The following is a comparison of the proposed benefits for the updated model (USO and ASO) compared to the benefits for current student organizations (SSO and VSO).
Baseline Benefits |
USO |
ASO |
SSO |
VSO |
Listing of current information in the Student Organization Directory |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Club index |
RSO Fund |
Agency |
Agency |
Agency |
University Space - Meetings |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
SOA Activity Grants - Meetings |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Club Website |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Club Email Address |
Yes |
Email Forwarding Only |
Email Forwarding Only |
Email Forwarding Only |
Liability Insurance coverage through OSU |
Yes |
No |
Through Sponsoring Unit |
No |
Use “Oregon State University,” “Beavers” or any derivation thereof in the student org name |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Departmental Sponsorship |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Advanced Benefits |
USO |
ASO |
SSO |
VSO |
University Space – Open/Special Events |
Yes |
*Yes with COI |
Yes |
Yes |
SOA Activity Grants – Open/Special Events |
Yes |
**Yes – Direct Payment Only |
Yes |
Yes |
Departmental Funding for Activities |
Yes |
**Yes – Direct Payment Only |
Yes |
Yes |
TULIP (Special Event) Insurance |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Motor Pool |
Yes |
No |
At discretion of sponsoring unit |
No |
Philanthropic Work |
***Direct donation only |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
P-Card (credit card) use/access |
Yes |
Yes |
At discretion of sponsoring unit |
Yes |
Use University logos and trademarks |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Procurement and Contracting |
Yes |
No |
At discretion of sponsoring unit |
No |
OSU & OSU Foundation Fundraising |
Yes |
No |
At discretion of sponsoring unit |
No |
OSU Contracted Services, including Travel |
Yes |
No |
At discretion of sponsoring unit |
No |
E-Commerce (Limited duration only) |
Yes |
No |
At discretion of sponsoring unit |
No |
OSU Surplus Access |
Yes |
No |
No |
No
|
* In order to host open/special events or to access motor pool, ASOs must provide a certificate of insurance naming OSU as also insured.
** Due to limitations of a ASO index, funding unit may be required to make purchases on behalf of the organization.
*** Money cannot be donated to other entities from an OSU account or index.
Nothing will change for DSOs. A DSO are still considered to be a program of an OSU department, and operates under that department’s supervision. DSOs are governed by and responsible for following all university standards, policies and processes, including financial and administrative responsibilities for its activities. Departments fully support the success of the student organization through supervision of its members, professional development, mentoring and advising. DSOs function under the supervision of an OSU faculty/staff member whose role and responsibilities is defined and outlined by the supporting department.
DSOs are not recognized and are not eligible for the special benefits outlined for USOs and ASOs.
DSO Key Indicators
The following are key indicators that a student organization should be classified as a DSO:
No. Due to OSU's status as a non-profit, governmental entity, funds cannot be donated to external organizations from any OSU account/index.
USOs wishing to raise funds for charitable causes will need to arrange for direct donation methods with the organization intended to receive funds. This means working with the organization to create a way for folks to donate directly to the cause in the name of the club, rather than to the club itself. Funds from an USO index cannot be used to support charitable causes.
ASO can raise and collect funds for charitable causes through an off-campus checking account if they have one or through the direct donation method noted above. Funds from an ASO index cannot be used to support charitable causes.
Any organizations with an off campus bank account, that would like to be a USO, need to have their account closed by July 1st, 2021.
USOs will be able to access SOA Grant Funding, event funding from a department on campus or annual funding from a department on campus.
ASOs will be able to access SOA Grant Funding and event funding from a department on campus. ASOs will not be able to request annual funding from a department, meaning that a department cannot allocate a lump sum of funding per year to an ASO.
The only other difference is that ASOs will not be able to have funds transferred into their Agency Fund Index for costs that are external to OSU. SOA or the funding department will need to purchase those items through the department index.
To clarify, religious and political organizations, that meet minimum RSO eligibility requirements, will be able to be recognized student organizations. There has been recent law changes that will indicate if an organization will be able to be considered a part of the institution (USO) or need to be a separate legal entity (ASO). We are working with OSU general counsel and outside legal council to determine what classification options will be available to religious or political organizations. Decision will be communicated at the beginning of Spring Term well before the April 12th deadline.