Student Organizations Handbook

A University Recognized Student Organization is a group of students organized around a common purpose that is officially recognized by Boise State University. University Recognized Student Organizations include:

• Student Agencies, which are organizations that receive a direct student fee. Student Agencies include:
  • Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU)
  • The Arbiter (student newspaper)
  • The Pulse (student radio)
• Student Organizations, which fall into the following categories:
  • Academic
  • Arts, Music, and Dance
  • Club Sports
  • Cultural/Ethnic
  • Diversity
  • Honor Societies
  • Political
  • Professional
  • Recreational
  • Religious
  • Residence Hall/Housing
  • Service
  • Social Issues
  • Special Interest
• Social Sororities and Fraternities
• Club Sports

More than 200 student groups at Boise State University register each year with the Student Involvement & Leadership Center to become recognized student organizations. Student organizations provide opportunities for learning outside the classroom, for meeting other people with similar interests, for developing life, work and leadership skills, for gaining a broader experience and a greater perspective, and for engaging students as citizens of the campus community.

The authority to recognize student organizations on behalf of Boise State University resides with the vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. However, this authority is delegated to the director and staff of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.

A mandatory, annual registration process for all student organizations allows them to exist as groups and have access to all the privileges afforded to them by the university.

The Student Involvement & Leadership Center acknowledges several levels of recognition:

• Active: A student organization maintaining an Active status is fully registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center. This status is contingent upon meeting all required recognition policies and procedures.
• Inactive: A student organization with Inactive status is fully registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, but the organization has in some way failed to meet registration requirements or follow procedures and guidelines.
• Loss of University Recognition: When a student organization fails to meet or maintain registration requirements or follow procedures and guidelines, the student organization will lose its recognition from the university and all rights granted to it through Active status.
• Withdrawal of University Recognition: Any student organization voluntarily choosing to deactivate its status may withdraw its recognition from the university. Contact the Student Involvement and Leadership Center for assistance in deactivating your group.

After completing the registration process, all student organizations recognized by the university will be granted the following rights and privileges to:

• Participate in Involvement Fairs, coordinated once each semester by the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.
• Check-out laptops, digital projectors, and video equipment at no cost from the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.
• Create an organization portal on OrgSync.
• Use paper, paint, and office supplies in the “Poster Island” located in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center (2^nd floor of the Student Union Building).
• Print 200 black and white photocopies each semester for free from the copy machine in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.
• Reserve meeting rooms and marketing spaces for free in the Student Union Building.
• Order catering at reduced fees through Boise State University Event Services.
• Reserve audio/visual equipment at reduced fees through Boise State University Event Services.
• Promote programs/events and post advertising materials on campus.
• Receive student organization support services and training from the Student Involvement and Leadership Center and other campus resources.

Active student organizations recognized by the university must renew their registration with the university annually. Failure to register by the communicated deadline will automatically result in a change from Active to Inactive status.

Steps for Annual Registration

To retain recognition from the university, student organizations must do the following during the registration period every fall semester:

• Complete Officer Training
  • Presidents and Financial Officers must complete a position-specific training. Officer trainings are open to anyone in the organization (including advisors).
• Advisor Confirmation
  • All advisors must confirm their role with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center. An organization portal administrator must appoint the advisor(s) to the advisor position in OrgSync. The advisor will receive an OrgSync email notification with instructions to “complete new forms”.View Advisor Resources
• Update Your OrgSync Portal
  • Your portal administrator will need to update your organization’s profile information, officer positions, members, and other pertinent content.How to Update Your OrgSync Portal

Club sports do not need to attend an orientation with the Student Involvement & Leadership Center.  For information about attending a meeting at Campus Recreation, click on Club Sports or call (208) 426-2447.

In addition to the above requirements, social sororities and fraternitiesmust also:

• Submit a certificate of insurance demonstrating that the chapter is fully insured with liability coverage. The certificate must include “Boise State University and the State of Idaho” as additional insured.
• Be in good standing with Boise State University’s expectations of all sorority and fraternity chapters as demonstrated by written authorization from the Student Involvement and Leadership Center confirming completion of all requirements in the previous academic year.