CHAPTER SIX

STUDENT AFFAIRS

620

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

 

For purposes of this policy, student organizations include the campus student body organization and any university student clubs and independent student organizations that have been officially recognized by California Polytechnic State University (the “University” or “Cal Poly”). 

In accordance with the California Education Code and the California Code of Regulations, the sole, duly recognized student body organization at Cal Poly is the Associated Students, Incorporated. 

University student clubs are organized student activities that function as part of the University under the administration of the Vice President for Student Affairs.  University student clubs may not operate independently of the University.

Independent student organizations are external, student-oriented groups that are legally separate and independent of the University. 

By definition, the student body organization, university student clubs, and independent student organizations are mutually exclusive.

The University may engage the campus student body organization to perform certain services on behalf of the University in relation to the administration of this policy.

620.1

Recognition of Student Organizations

 

An assemblage of Cal Poly students, other than the duly recognized student body organization, may petition the University for official recognition either as a university student club or as a recognized independent student organization.   

The University may grant, suspend or rescind official recognition of any student organization for any lawful reason, including failure to comply with this policy. 

The University shall establish procedures for the granting, suspension and rescission of official recognition of university student clubs and for any official acts of dissolution. 

The University may, at its option, establish procedures for the granting, suspension, and rescission of official recognition of independent student organizations. 

621

Minimum Requirements for Student Organizations

 

Student organizations shall not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability.  The prohibition on membership policies that discriminate on the basis of gender does not apply to fraternities and sororities (Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41500).

Student organizations shall comply with the California State University Standards for Student Conduct as expressed in  the California Code of Regulations (Title 5, §41301 et seq.).

All university student clubs and the student body organization shall support the mission of the University. 

Each university student club shall have an advisor who will be an employee of the University in good standing.  “Good standing” shall mean compliance with the relevant provisions of this policy and any other pertinent laws or policies.

621.1

Minimum Requirements for Student Organizations – Membership

 

All members of student organizations shall be natural persons.  In contract law both human beings and corporations are persons; a “natural person” refers to a live human being.

Except for recognized independent student organizations, a student organization shall consist of no fewer than eight matriculated Cal Poly students and 100% of the student organization membership shall be matriculated Cal Poly students.  For recognized independent student organizations, 80% of the membership shall be matriculated Cal Poly students.

Each voting member of a university student club or of the student body organization shall be a matriculated Cal Poly student. 

Except for recognized independent student organizations, each student organization shall have at a minimum a president and treasurer.  Any such president and treasurer shall:

  1. Comply with the California State University definition of minor student representative officers and provided for in Executive Order 969, and
  2. Be matriculated Cal Poly students, and
  3. Maintain a minimum overall 2.0 grade point average each academic year, and
  4. Be in good standing and shall not be on probation of any kind, and
  5. Attend a minimum of two academic quarters during the academic year, and
  6. If undergraduate students, earn at least nine student credit units per quarter while holding office, and 
  7. If graduate and credential students, earn at least four student credit units per quarter while holding office, and 
  8. If undergraduate students, earn no more than 225 student credit units or no more than 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree objective, whichever is greater, while holding office, and

If graduate students, earn no more than 75 student credit units or no more than 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential objective, whichever is greater, while holding office.

622

Campus Student Body Organization

 

The Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) has been established and organized in accordance with the Education Code (Division 8, Part 55, Chapter 3, §89300 et seq.) and shall be the sole, duly recognized student body organization at Cal Poly.

The ASI shall operate in compliance with Education Code §89300 et seq., the California Code of Regulations (Title 5, Sec. 41400 et seq.), and all relevant California State University and campus policies pertaining to student government.

The ASI has also been organized and duly recognized as a campus auxiliary organization in accordance with the Education Code (Division 8, Part 55, Chapter 7, §89900 et seq.).  The ASI shall remain in good standing by operating in compliance with Education Code §89900 et seq., the California Code of Regulations (Title 5, Sec. 42400 et seq.), and all relevant CSU and campus policies pertaining to auxiliary organizations.

Additionally, Associated Students, Inc. is a non-profit public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation and is governed by a board of directors, in accordance with articles of incorporation and bylaws.

See also http://policy.calpoly.edu/cap/800/Cap810.htm

623

University Student Clubs

 

University student clubs engage in extra-curricular activities of the University that:

  1. Are under the administration of the Vice President for Student Affairs and/or designated University personnel, and
  2. Are conducted by Cal Poly students under University guidance and approval, and
  3. Promote Cal Poly students’ knowledge about common interests, and
  4. Promote the social and cultural development of Cal Poly students, and/or enhance the academic career of Cal Poly student members.

University student clubs shall:

  1. Strive to be exemplars of student behavior.
  2. Strive to enhance the University mission.
  3. Strive to project a positive public image of the club and the University.
  4. Create beneficial opportunities for personal and professional development of Cal Poly students.
  5. Engage only in activities allowed in the club charter.
  6. Deposit funds collected by the club exclusively in depositary accounts approved by the University.

University student clubs shall not:

  1. Supplant the purposes of any other University program, project, or department.
  2. Be independent legal or business entities.
  3. Be parties to any agreements other than the club charter.
  4. Act independently of the University.
  5. Engage in or promote activities that endanger or harm the health and safety of any persons or that endanger or harm University facilities and assets.
  6. Engage in or promote activities not allowed in the club charter or otherwise prohibited by the University.
  7. Use funds collected by the club for purposes that inure to the personal benefit of any member of the club or to any other person or entity.
  8. Engage in commercial for-profit activities.
  9. Endorse any commercial products or services.

623.1

University Student Clubs – Recognition, Privileges, and Dissolution

 

The University shall establish procedures for the official recognition, operation, and dissolution of a university student club.  The official notice of University recognition of university student clubs shall be known as the club charter. 

A student organization may petition the University for official recognition as a university student club upon a full disclosure of proposed club activities and upon declaring the intent to comply with the language and spirit of this policy and of the club charter. Such official recognition shall remain in effect for no more than one academic year.  Previously recognized clubs in good standing may petition for recognition in subsequent academic years.

The University shall establish procedures for pre-evaluation of the risks associated with any proposed club charter and/or activities; and for providing appropriate risk management and insurance measures.  Student clubs may be required to provide funds for all or part of the cost of insurance or other risk management expenses.

The University shall establish procedures for dissolution and winding-up of the accounts of any university student club with an expired club charter or after any other official act of termination.  Upon dissolution, all assets of university student clubs will become the property of the University.  Such assets shall not be contributed to any third party and shall be used to support University student life and leadership programs.

University student clubs, upon being duly recognized by the University and by remaining in good-standing, may:

  1. Use the Cal Poly name and symbols under the guidance of University officials.
  2. Request to use University facilities under terms and conditions comparable to other non-instructional University programs.
  3. Collect and deposit club membership dues and gifts under the guidance of University officials.
  4. Utilize monies collected by the club solely for lawful club activities under the guidance of University officials.

624

Independent Student Organizations

 

A student organization that is not a student body organization as defined in §620 and §622 and that is not a university student club as defined in §620 and §623 et seq., shall be considered an independent student organization. 

Duly recognized independent student organizations shall:

  1. Provide Cal Poly students with beneficial opportunities for social support, leadership development, community service, and/or personal development.
  2. Strive to be exemplars of student behavior.
  3. Strive to project a positive public image of the independent student organization.
  4. Comply with the University recognition agreement.

A duly recognized independent student organization shall not:

  1. Declare or imply in any form or manner that it is part of the University or that it is an agent or representative of the University. 
  2. Use the Cal Poly name, symbols, or facilities or any assets of the University for any fund-raising or profit making activities or for the personal benefit of any member or person or other entity.
  3. Act as agent or representative of the University.

The University and its auxiliary organizations shall not act as agents or representatives of any independent student organization.

624.1

Independent Student Organizations – Recognition

 

At its option, the University may establish procedures for recognition of independent student organizations.  Such recognition procedures shall require that as a pre-condition for recognition each independent student organization must enter into a recognition agreement with the University.  Any such procedures shall provide for review, recognition, and rescission of recognition and for termination of any recognition agreement.  The University may decline to review any petition for recognition from an independent student organization. 

University recognition agreements with independent organizations shall not exceed five years and compliance shall be subject to annual review.  Any such recognition agreement shall serve the best interests of the University.  The University may terminate any recognition agreement without cause.

At its option, the University may receive a  petition for recognition from an independent student organization if that organization declares and certifies in writing all of the following:

1.      Its intent to conform to the minimum requirements in §621 et seq. throughout the term of the recognition agreement, and

2.      Its intent to conform to the language and intent of this and any other relevant CSU policies throughout the term of the recognition agreement, and

3.      That it is financially and legally independent of the University or of any University auxiliary organization, and

4.      That it is not a commercial for-profit entity or a subsidiary or affiliate of a commercial for-profit entity, and

5.      That it is financially self-supporting, and

6.      That, if recognized, it will hold harmless and indemnify the University and provide evidence of insurance and/or other surety as the University may require, and

7.      That, as a pre-condition for recognition, it will enter into a recognition agreement with terms and conditions acceptable to the University, which agreement will grant certain privileges to the organization and shall be binding on the chapter and all parent organizations.

624.2

Independent Student Organizations – Privileges and Obligations of Recognition

 

A duly recognized independent student organization in good standing may:

  1. Announce that it has been recognized by the University. 
  2. Use only regulated references to the University name, such as “…at Cal Poly” or “…recognized by Cal Poly.”  
  3. Use University facilities on an as-available basis under the terms of its recognition agreement without a separate facility license. 

A duly recognized independent student organization in good standing shall pay the University for any incremental and/or out-of-pocket costs for any services or for use of facilities. 

Reference

·   Date approved by the President:  January 4, 2007

·   Office responsible for implementation:  Administration and Finance

·   Date when the policy is to be reviewed and by whom (where stipulated): 

·   Sunset clause (where stipulated): 

·   Related University Policies/Documents/Manuals/Handbooks: 

·   Any laws, regulations or codes of practice which should be referred to in conjunction with the policy: