621.1 Recognition of Student Organizations
A group of Cal Poly students may petition the University for official recognition as a Recognized Student Organization (RSO).
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 RSOs and for any official acts of dissolution.
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621.2 Policy Statement
Minimum Requirements for Recognized Student Organizations
RSOs shall not discriminate on the basis of protected status, including age, disability (physical and mental), gender, gender identity (including nonbinary or transgender), gender expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, nationality, pregnancy or related conditions, race or ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), religion or religious creed, sex (including sex stereotyping or sex characteristics), sexual orientation, and veteran or military status. The prohibition on membership policies that discriminate on the basis of gender does not apply to social fraternities and sororities (Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41500).
RSOs 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 RSOs shall support the mission of the University.
Each officially recognized student organization must have a university advisor who is either a faculty member or professional staff member who is an employee of the CSU or one of its auxiliaries. Campuses may permit part-time faculty and professional staff to serve as advisors. Each RSO shall have an advisor who must be in good standing. “Good standing” shall mean compliance with the relevant provisions of this policy and any other pertinent laws or policies. An RSO advisor shall serve in a volunteer capacity without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation.
RSO Funds shall be held in trust by the campus through ASI unless granted a specific exception by the University Controller. To be considered, the organization must have separate 501(c)(3) status and maintain a bank account outside the university in the legal name of the organization.
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621.3 Membership
A RSO shall consist of no fewer than five matriculated Cal Poly students and 100% of the student organization membership shall be matriculated Cal Poly students.
Each RSO shall have at a minimum a president and treasurer. Any such president and treasurer shall:
- Comply with the California State University definition of Minor Student Representative Officers in Executive Order 1068
- Be matriculated Cal Poly students
- Maintain a minimum campus term grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
- Be in good standing and shall not be on probation of any kind
- Undergraduate incumbents must earn 6 semester (9 quarter) units per term while holding office. Graduate and credential incumbents must earn 3 semester (4 quarter) units per term while holding office.
- Students enrolled at quarter campuses must attend a minimum of two quarters during the academic year to maintain eligibility.
- If an undergraduate student, be allowed to earn a maximum of 150 semester (225 quarter) units or 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree objective, whichever is greater. Graduate and credential students are allowed to earn a maximum of 50 semester (75 quarter) units or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential objective, whichever is greater.
RSOs engage in activities that:
- Are conducted by Cal Poly students and
- Promote Cal Poly students’ knowledge about common interests and
- Promote the social and cultural development of Cal Poly students and/or enhance the academic career of Cal Poly student members.
RSOs shall:
- Strive to enhance the University mission.
- Strive to project a positive public image of the RSO and the University.
- Create beneficial opportunities for personal and professional development of Cal Poly students.
- Engage in activities approved by the University.
RSOs shall not:
- Supplant the purposes of any other University program, project, or department.
- Engage in or promote activities that endanger or harm the health and safety of any persons or that endanger, damage, or harm University property, facilities, or assets.
- Engage in or promote activities not allowed in the RSO charter (refer to 621.5) or otherwise prohibited by the University.
- Use funds collected by the RSO for purposes that result in the personal benefit of any member of the club or any other person or entity.
- Duplicate the purpose(s) of other existing university programs and/or RSOs. The Leadership & Service office will make the final determination whether duplication allowances shall be granted for differing campus locations or academic schedules.
- Engage in commercial for-profit activities.
- Endorse or promote any commercial products or services. Sponsorship, where a company supports an RSO or event in exchange for brand visibility, is allowed.
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621.5 Recognition, Privileges, and Dissolution
The University shall establish procedures for the official recognition, operation, and dissolution of an RSO. The official notice of university recognition of RSOs shall be known as the RSO charter.
An RSO may petition the University for official recognition as an RSO upon a full disclosure of proposed activities and upon declaring the intent to comply with the language and spirit of this policy and the RSO charter. Such official recognition shall remain in effect for no more than 18 months. Previously-recognized RSOs in good standing must register for recognition in subsequent academic years and are required to update their RSO documentation for review.
The University shall establish procedures for pre-evaluation of the risks associated with any proposed RSO charter and/or activities; and for providing appropriate risk management and insurance measures. RSOs 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 of accounts of any RSO with an expired RSO charter or after any other official act of termination. Funds of dissolved RSOs will be added to ASI Club Funding for the following academic year.
RSOs, upon being duly recognized by the University and by remaining in good standing, may:
- Use the Cal Poly name, marks, and symbols according to the Club Branding Guideline document and under the guidance of University Marketing officials.
- Request to use University facilities under terms and conditions comparable to other non-instructional University programs.
- Collect RSO membership dues and gifts.
- Utilize monies collected by the RSO solely for lawful RSO activities.
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