REGULATION III

RECOGNITION AND REGISTRATION FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

The Office of Student Life and Development (SLD) oversees the recognition and registration of student organizations. Student Organizations refers to student clubs, club sports, student departmental organizations, student academic organizations, fraternities, sororities, honor societies, and coordinating councils.

A. Annual Registration for Recognized Student Organizations

  1. All student organizations must be registered and in “good standing” with the University for the following privileges:
    • To maintain University recognition.
    • To use the University name as permitted.
    • To use campus services, facilities, and grounds.
    • To travel as a recognized student organization.
    • To apply for Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) grants.
    • To have a representative vote on a coordinating council (if applicable).
    • To receive advising and support from an SLD advisor.
  2. Student organization must complete the following registration process annually by September 30: Complete an organization registration form on Events and Orgs (a chicklet found on the ƵSingle Sign On) listing five officers (i.e., President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and another Officer).
    • All five officers must attend an Officer Orientation Workshop, which includes training on the Alcohol Regulation Compliance Agreement (ARCA), Anti-Hazing, and Campus Regulations.
    • Faculty & Staff Advisors must submit a Faculty and Staff Advisor Acceptance of Responsibility Form.  
    • Fraternity and Sorority chapters must also maintain a complete roster with Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) within SLD.
    • Club Sports organizations must also register on Do Sports Easy and maintain a current Events and Orgs page.
    • Any organization that elects new officers must notify their SLD advisor and submit an updated registration form within three weeks of the election to remain in good standing.
    • If a student organization fails to register by September 30, they are considered “not in good standing” and will lose privileges as listed in Sections A. 1. above. Student organizations “not in good standing” may register between December 1 - February 28 to obtain privileges as listed in A. 1. above for spring semester participation.  

B. Process to Establish New Student Organizations 

  1. General Student Organizations

    Procedures for the establishment of forming a new student organization such as cultural, departmental, honor societies, political, special interest, etc. must complete the  available online via Events and Orgs. 
    The Director of SLD will grant final approval of the newly formed student organization when all SLD recognition conditions and requirements have been met.

  2. Club Sports Organizations

    Procedures for the establishment of forming a new club sports team or recreation organization, which is an activity within Club Sports and Recreation, shall be as follows:

    • The process shall be initiated by an intake meeting with the Associate Director of Club Sports and Recreation. Contact ClubSports@csulb.edu using a Ƶemail address requesting an intake meeting. The Associate Director will provide the student wishing to start the organization with: the Application for Forming a New Sports Club, New Sport Club Procedure, and options for an in-person intake meeting.
    • The student will bring the completed Application for Forming a New Sports Club to the intake meeting where the viability and next steps will be discussed, and questions can be addressed.
    • University partners (Beach Building Services, Safety and Risk Management, Athletics, Campus Events Office, etc.) will be consulted to determine the impact on facilities, current usage trends, and potential space allocation.

    The Associate Director of Club Sports and Recreation will make a recommendation to the Director of Student Life and Development regarding the recognition of a proposed club sports activity. The Director of Student Life and Development will grant final approval of newly formed Club Sports organizations.

    • Reasons for denying approval to establish a new club activity may include but are not limited to the following: high risk, inability to secure a university approved secondary medical insurance policy, lack of adequate on-or off-campus facilities, duplicate team or organization, expense of the organization, and for competitive clubs the absence of a National Governing Body or other University teams to compete against.
    • ASI provides funding directly to Club Sports and Recreation for distribution to the organizations to enhance campus life and student engagement. Post-season travel is funded in part by the ASI Business Finance Committee.

  3. Student Academic Associations

    Student Academic Associations are student organizations established to support students within a major, minor, or certificate program. Procedures for the establishment of student academic associations shall be as follows:

    • Interested student(s) must complete the New Student Organization available online via Events and Orgs].
    • Through the consultation and guidance of the New Student Organization In-Take Coordinator, student(s) shall obtain written consent of the academic department offering a major, minor, or certificate in the subject that the student academic association shall support. Exceptions must be agreed upon by the Dean of the College and the associate vice president of student engagement for Student Affairs.
    • The student academic association shall also be considered a voting member of the college’s student organizations council.
    • The Director of SLD will grant final approval of the newly formed student academic association when all SLD recognition conditions and requirements have been met.
    • In case of disagreement in matters of recognition, the issue shall be decided by the associate vice president of student engagement for Student Affairs.

  4. Fraternity and Sorority organizations

    Fraternities and sororities receive recognition through Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) within the department of SLD. The University and SLD, in consultation with the FSL Council(s), determine when FSL expansion may occur. FSL expansion refers to the recognition of new fraternities and sororities. For a copy of the FSL Expansion Process documents or to inquire about possible expansion, contact SLD, PH1-107, or studentlife@csulb.edu.

C. Updating Constitutions and Bylaws

All student organizations must update their constitutions and bylaws every five years from the last date of recognition or update. Updated documents must be submitted for all necessary approvals to SLD, PH1-107. Student organizations must re-file constitutions and bylaws within 90 days after any substantive change or amendment. 

D. Name Change for Student Organizations

Student organizations wishing to change their names must contact SLD, PH1-107, studentlife@csulb.edu, for the necessary procedures.

E. Discrimination

Our campus shall not recognize any fraternity, sorority, honor society, or other student organization that discriminates on the basis of race or ethnicity (including color, caste, and ancestry), religion (or religious creed), nationality, citizenship, age, medical condition, genetic information, gender (or sex), gender identity (including nonbinary or transgender), gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, or disability (physical or mental).  The prohibition on membership policies that discriminate based on gender does not apply to social fraternities or sororities or to other University living groups. Our campus shall not recognize any fraternity, sorority, living group, honor society, or other student organization unless its membership and leadership are open to all currently enrolled students at CSULB, except that a social fraternity or sorority or other university living group may impose a gender limitation as permitted by Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 41500.

F. Hazing

Student organizations may not engage in hazing or commit any act that injures, degrades, or disgraces anyone. 

California State University (CSU) is committed to maintaining an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity, mutual respect, and fosters healthier and safer environments for living and learning. Hazing is contrary to our institution's values and will not be tolerated.  

The CSU Student Code of Conduct, found at Title 5, California Code of Regulations, (b)(8) and defines “hazing” as “any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university or other educational institution” as well as “any act likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university or other educational institution. “Hazing” does not include customary and ordinary athletic events or school sanctioned events.” 

Any method or act of initiation or preinitiation into (or the maintenance of status within) a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by the CSU, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury or mental harm to any former, current, or prospective student of the CSU is prohibited and constitutes a violation of this policy.  Hazing includes not just conduct or actions likely to cause physical harm or pose a risk to the health and safety of an individual(s) but also conduct likely to cause personal degradation that could result in physical or mental harm. Hazing includes any action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. 

Section 41301(b)(8) makes clear that “neither the express or implied consent of a victim of hazing, nor the lack of active participation in a particular hazing incident is a defense.  The express or implied consent of a victim of hazing does not excuse or constitute a defense. Hazing violates this policy regardless of a person’s consent or willingness to participate and even if the person voluntarily submits to being hazed. 

Section 41301(b)(8) also makes clear that apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act and is also a violation of this section.” Passive participation in hazing (such as attending a hazing incident or being a spectator) violates this policy. The tacit or explicit endorsement, approval or validation of hazing violates this policy. In addition, an individual who is in a position to be able to take reasonable action to stop or prevent hazing but fails to do so violates this policy.   

Participation in hazing, actively or passively, will result in both individual student and student organizational disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from the California State University system and a permanent loss of recognition for the student organization. Disciplinary action will also be initiated against organizational officers who permit hazing to occur. Organizational officers are expected and required to be aware of any potential hazing and to prevent any such conduct from occurring. 

Student organizations and their organizational officers are responsible for controlling the actions of their alumni, inactive members, and any other individuals participating in their member activities.

All student organization officers will be required to complete an online hazing prevention training annually. Information regarding this training may be found at SLD, PH1-107.

The website () provides additional examples and information.

Individuals with any suspicion or proof of hazing activities should submit and online () to the Office of Student Conduct & Ethical Development (/ٳܻԳ-ڴڲ/ٳܻԳ-DzԻܳ-Ի-ٳ󾱳-𱹱…).

G. Disciplinary Procedures for Recognized Clubs or Organizations

Each officially recognized student organization is responsible for the conduct of its members and its knowledge of, and compliance with, all University policies and regulations and applicable laws when engaging in club or organization activities or events, or when identified with or affiliated with such student organizations. Copies of the Disciplinary Procedures for Officially Recognized Clubs and Organizations are available online through the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development (/student-affairs/student-conduct-and-ethical-development/disciplinary-procedures-for-officially).

H. Donations to Student Organizations

The solicitation of donations by recognized student organizations in good standing is governed by the ƵAdministrative Guidelines, Donations-Solicitation of Gifts refer to SLD’s Polices & Procedures Regarding Fundraising and Donations website (/student-affairs/student-life-development/article/
polices-procedures-regarding-fundraising-and) for more information.

Contributions (cash, checks) under $99,999 must be deposited at the ASI Business Office to ensure gift acknowledgment for the donor for possible tax deduction purposes. For assistance in properly accepting ANY contribution (cash, check, gift-in- kind), contact ASI, PH1-109, or the director of development, Division of Student Affairs, BH-270. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, has established procedures for administering scholarships and monetary awards by student
organizations (/ٳܻԳ-ڴڲ/ھԲԳ--Ի-DZ󾱱/…). Information is also available from SLD, PH1-107.

I. Off-Campus Bank Accounts

  • All monies collected in the name of a student organization for its activities must be used exclusively to further the organization’s goals and objectives.
  • Student organizations may not conduct business of any kind through an off-campus bank account.
  • Monies must be maintained in an ASI agency account.
  • All revenues generated through activities sponsored using ASI funds must be deposited in the ASI Business Office.
  • The authorized officers who sign for expenditures from an ASI agency account expressly represent that the funds are being used to further their organizations’ goals and objectives.
  • Student organization officers are held personally responsible for the solvency of the club.
  • An exception to this policy may be granted for student organizations that provide the University with documented permission to use the federal tax identification number of their parent organizations.

J. Financial Obligations to University and/or University Auxiliary

If a student organization has a valid financial obligation to the University and/or to a university auxiliary that is not paid within 60 days of the due date, the University and/or its auxiliary may place a hold on providing further services to that organization until such debt is paid.

In addition, said organization will be not in “good standing” with the University. All-access to the organization’s fiscal accounts may be suspended until the amount due is paid in full.