Any student group that wishes to be recognized by Kirby Student Center as a student organization must answer four questions to prepare to register:
- Which type of organization are we: a Registered Student Organization, or a Campus Life Program?
The majority of student organizations on campus are Registered Student Organizations, or RSOs. These organizations have no formal ties to the University and operate independently. Campus Life Programs, or CLPs, are official arms of the University and function under the sponsorship of a campus department. Student organizations receive different benefits depending on their classification. See 'Student Organization Classifications' for more information.
Every student organization that registers will initially be classified as an RSO. Once the required paperwork to become a CLP has been received and approved by the Student Development Coordinator, the organization's classification will be updated and the privileges associated with the classification will be available to the group. New CLPs cannot access any CLP benefits until the CLP Form has been fully completed and signed. Renewing CLPs' status will revert to RSO at the end of the spring semester. If a renewing CLP needs to take advantage of University privileges during the summer, they may do so with prior permission from the Student Development Coordinator.
- What is the name of our group?
Student organizations must follow particular naming conventions based upon their classification. RSOs may not imply in their name that they are an official part of the University. Geographical designations, such as "at UMD" or "at the University of Minnesota Duluth" are acceptable.
✅ The Gardening Club at UMD ✅ Campus Gardening Club ✅ University Gardening Club
❌ UMD Gardening Club (for an RSO) ✅ UMD Gardening Club (for a CLP)
ℹ️ If an RSO successfully completes the process to become a CLP, their organization name may be changed to include official University naming conventions.
Student organizations may not use any copyrighted terms, such as a brand or company name, without express written permission from the copyright owner. Student organizations also may not use any for-profit organization's name or trademark within their group's name. Kirby Student Center reserves the right to refuse registration to any group representing or using these terms in their group name.
- Who will belong to our organization?
All student organizations must be initiated and managed by currently enrolled UMD students. Before registration, groups should identify the individuals who will fulfill the following roles:
• A minimum of four UMD undergraduate students who are currently registered for at least six credits. Graduate and professional students are permitted with verification of their enrollment from their academic department.
ℹ️ Non-UMD students or members of the community may be involved in a student organization, but two-thirds of the total membership of the organization must meet the UMD student enrollment criteria.
ℹ️ Organizations are reminded that they must comply with local, state, and federal regulations, in addition to University policies and procedures, as they apply to group membership and access to programs. University policies include, but are not limited to, the Board of Regents Policy on Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action.
• Four members of the group must identify themselves as officers, with one of these officers being identified as the "president". The president must be an enrolled UMD student, as described above. The other three officers may identify themselves with any title, whether that title is a traditional one like "vice president" or "treasurer," or a more group-specific title.
ℹ️ If an officer is no longer enrolled at UMD or registers for less than the minimum credit requirement, the officer will be removed from the roster of officers for the organization. If, as a result of this removal, the organization as less than four officers on its roster, the group will have 30 days to replace the officer or the group's status will be changed to frozen and all RSO/CLP benefits will be suspended.
• At least one member must be identified as the campus contact for the organization. That member's profile on the roster of the group must be marked as public.
- Do we need an advisor?
If your organization plans to file for CLP status, then a faculty/staff advisor is mandatory. Your club's registration will not be approved without one.
RSOs, however, may choose whether or not to seek out a faculty/staff advisor. Having an advisor is highly recommended for many reasons, not the least of which is that the members of the group can develop a relationship with the advisor that can be very personally and professionally beneficial. For more information on the pros and cons of faculty/staff advisement, contact the Student Development Coordinator.