Definition of a Recognized Student Organization 

A recognized student organization is a student group that completed the annual or new student organization registration process through the Office of Student Life and received official notice of recognition. This definition can be found within the Student Handbook.  

Relation of the University to Student Organizations 

Recognition of student organizations shall not be construed as agreement, support or approval by the University, but only as acknowledgement of the organization’s presence at the University, subject to the conditions enumerated herein. 

In other words, recognized student organizations are not an arm or extension of the University. Through recognition your organization is granted permission to access certain campus resources (e. g., space reservations). Additional privileges are listed below.

• All recognized student organizations must follow all federal, state, and local laws, as well as University policies. The University may address the off-campus behavior of recognized student organizations if it meets the jurisdiction outlined in the Student Handbook. 
• No recognized student organization may discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic as set forth in University policy 1302. Please review the Department of Education Title IX Exemption webpage to learn more about organizations that may be eligible.  
• Recognized student organizations may not engage in hazing activities or other forms of misconduct, as outlined in the Standards of Conduct and Policies in the Student Handbook.  
• Organizations cannot use trademarked or registered names in their official title (except either as permitted with explicit permission and/or approval of an affiliated national organization as permitted by an authorized third party. Names and titles of student organizations must be unique and distinguishable from existing student organizations.
• Only enrolled students shall be eligible for student membership status in recognized student organizations. All other persons, including but not limited to, faculty, staff and community members, may be admitted to associate membership. 
• Undergraduate and graduate students must be enrolled to be eligible to serve as appointed or elected officers within their organizations. Recognized student organizations may establish and apply additional eligibility criteria for appointed or elected leaders/officers if the criteria do not violate the University’s non-discrimination policy 1302. 
• The purpose of a recognized student organization must not conflict with the educational functions or established policies of the University. It is incumbent upon any person presenting objections to the application for recognition or continuance of an organization to demonstrate how and in what manner the registration or continuance of that organization would conflict with the policies of the University. These concerns should be directed to Student Leadership and Involvement. Meaning, if an individual feels a recognized student organization conflicts with the education functions or established policies of the University, the individual is responsible for presenting these concerns to Student Leadership and Involvement. 
• The purpose and/or functions of a recognized student organization must not duplicate those of an existing recognized student organization. This requirement, however, is not applicable to a recognized student organization with religious or political purposes and/or functions as declared in its constitution on file with the University. The University may rescind the recognized status of a student organization upon a determination that the student organization is no longer fulfilling the purposes and/or functions described in its constitution. If a recognized student organization feels that a newly recognized organization duplicates its stated purpose as set forth in its constitution, it may seek a review through the Director of Student Life. This is accomplished by providing a letter explaining how another recognized student organization duplicates its stated purpose. Preference is given to the recognized student organization that is active and has had recognized status longer. 
• If there is reasonable cause to believe that the organization seeking recognition is merely a reconstitution, in some form, of an organization that has lost University recognition, the request for recognition may be denied. Reasonable cause to draw this conclusion may be based on any of multiple factors, including but not limited to overlapping membership, similarity of purpose, and the timing of both the prior loss of recognition and the request for new recognition. If it is determined that a recognized student organization is a reconstitution of a previous organization that lost University recognition, recognition shall be revoked if there is reasonable cause to do so. 

To maintain recognition status, all recognized student organizations must comply with the following:  

1. All recognized student organizations will be held responsible by the University for abiding by federal, state, and local laws, as well as all University policies and regulations. The University may address the off-campus behavior of recognized student organizations if it meets the jurisdiction outlined in the Student Handbook. 
2. Adhere to all policies and procedures set out by Student Life, CMSS, UREC and the University as relevant to each recognized student organization.   
3. Complete the annual registration process for each academic year. 
4. Have an organization adviser who is full-time, part-time, or an affiliate faculty or staff member at James Madison University as outlined in JMU Policy 3101. 
5. Maintain and update organization page on BeInvolved, including current roster information and organization constitution. 

Before receiving the privileges associated with university recognition, recognized student organizations are required to complete certain trainings, registrations, and processes, including but not limited to annual registration and Adam’s Law training. Additionally, if a student organization has dual recognition from a University department, recognized student organizations are also responsible for following processes and policies by the designated department. The privileges are as follows. 

1. Access to the Club House, a resource center for recognized student organizations to create advertising and marketing materials during open hours 
2. Opportunity to receive an official organizational mailbox if requested through the Start an Organization Process or Annual Registration  
3. Ability to reserve and use space and facilities on campus for meetings, events, and advertising adhering to Event Management guidelines 
4. Eligibility to participate in Student Org Night each semester 
5. Official organization page through BeInvolved for organization management (beinvolved.jmu.edu) 
6. Eligibility to fundraise on campus through approved programs and activities  
7. Eligibility to apply for funding consistent with the rules and procedures of the Student Government Association (SGA) as allowed by each organization's governing office 
8. Opportunity to be honored through the Student Organization Awards and Recognitions (SOAR) Ceremony 
9. Eligibility for rental of JMU State Vehicles providing all requirements set by Transportation Services are met. 

If you have any questions, please contact Student Life at beinvolved@jmu.edu.