Recognized Student Organization Categories help student organization leaders define the purpose of their organization. Recognized student organizations can self-select into the category that best fits the mission of their organization. Recognized student organization categories are primarily used as a filter on BeInvolved for individuals looking for specific groups and during involvement fairs, like Student Org Night and Explore Madison Fairs, to determine table placement.  

Academic – Organizations whose mission relates to student success in a particular college or area of study. This includes all honor societies. 

Armed Services – Organizations who are primarily related to the United States Armed forces. 

Sport Clubs– Organizations that compete with sport clubs teams at other universities. These sport clubs are also recognized and supported by the Sport Club Council and the University Recreation Center. 

Fraternity and Sorority – Fraternities and sororities that are affiliated with the Panhellenic Council (National Panhellenic Council), Interfraternity Council (North American Interfraternity Conference/NIC or affiliates) and the Inter-Cultural Greek Council. 

Health and Wellness – Organizations whose primary focus is to enhance well-being through promotion of a healthy lifestyle in physical aspects, mental aspects, or both aspects.  

Language, Culture-Based or Affinity Group – Organizations that offer opportunities to explore language, cultural and social aspects of various cultural and international groups while fostering cultural diversity and support for their members and the campus community. 

Leadership – Organizations that promote personal and organizational influence on campus. 

Performing and Visual Arts – Organizations whose primary focus is using visual and performing arts such as painting, sculpting, drawing, theatre and dance to convey artistic expression. 

Political, Issue-Oriented or Advocacy – Organizations whose primary purpose and activities support or oppose any specific ideology, political thought or cause. 

Professional Development – Organizations whose purpose and activities help prepare students for professions after graduation. 

Publication and Media – Organizations whose primary focus involves the use of mediums of mass communication including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, video production, and podcasting. 

Recreation – Organizations that promote sports-oriented programs and/or recreational activities. 

Religion/Spirituality – Organizations whose primary activity is worship, devotion, prayer, meditation or study of religious concepts. These organizations serve as support for students of a particular religious persuasion or denomination or discuss a religious ideology. 

Service-Oriented – Organizations whose main purpose is to provide a learning opportunity for students through community service and volunteering. This includes service fraternities. 

Special Interest – These organizations offer students opportunities to get involved in a variety of activities that are not generally offered in any other category. 

In addition to the listed categories, recognized student organizations are also identified as an “Open Organization” and a “Closed Organization” group. 

Open Organizations – Any student can join the organization at any point. There is no formal recruitment process to gain and/or maintain membership in the group.  

Closed Organization - Upon invitation for membership, individuals do not automatically become members of the organization and have a period of time between invitation for membership and being initiated into membership. An application, interview, recruitment, rush, intake or similar process is required for admittance into the organization, with current members able to not accept all potential new members. 

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