|
Students interested in forming an organization must contact the Director of Greek Life and Student Activities. Recognized student organizations shall be categorized into one of the following:
- Honor Societies: Recognize and provide support for students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
- Academic /Departmental Organizations: Promote and establish a liaison between an academic division or department and the College
- Greek Organizations: Greek letter organizations that consider themselves a social fraternity/sorority
- Cultural Organizations: Organizations representing a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
- Service Organizations: Provide volunteers for on-campus and off-campus service-related projects and community-based organizations
- Spiritual Organizations: Provide a means for students of a particular denomination or religious affiliation to interact with others
- Club Sports: Promote and develop common sports or recreation related interests
- Special Interest Groups: Organizations with a wide range of purposes, geared toward unique or specialized audiences
- Student Governance Organizations: Organizations that exist as a governance body (i.e., Student Government Association, YHC Greek Council, Inter-Religious Council)
- Media and Publications Organizations: Organizations that provide students with media production experiential opportunities
For a student organization to be granted official recognition and maintain status as a recognized student organization, the following requirements must be met:
- Each recognized student organization must renew recognition status at the beginning of each fall semester. Recognition packets are available in the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities. Student clubs/organizations that fail to renew their registration by the deadline will be declared inactive unless approved by the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities. Inactive student clubs/organizations are not entitled to privileges granted to those student clubs/organizations that are officially recognized.
- Each organization must govern itself according to a constitution agreed upon by the organization’s membership and approved by the Director of Greek Life and Student Activities. The constitution must state, using proper form, all membership requirements, the purpose of the organization, and all policies which will govern the workings of the organization. A current copy of each organization’s constitution must be kept on file in the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities.
- Each organization must have an advisor approved by the Director of Greek Life and Student Activities. The advisor must commit to be involved actively in overseeing the activities of the organization. It is expected that each organization will routinely consult with its advisor and inform him/her of all organization activities, practices, and undertakings. Any faculty or staff member employed by Young Harris College is eligible to serve as an advisor to a student organization.
- Each organization must submit a current membership roster to the Director of Greek Life and Student Activities no later than the end of the second week of classes each semester including full names (no nicknames) and current positions. Each organization must immediately inform the Director of Greek Life and Student Activities of any changes in membership during each semester.
- All organization-sponsored campus programs must be approved no less than one week in advance by the Director of Greek Life and Student Activities. This approval process applies to any event/activity held on Young Harris College property and/or off-campus, which is formally or informally planned, advertised, or undertaken by any student organization or any part thereof.
- Each recognized student organization must provide one student representative to the Student Organizations Council of Presidents as an active and voting member. Meetings are held monthly.
The College may deny or withdraw all recognition of rights and privileges from a recognized student organization where there is 1) a failure or refusal to abide by College Policy, 2) danger of violence or disruption of the College’s educational mission, or 3) a violation of criminal law by the organization or by its members at a function sponsored by the organization.
Rights and Privileges of Recognition
The various recognized student organizations which exist on campus assume a key role in contributing toward a healthy and positive campus life and student activities program. The College extends to recognized student organizations the right to use its name and its facilities, when available.
Accordingly, to ensure a basic consistency of purpose and philosophy, certain policies governing the on-going recognition of organizations have been developed.
Recognized student organizations and their members may be subject to the revocation of recognition and/or other disciplinary action for violation of these policies. Officially recognized student organizations have the following rights and privileges:
- Use of Young Harris College facilities subject to the Facilities Use Policy.
- Appropriate use of the Young Harris College name and logo on formal letters and publications in accordance with the YHC Brand Standards Manual available from the Office of Advancement located in Sharp Hall and YHC Connect.
- Authorization to publicize events and distribute information on campus (with proper approval);
- Opportunity to sponsor fundraising activities on campus consistent with College Policy.
- Opportunity to schedule registered activities and events in accordance with the appropriate policies and procedures.
- Advisement from the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities.
- Ability to borrow items for events/meetings from the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities.
- Opportunity to have club or organization information on the Young Harris College website.
- Representation on the Council of Presidents for Clubs and Organizations.
- Eligible to receive funding from the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities when available.
- Participate in leadership opportunities offered by and through the College
Loss or Denial of Recognition
If, at any point during the recognition process, it is determined that an organization will lose or be denied recognition, the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities will properly inform and provide the organization an opportunity to eliminate the basis for denial.
Possible reasons for the suspension or denial of organization recognition include:
- Failure to submit officer and organization registration forms by deadlines
- Violation of College Policies and procedures
- Violation of Student Organization Policies
- Failure to act in accordance with the organization constitution or stated objectives
- Neglecting organization responsibilities as stated in the recognition process
Provisional Status
A new organization that wishes to be recognized as a student organization may be recognized on a provisional status. Provisional status provides recognition for one full semester in order to fulfill the requirements of the College and appropriate governing bodies for full recognition.
Below are some of the requirements that the new organization must meet in order to receive full recognition of the College:
- Must complete a minimum of three programs of different types, for which a flyer/sign in sheet be submitted to the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities (i.e. educational, community service related) where at least 50% of the organization members participate;
- A current list of at least (10) students who meet membership requirements for the organization and will continue their education at YHC for the following semester;
- Signature of a Young Harris College faculty/staff member indicating his/her willingness to continue to serve as the organization’s advisor;
- Evidence that all members read and understand the Hazing Policy;
- Documentation showing that meetings were held on a weekly/biweekly basis throughout the provisional period;
- All members of Greek organizations and the president of the individual organization must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA;
- Must conduct its affairs in a lawful manner according to Georgia state law, organization constitution, and the College Policies. Individuals are considered to be acting on behalf of their organization when they are functioning as organization members.
If denied full recognition, the petitioning group may request a continuation of temporary recognition and will have until the end of the current semester to submit the request to the Office of Campus Life and Student Activities. In addition, if temporary recognition is approved, the organization will have a maximum of 30 days commencing the first day of the following semester to complete the new request for full recognition. If the application is denied again, the group’s recognition is terminated. One calendar year must elapse before reapplying for recognition.
|
