Registered Student Organization Classification and Officer Eligibility

1. Purpose

Registered Student Organizations (RSO) are governed by the Vice President for Student Life who has designated the Department of Student Activities and Involvement (SAI) to administer RSO program at the University. The purpose of this policy is to provide rules concerning who is eligible to be an officer of an RSO and how RSO are classified. These rules improve experiential learning and the student experience, increase efficiencies, and ensure appropriate resources, programs, and benefits are distributed to RSO appropriately. The University’s practice of registering student organizations is not an actual or constructive endorsement of any RSO statement, idea, or conduct.

2. Applicability

Enterprise-wide.

3. Definitions

Registered Student Organization (RSO) means a voluntary group of students joined together by a common interest, cause, or mission which has applied to and been registered by the Department of Student Activities and Involvement (SAI). RSO must meet SAI criteria and requirements to remain active and may receive RSO benefits and campus privileges when in good standing.

Student means any person currently admitted, enrolled, or registered for any University Program, regardless of the medium of the program, or degree-seeking status, or when not enrolled or registered for a particular Semester, who is eligible to enroll in future terms without seeking readmission.

Volunteer means any person who, of their own free will, provides services to the University with no monetary or material compensation, on a continuous, occasional, or one-time basis.

4. Policy Statement

• 4.1. RSO Classification
• Active RSO are classified into two distinct types based on their relationship to the university: General Registered Student Organizations (GRSO) or University Sponsored Student Organizations (USSO).
• 4.2. General Registered Student Organizations
  • 4.2.1. Relationship to the University.
  • GRSO are independent organizations with no legal affiliation to the University or any of its entities. Accordingly, any statement, idea, or conduct expressed by an RSO within this classification is its alone and not an expression of, or endorsement from, the University of Florida.
  • 4.2.2. Mission and Purpose.
  • A GRSO’s mission and purpose are established by and fulfilled solely through its student leadership and membership.
  • 4.2.3. University Benefits.
    • a. General Liability & Workers Compensation Insurance: Neither the GRSO nor any of its members are eligible for coverage under the University’s general liability or workers’ compensation insurance.
    • b. Tax Exemption: GRSO are not eligible for any University tax exemption.
    • c. University Marks: GRSO may not use any University or University of Florida Athletic Association names, trademarks, logos, or likeness without the express written permission of the University’s Strategic Communication & Marketing Office.
  • 4.2.4 University Resources.
  • The following University resources may be available to eligible GRSO:
    • a. Access to University facilities as a Primary User as defined in the University’s Use of University Space Policy;
    • b. Participation in SAI Student Organization Fairs and other SAI sponsored activities;
    • c. Recognition at the annual SAI Involvement Awards;
    • d. Access to SAI advising, staff, and resources;
    • e. Access to leadership training provided by SAI;
    • f. Access to office, locker, or mailbox space in the Reitz Union if available and otherwise eligible;
    • g. Access to Student Government funding if available and otherwise eligible; and
    • h. Access to Catering Scholarships for events through GatorConnect if available and otherwise eligible.
• 4.3. University Sponsored Student Organization
  • 4.3.1. Relationship to the University
  • USSO, unlike GRSO, are extensions of the University and serve one or more aspects of the University’s mission.
  • 4.3.2. Mission and Purpose
  • USSO’s mission and purpose are established by the University and the USSO must operate within the scope and function of its affiliated University unit. Accordingly, it must follow all University regulations, policies, standards, business practices, and other applicable rules. Moreover, the USSO’s membership standards and operational policies must be set by its affiliated University unit. Finally, the University may utilize USSO members as Volunteers under specific circumstances described below.
  • 4.3.3. University Benefits.
    • a. General Liability & Workers Compensation Insurance: When operating on behalf of the University, USSO members may be designated as Volunteers and therefore eligible for certain insurance benefits. Please see the University’s Volunteers policy for more information.
    • b. Tax Exemption: A USSO may be eligible for University’s tax-exemption status for purchases connected to University business.
    • c. University Marks: A USSO may not use any University or University of Florida Athletic Association names, trademarks, logos, or likeness without the express written permission of the University’s Strategic Communication & Marketing Office. A USSO may use the marks of its affiliated University unit with the unit’s prior approval.
  • 4.3.4. University Resources.
  • The following University Resources may be available to eligible USSO:
    • a. Access to University facilities as a Primary User as defined in the University’s Use of University Space Policy;
    • b. Participation in Student Organization Fairs and other SAI sponsored activities;
    • c. Recognition at the annual SAI Involvement Awards;
    • d. Access to SAI advising, staff and resources;
    • e. Access to leadership training provided by SAI;
    • f. Access to its affiliated unit’s branding and marketing materials; and
    • g. Access to University legal and business advisors concerning negotiations and contracts with third parties for goods and services.
  • USSO are not, however, eligible for resources allocated to Student Government for student organizations.
• 4.4. University Relationship
• RSO members must not represent themselves as affiliated with the University unless they are acting as Volunteers as defined herein. Please see the University’s Volunteers policy for more information. Moreover, an RSO cannot bind the University to any legal or financial obligation.
• 4.5. Eligibility
  • 4.5.1 An RSO may be classified as a USSO under one or more of the following circumstances:
    • a. The RSO is directly affiliated with a University unit or program;
    • b. The RSO’s mission, purpose, function, and membership are formally adopted by a University unit or a University program;
    • c. A University unit or program provides an RSO with one or more exclusive benefits not otherwise available to other RSO (e.g., funds, space, storage, services, or permissions);
    • d. RSO members regularly represent the University at internal or external activities;
    • e. A University employee is directly responsible for managing or overseeing an RSO;
    • f. The University provides training or development opportunities to RSO members;
    • g. An RSO’s mission, purpose, or function is dependent upon a given University unit or program; and
    • h. The University considers the RSO essential to the University’s mission.
  • 4.5.2. Classifications cannot be altered without written approval from SAI and the RSO’s affiliated University unit or program. To change its classification, an RSO officer must meet with SAI staff and initiate a new registration.
  • 4.5.3. An RSO must not misrepresent its classification, provide misleading or false information to SAI to achieve a classification, or misuse University resources.
  • 4.5.4. The Vice President for Student Life has delegated all RSO authority to the SAI. Accordingly, SAI may reevaluate an RSO classification at any time and may reclassify an RSO in its sole discretion. The Director for Campus Engagement shall have final determination of an RSO’s classification.
• 4.6. RSO Officers
  • 4.6.1. Requirements
  • Only UF students may participate as a member in an RSO. Each RSO must have three designated officers—a president, a vice president, and a treasurer. Each position must be held by a different individual at any given time.
  • 4.6.2. Eligibility
  • To hold a designated officer position, a Student must:
    • a. Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student as defined by the University Registrar;
    • b. Meet requirements for registration and academic standing as follows:
      • o Undergraduate Students must be registered for at least six credits in the Fall and Spring semesters (Spring and Summer for Innovation Academy students), have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, cannot be on academic warning or academic probation, and otherwise be in good academic standing;
      • o Graduate and professional Students must meet the requirements for part-time status for the graduate professional program in which they are enrolled, or be registered for six credits if appointed to a one-third or half-time graduate assistantship, have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, or at least the minimum grade point average required to remain in good standing with the graduate or professional program in which they are enrolled, cannot be on academic warning or academic probation, and otherwise be in good academic standing; and
      • o Postgraduate Students must be enrolled for at least six credits and may not serve more than one semester while in postgraduate status.
    • c. Have no delinquent obligation for fees or other late or delinquent debts owed to the University;
    • d. Remain in good standing with the University throughout the duration of the elected term; and
    • e. Meet any additional requirements, including enrollment and academic standing requirements established by the Vice President for Student Life.
  • Notwithstanding the above, the credit hour or GPA requirements to hold a designated officer position during a specific term may be waived or adjusted for the following circumstances:
    • f. Innovation Academy Students taking less than six credit hours during the Fall term;
    • g. Registered Students of the Disability Resource Center who have been approved for a reduced course load;
    • h. Students in their graduating term who are enrolled for three or more credits, but less than six credits;
    • i. Students enrolled in a program utilizing a pass/fail grading scale or first academic semester at the University (and, therefore, would otherwise have a 0.00 GPA); and
    • j. Students who are approved by the University to enroll in another accredited college or university due to limited course offering or course capacity by a university academic advisor. Such credits must count towards full-time status and the Student must present documentation from the academic department demonstrating the required course was either not offered at the University of Florida in the current semester or is full during the semester.
  • Flexible learning courses will not be considered to satisfy the above requirements.
  • Each RSO must maintain up-to-date contact information for its officers through GatorConnect, the University’s student organization database.
• 4.7. Review and Adjudication of Officer Eligibility
  • 4.7.1. Eligibility Audits
  • At the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, the SAI must review the eligibility of currently listed presidents, vice presidents, and treasurers of every active RSO. The SAI will notify ineligible officers via their primary UFL email address with the reason for the determination and instructions concerning how to resign their position or appeal the University’s decision.
  • 4.7.2. Appeals
  • Students who are notified by the University that they are ineligible to be an RSO officer have ten business days from the date of the notice to submit an appeal as described below. Each appellant must comply fully with all instructions and provide all the requested information when submitting their appeal. This includes any supporting documentation such as transcripts or letters of support the Student wishes to be considered. Students must file a separate appeal for each semester in which they are found ineligible.
  • 4.7.3. Appeals Committee
  • Timely appeals will be reviewed by the Officer Eligibility Appeals Committee (Appeals Committee). The Appeals Committee is chaired by the Director of Campus Engagement, or their designee, and must comprise one staff member from the Dean of Students Office, one staff member of SAI, one academic advisor, and two University students appointed by the Student Body President. Additional members may be appointed by the Appeals Committee chair at their sole discretion.
  • The Appeals Committee must meet at least once each Fall and Spring semester in which a university student has filed an appeal and may meet more often should the chair deem it necessary.
  • 4.7.4. Appeal Decisions
  • The Appeals Committee will review submitted appeals at least once each Fall and Spring semester. Students must file their appeal as instructed in their ineligibility notice. Appeal decisions will be sent to the UFL email address the Student used to submit their appeal. An appeal decision applies only to the semester in which it was issued.
  • 4.7.5. Ineligible Students
  • Upon notice from the University that an RSO officer is ineligible to hold a given position—and the Student has waived or exhausted all available appeals—the Student must resign their position as officer immediately. The notice of ineligibility will include specific instructions for the Student to resign officially.
  • Students are not required to disclose to their RSO why they are resigning their position or that the University found them to be ineligible. Should an ineligible Student fail to resign their position, however, the University will notify the RSO’s remaining eligible officers and the RSO’s faculty advisor of the officer’s disqualification and that the RSO must appoint a new, eligible Student to fill the position. An RSO that fails to timely backfill a required office position will be administratively deactivated by the University. To be reinstated, the RSO must reregister in the next registration cycle.
• 4.8. Policy Violations
• Failure to comply with University regulations and policies may result in disciplinary action including suspension, termination, or expulsion.
• Each registered student organization’s purposes and activities shall comply with applicable provisions of the United States Constitution, federal laws, the Constitution of the State of Florida, state laws, rules and regulations of the Board of Governors, the University of Florida Board of Trustees, University of Florida, and the University of Florida Student Conduct Code, and the purposes set forth in the Student Body Constitution, and the constitution of the student organization. The student organization and its officers are responsible and accountable for all actions of the organization. Any violation of law, Board of Governors’ rules and regulations, University of Florida Board of Trustees rules and regulations, or University of Florida rules shall be considered as offenses committed by the organization. Its officers or members shall be subject to action pursuant to the provisions of the University of Florida Student Conduct Code. Any violation by a student organization shall render the organization’s registration subject to review and possible revocation. Benefits of registration include but are not limited to, use of university name and facilities, eligibility for activity and service fee funding, and participation in university events.
• 4.9. Questions
• Questions about this policy or reports of suspected violations should be directed to:
  • Department of Student Activities and Involvement
    Homepage – Student Involvement
    352-392-1671
    SAI@ufsa.ufl.edu (for general questions) or SAIorganizations@ufsa.ufl.edu (for specific reports)

History