Student organizations are groups formed by or for students.  In order to use College facilities (meeting rooms, mail service, printing, dining services, Student Senate funding and the right to participate in College functions), the organization must be officially recognized.  Official recognition lasts until the end of the current academic year and is renewed annually by filling out an organizational Annual Report form, supplied by the Office of Student Activities.

To form a recognized student organization (RSO), interested individuals must follow this procedure: 1) Consult with the Office of Student Activities in Billingsly Student Center, room 222, to insure against unnecessary duplication with similar organizations and to see if an organization of this type has existed in the past.  2) At this time, the group may obtain an organization charter packet consisting of a blank constitution form and examples of approved constitutions.  3) Secure a faculty/staff advisor.  4)Formulate an organizational constitution using the examples in the packet, stating the goals and purposes of the group.  Upon completion of the first draft of the constitution, consult the Director of Student Activities for suggestions and advisement.  5)Collect and present the names of at least 20 charter members, all of whom must be regularly enrolled students of Missouri Southern who carry a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.  6) If all paperwork is completely filled out and no changes are required, the constitution must be approved by the Director of Student Activities and the Dean of Students.  Upon approval, the organization is officially recognized through the remainder of that academic year.  An organization must be active for one full academic semester to be eligible for Student Senate funding.  Upon receipt of application materials, new organizations may be tentatively approved by the Director of Student Activities until the formal process is completed.  This will enable the group to use College facilities on a temporary basis. 

Minimum Grade Point Requirements

It is recommended that each member of a recognized student organization have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.  Each group is free to set higher standards, but the minimum must be maintained. 

Adviser

Each recognized organization must have a faculty or staff adviser.  The duty of the adviser is to assist the group, through advice and counsel, to attain its stated goals and purposes.  The students, not the College, designate most advisers for organizations, except for student government groups.  The College does not pay any compensation attributable to advisory activities, and faculty members serving such roles do so voluntarily in their personal capabilities.  It is a requirement of the College that and organization's adviser (or another faculty/staff member) attend all after-hours, on campus gatherings of the group.

Scheduling Activities

To schedule an activity, the following procedure must be followed:  1) Only recognized student organizations may sponsor activities.  2) The proper officer of that organization must personally visit the Office of Student Activities to: a. properly register the activity and its time, place, and type.  b. check for conflicts.  c. fill out the appropriate facilities reservation forms.  d. be informed of the college policies concerning publicity.  3) See the Director of Student Activities if the event should be listed on the student calendar.  4) Deviations from the policies must be granted by the Dean of Students.

Deadlines

Facilities are on a first-come, first-served basis.  The sooner an event is scheduled, the better.  The Student Center may be reserved up to a semester in advance, and a full two weeks notice is required for an major social function.  Organizational meetings and smaller social functions require at least five business days' notice. 

Refreshments and Meals

Food and beverages for any meeting or event on campus must be ordered from the College Dining Service, located on the second floor of Billingsly Student Center.  Absolutely no food or beverages may be brought on campus (indoors or outdoors) without prior approval of the Dining Services General Manager, regardless of whether the food was donated.

Annual Organization Report

All approved organizations are required to submit annually a form showing the name, adviser(s) and officers of the organization.  These forms will be due in the Student Activities Office two weeks after classes begin.  Any changes in the information contained in the form should be submitted within two weeks after such change occurs.  Failure to file these forms and to keep them current will automatically place the organization on 'inactive' status.  A semester end report is also due by the last week of the semester.  This report will show activities, meetings, projects and fundraisers the club had during the year. 

Only 'active' campus organizations are entitled to the following privileges: club mailbox in Student Center; free reservation of facilities; eligibility for Student Senate money; participation in Homecoming; and listing as an official campus organization at Missouri Southern.  Inactive organizations that want to reactivate must submit their annual report, have their group reapproved by the Student Activities Director and the Dean of Students.  Once reactivated, the organization must wait one full academic semester to receive funds from Student Senate. 

Leadership Training

In order for recognized student organizations to maintain their approved status, at least one representative of each currently recognized group must attend each of the leadership training sessions sponsored by the Department of Student Activities and the Student Senate.  Failure to have a representative attend each of the sessions may suspend the group's right to request funding from Student Senate. 

Standard of Conduct and Discipline

Students are adults who are expected to take responsibility for their own personal conduct, subject to those college rules necessary to maintain safety and order on campus and high academic standards.  Student organizations are responsible for conducting their affairs in a manner that reflects favorably upon themselves and the College.  Such responsibilities include: 

1) compliance with College regulations

2) taking reasonable as a group to prevent violations of low or College regulations by members of the group

3) a willingness to deal individually with those members of the group whose behavior reflects unfavorably upon that group or upon the College

4) acknowledging that the College strictly prohibits any form of hazing (to initiate or discipline fellow students by forcing them to do ridiculous, humiliating, dangerous or painful things).  Failure to accept the responsibilities of group membership may subject that organization to permanent or temporary suspension of charter, withdrawal of College recognition and/or support, social probation, denial of use of College facilities or other appropriate action.

5) complying with all state and federal laws and local ordinances regulating the sale, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages off campus (alcohol is prohibited on campus).  It is a violation of Missouri law for any person under 21 years to purchase, attempt to purchase or have in their possession any alcoholic beverages without appropriate licenses. 

6) properly advertising on campus.  All posters, signs, announcements and banners prepared by student organizations must be approved at the Student Activities Office (BSC 222) BEFORE they are displayed on campus.  Statements and/or pictures that infer alcohol consumption, or that could be interpreted as racist, sexist or negatively directed at other groups are forbidden. 

MOST RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING FRATERNITIES, SORORITIES, RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND SOME SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ARE NEITHER AGENTS OF THE COLLEGE NOR SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL AND DIRECTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 

However, the Dean of Students, after consulting with representatives of the organization, shall have the authority to impose sanctions.  Where the disposition proposed by the Dean of Students is not accepted, the organization may appeal in writing to the Vice President for Business Affairs.  The organization shall have the rights of notice and formal procedures.  Any decision regarding an organization appeal made by the Vice President of Business Affairs is final. 

Use of College Name

No student or student organization may use any printed or written words or device on any letterhead, envelope or other printed matter or publication that has official connections or relations with with the College, unless the use of such words or device is previously authorized by the Dean of Students. 

Finances

The monies of all recognized student organizations related to a division or department or student organizations that receive college monetary support must be deposited with the College Business Office.  Organizations not receiving college monetary support may manage their own business affairs. 

They may have their own checking accounts and purchasing procedures but must not use the name of the College in their account.  The College does not assume any financial or legal responsibility for student clubs or organizations.  For information about off campus accounts, please visit the Student Activities Office. 

Housing

No student organization or group shall build, buy, rent or lease its house without approval of the College.  Organizations may make such requests through the Student Services Office. 

Fund-raising by Recognized Student Organizations

Recognized student organizations may engage in one fund-raising activity per semester with the approval of the Director of Student Activities and under the following conditions: 1) that such activities do not conflict with the educational purposes of the College 2) that such activities do not conflict with any activity already approved 3) that funds derived from such activities must be used for educational purposes of the organization or the College 4) Submission of a written financial report certified by the organization adviser, to the Director of Student Activities no later than two weeks following the event.

Posters, Announcements, and Notices

Employees of the College, students, and recognized student organizations may post non-commercial announcements on the College's general-purpose bulletin boards.  Regulations governing posters, announcements, notices, fliers, cards, pamphlets, brochures, and other advertising materials are as follows: 1) Items to be posted must be brought to the Student Activities Office, BSC room 222 for approval. 2) Any item to be approved must contain the name of the individual, department, or recognized student organization on whose behalf the announcement is posted.  This must be on the front of multi-page documents. 3) Posters  may be no larger than 22"x 28".  4) There is a limit of 5 posters, fliers, etc. per building per candidate or event.  5) Materials must be placed on general-use bulletin boards only and not on walls, windows, or doors.  No form of announcement may be placed on, attached to or written on any structure or natural feature of the campus such as the sides of buildings, the surface of walkways or roads, posts, waste receptacles, trees, or stakes.  Improperly placed materials will be removed and disposed of.  6) Student organizations may distribute non-commercial handbills, announcements, statements, or materials at any reasonable outdoor area on campus consistent with the orderly conduct of College affairs, the maintenance of College property, the avoidance of litter and the free flow of traffic and persons.  7) Materials may not be placed on automobiles parked on campus.  8) Distribution by means of accosting or shouting at individuals is prohibited.  9) Permission for off-campus organizations to distribute literature on campus must be granted through the Student Services office. 

Any deviation from the above policies must be approved by the Dean of Students, BSC room 211.  Fraudulent filing practices or blatant abuse of he procedures could result in the revocation of a group's recognition. 

Elections

Rules governing Student Senate Executive Officer Elections, Student Senate General Elections, and Homecoming Royalty Elections are as follows:  1) Distance: No campaigning or posters within 30 feet of the polling place on the days of the elections will be permitted.  2) Posters shall not exceed 22" x 14" and must be removed the day after the election by the candidate.  All posters must be approved by the Office of Student Activities, BSC 222 prior to beginning put up.  Unstamped posters will be taken down.  Posters may not be placed on interior wood, glass, walls, pillars, or any structure or natural structure of the campus such as doors, walkways, road posts, waste receptacles, trees or stakes.  Posters must be placed in designated areas only!  3) Fliers, not exceed 8 1/2" x 11" must be approved by the Office of Student Activities prior to being put up and may be placed on bulletin boards only.  Unstamped fliers or fliers placed anywhere but on bulletin boards will be taken down.  There shall be no more than 2 fliers or leaflets per bulletin board.  Fliers may not be placed in or on cars or under doors in the Residence Halls.  Approved fliers may be placed on tables in the Lions Den Food Court and Mayes Dining Hall.  4) Voting: Each regularly enrolled student at MSSU may vote in primary and/or final elections upon presentation of their ID card.  5) Absentee ballots may be obtained in the Office of Student Activities (Homecoming Elections) or the Office of the Dean of Students (Student Senate Elections) the week prior to each election by students whose programs that they be off-campus during voting times.  6) Results of the final elections will be confidential until announced.  7) Any grievance concerning election procedures or campaign infractions must be registered in the Office of Student Activities for Homecoming Elections or the Office of the Dean of Students for Student Senate Elections within 24 hours of the closing of the polls. 

Guidelines for use of College Grounds

The campus is available during the hours from 9 am to 5 pm weekdays.  Application for use of the grounds shall be made to the Student Activities Office (BSC 222).  The applicant(s) shall state his or her names(s); the name of the sponsoring organization, if any, and the purpose of the appearance on campus.  Permission will be granted only for legitimate purposes, other than commercial, but subject to the following conditions:

1) One hour will be allotted for such use in a designated open (outside) area of the campus, providing the gathering will not block walks, entrance, roads or parking areas or cause safety hazards.

2) Laws, regulations or ordinances of the United States, the State of Missouri, Missouri Southern State University, Jasper County and the City of Joplin must be observed at all times. 

3) Missouri Southern State University believes in freedom of expression for all persons at such an event.

4) No person can be denied access to such an event based on race, sex or political persuasion.

5) Acts which are disruptive to ongoing classes or programs will not be allowed.  Conduct likely to incite riotous or physically violent reactions is prohibited. 

6) Physical safety of all persons on campus will be of prime importance.  Maintenance of the educational program of the College will be of first priority and must not be disrupted.

7) After one hour at the designated sit, the person or group wishing to remain on campus will be allowed to continue at the Picnic Shelter for the remainder of the day, but subject to the same terms and conditions. 

8) Individuals or groups who are for any reason unwilling to comply with this policy must leave the campus.

9) Any group sponsoring an event at Missouri Southern State University must acknowledge Missouri Southern State University policy and provide documentation that establishes that all persons participating in the event have been made aware of Missouri Southern State University policy.  The term 'participating' includes actual participants and those working the event.