Regulations Governing Clubs & Organizations

Procedures For Initiating a Club
1. All clubs and organizations must be student-led.
2. Organizers should meet with the Assistant Dean responsible for Clubs and Organizations to discuss their plans to establish a club or organization.
3. Organizers should schedule an organizational meeting to assist in assessing interest.
4. A written proposal must be submitted to the Assistant Dean requesting the formation of a club or organization. Included with this proposal should be the following items:

a. Constitution
b. Goals and objectives
c. A list of interested students with email addresses
d. The name, campus phone, email address, and box number of an advisor.

5. Upon receipt of an organization's proposal, the Assistant Dean will review the material. If the proposal is complete, and if the organization wishes funding from the SFC, he shall contact the Chairman of the Student Senate to ask the Senate to review the organization's proposal. If the organization does not request funding from the SFC, he will forward the proposal to the Dean of Students for approval.
6. The Senate shall, with an organization representative present at the meeting, discuss the proposal and then, in private, vote on recognition for said organization.
7. A copy of the proposal and supporting documentation shall be retained by the Assistant Dean responsible for Clubs and Organizations when a club's establishment is approved by the Student Senate.
8. All clubs and organizations are governed by the Senate Judiciary Committee which has the power to impose sanctions over clubs and organizations for behaviors that fail to represent student life in a positive manner. Possible sanctions for such shenanigans are outlined in Article III, Section 8, of the Student Government Constitution.

Policy on Recognition of Clubs and Organizations
The Student Senate transacts all student body business and, as far as such powers are delegated to it by the faculty and trustees, it has legislative jurisdiction over various phases of student campus life. One such area involves the recognition of clubs and organizations on the Hampden-Sydney campus. Thus, the Student Senate reserves the right to refuse recognition to any group when, in the Senate's judgment, the group does not meet the purpose and mission of Hampden-Sydney College.

Requirements for Active Status
The following items are required of all "funded" clubs and organizations at Hampden-Sydney College. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in financial penalties, loss of College privileges, or revocation of "recognized status" by the Student Senate.

1. Membership and participation within a Club or Organization must be free from discrimination based upon race, color, religion, age, national origin, handicap, or veteran status, pursuant to the College's Policy on non-discrimination.
2. Every Club and Organization is required to have a constitution which governs its organization. It must be on file with the Assistant Dean responsible for Clubs and Organizations.
3. Each year at least one Club and Organization Fair is held. Usually held in early September, and sometimes in January, the Fair provides each organization the opportunity to showcase its organization and disseminate information to members of the Hampden-Sydney community. Organizations are expected to have at least one member of the group present throughout the entire fair.
4. Each club or organization must have a faculty/staff advisor actively involved with the group. This includes, but is not limited to, having the advisor review and sign the Student Finance Committee Allocation Request, oversee the financial dealings of the organization, and provide guidance and counsel to the officers and other members.
5. It is expected that each organization balance its financial books with the financial statement and immediately contact the Business Office if inconsistencies develop or if questions arise. It is the policy of Hampden-Sydney College to prepare and maintain a balanced budget. The College and the Student Finance Committee will not tolerate negative balances from any organization without the rare written authorization of the Assistant Dean responsible for Clubs and Organizations.
6. Each year The Key, the College's Student Handbook, is revised. Each Club and Organization is responsible for submitting revisions to that material as it pertains to its organization.
7. Each Club and Organization is expected to send a representative to all meetings of the SFC when requested and return all required paperwork on time.
8. New officers shall be elected and in office by April 1 of each year. A complete listing of officers must also be sent to the Assistant Dean responsible for Clubs and Organizations by that date.

Provisions of Inactive Status:
1. Any club or organization which fails to satisfy the above Requirements for more than one semester shall be declared Inactive.
2. Inactive Status means a club or organization surrenders the balance of its SFC account to be placed in the SFC general account.
3. Any club or organization that has become Inactive by failing to comply with the above Requirements may appeal its Inactive Status in a meeting attended by the club officers, its Faculty Advisor, and the SFC.  

Access individual club and organization web pages through the Activities link on the Student Life page.