Starting a New Student Organization

Any group of students may organize and request status as a Hamline University organization. It is easy to form a Hamline student organization. There are two types of Hamline University recognized student organizations; those chartered through Hamline University Student Congress and those registered through the Student Activities and Leadership Development Office and academic departments. Your group must meet the following criteria:

1.      Complete a student organization registration form available from the Student Activities Director for each academic year.

2.      Provide current registration of 75 percent of the group as Hamline students. (A minimum of 10 total members is needed)

3.      Provide current registration of the officers as Hamline students.

1.      Use university facilities according to established policies for student groups.

2.      Publicize in Hamline publications and on the Hamline bulletin boards.

3.      Use the consultant and ombudsperson services of the student affairs staff.

4.      Establish a Hamline account for charging service and physical plant department bills. Each group is responsible for any financial obligations incurred by any of its members in the name of the organization. Each group is also responsible to ensure that only members are allowed access to any charge account.

5.      Use the name "Hamline University" in their title.

Revocation of a group's registered status would only come upon the continued irresponsible use of the benefits listed above. No Hamline group may discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, sexual orientation, handicap, color or ethnic origin.

Risk Assessment: Clubs that have activity with potential risk involved will need to have a special review before becoming registered. These include sports and other recreational activities. Issues involved include liability, funding, and space/field use.

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A chartered organization is required to:

* Have at least 10 members at all times

* Comply with Hamline University and Student Congress policies

* Provide activities/services that are open and accessible for the entire campus (at least 1 all-campus event per year)

* Have a clear and specific purpose

* Follow and support University and Student Congress diversity policies

* Send at least one representative to Student Organization fall and spring caucus meetings

* Have an on or off-campus advisor

A chartered organization cannot exist solely to support a political candidate. Political organizations cannot financially support any party, candidate, or political action committee with their budget.  A detailed account of the chartering process can be found in the HUSC bylaws.

A simplified version of the process is right here!

To become a chartered organization, submit a constitution to the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of Student Congress. This should include a statement of purpose, a non-discriminatory clause, a description of executive board positions, details of how officers will be elected and/or replaced.

PAC will review the constitution and make a recommendation to Student Congress, which will then vote on the constitution and whether the organization should be chartered. A 2/3 majority is needed to become a chartered organization.

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Every chartered organization at Hamline is required to have a faculty or staff person as an advisor. As organization members come and go, the advisor serves as an anchor to the university community. He/she has knowledge of the organization’s past successes and challenges and can help ensure the long-term continuity of the group as student leadership changes. The role of the advisor can vary depending on the organization’s needs, but it is important that both parties know what is expected of them and how their role is perceived. It is recommended that an advisor attend at least one organizational meeting a semester and help with training in of new officers. The advisor should be a Hamline faculty or staff member. (Although, there have been instances when advisors were alumni) If you are having difficulty in finding and advisor, contact the Office of Student Activities. Advisors serve an important role, assisting with activities as well as with organizational development issues. How active of a role they play with an organization needs to be determined by members of the organization and the advisor themselves.