FAQs

Steps to becoming a Recognized Student Organization:

The term “recognized” is used when a student organization has submitted a constitution which has been reviewed and approved by the Office of Student Involvement, along with a registration form listing their executive board members including the groups’ advisor. In order for a group to become an officially recognized student organization at Rutgers University-Camden, the student organization must adhere to the following guidelines and general requirements:
A minimum of five students is required to form an organization to provide a strong core group, from which the organization can grow and expand.

• Develop and have approved by the Office of Student Involvement a constitution for the organization.  The organization’s purpose must reflect the mission of Rutgers University and must not duplicate the purpose of any currently recognized student organization.
• Schedule an interest meeting with Patrick Wallace (pwallace@camden.rutgers.edu), Associate Director for the Center for Student Involvement, to review university and campus policies and begin to develop the organization's constitution. 
• Register a complete list of the executive board members online including the group’s advisor.
• All new groups are placed on a semester-long probationary period before they are eligible to apply for funding from the Rutgers University-Camden Student Governing Association (RUCSGA). During the probationary period the Office of Student Involvement is looking for groups to help general interest meetings, begin to develop ideas for future events and programs and create a strong foundation for the organization.

Remember to follow these guidelines when creating your organization:

• Organizations may not serve as a direct extension of an academic course or department nor hold a similar mission or purpose of an already existing organization.
• Student organizations may not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical, emotional or mental disability, marital or veteran status (Exception: The prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender does not apply to social fraternities and sororities).
• Adhere to all Rutgers University policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
• The organization’s monies (including dues, donations, fundraising income, and funds allocated by University departments) must be maintained in an account at the Rutgers Student Fund Accounting Office (SFAO Office).

Steps to reactivating and registering a student organization which has not been active in over two years:
There are times when recognized student organizations die out due to lack of interest and individuals, however, the student organization may regain its official status with the university. The process is similar in many ways to forming a new student organization and includes:

• Obtain a minimum of five students to provide a strong core group, from which the organization can grow and expand.
• Schedule an interest meeting with Patrick Wallace (pwallace@camden.rutgers.edu), Associate Director for the Center for Student Involvement, to review university and campus policies and begin to develop the organization's constitution. 
• Receive approval from the Office of Student Involvement.
• Complete the Office of Student Involvement’s Registration Form for the Executive Board including the group’s advisor.

All groups reactivating after two or more years are placed on a semester-long probationary period before they are eligible to apply for funding from the Rutgers University-Camden Student Governing Association (RUCSGA). During the probationary period the Office of Student  Involvement is looking for groups to hold general interest meetings, begin to develop ideas for future events and programs and create a strong foundation for the organization.

Planning an Event

University events should serve a purpose. Whether celebrating an achievement or milestone (such as a ribbon-cutting), bringing people together to talk and learn about issues (such as a lecture or forum) or fundraising for a Rutgers project, events should never be an end in and of themselves—set goals for each event and always plan for strategic follow-up.

Members of the Events Office will help you set and achieve goals for your event. We will assist you in all aspects of your event planning: from brainstorming and budgeting to the coordination of services such as catering, parking, security, custodial and technical support.  For quick reference, here’s a summary of the steps to planning and reserving events.

Reserving an Event:

Simple Events:

• Student Group Needs Space For Meeting Or Event:
• No Costs Involved: Contact Events Office (reserve@camden.rutegrs.edu)
• Costs Involved: Contact Designated Student Group Administrator For Approval To Expend Funds.
• Once Fund Ok'd: Contact Events Offices To Get Help Planning Your Event!

Large Events:

• Student Group Wants To Plan A Large Event (Example: 100+ People, Admission Fees, Outside Rentals Or Vendors): Meet With Designated Student Group Administrator To Discuss Scope Of Event & Get Approval To Expend Funds.
• Once Fund Ok'd: Contact Events Offices To Get Help Planning Your Event!

Complex Events:

• Student Group Wants To Plan A Complex Event (Example: 100+ People, Non-university Guests, Alcohol, Elaborate Set-up & Rentals): Meet With Designated Student Group Administrator To Discuss Scope Of Event & Get Approval To Expend Funds.
• Designated Student Group Administrator Will Convene Meeting Among Students, Events Office, Security, Fms And Other Pertinent Offices (Such As Dining Or Athletics). Follow-up & Planning Will Be Coordinated Amoung Student Group Members, the Designated Student Group Administrator and the Events Office. 

Our office understands that it’s sometimes difficult for students to find time in their busy days to attend one of our events, or an event being sponsored by a student organization, and so when possible (and practical) we try to make sure there is some free food, light refreshments or more at an event – especially, if the event may be taking place during your normal lunch hours. However, there will not be free food at every event.

Remember, the free food isn’t really the main purpose of most events (unless of course it’s an event celebrating food!) but simply an addition to an event. Generally the main purpose of an event will be for you to be able to hear from a guest speaker – perhaps a guest artist, author, musician, speaker, etc – or be able for you to meet other students on campus. So while we hope a free sandwich may help entice you to stop by a panel discussion, movie night, or cultural celebration, we certainly hope you walk away with more than just a free sandwich.