Kansas State University

Updates to the Student Organization Registration Policy

Submitted by Center for Student Involvement

As part of the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State, a group of individuals representing faculty, staff and students have reviewed several components associated with the Student Organization Registration Policy with the goal of identifying and addressing institutional bias and barriers to engagement through an equity lens.

The review workgroup has opted to take a multiphase approach to adjust the Student Organization Policy, taking some immediate action on those items that were more achievable in a quick turnaround and then transition the focus toward any substantial changes to the structure of the policy — doing so in a methodical, thoughtful and intentional manner focused on centering student voice throughout the process.

The phase one changes are viewed as changes not expressly addressing the goal of the Action Plan; however, they are changes that will make the review and approval process of student organizations more transparent to those in the campus community.

The following outline the changes will take effect immediately:

1. Registration Timeline
• Student organizations will continue to be able to register via a rolling registration with a priority deadline established. The rolling registration style will provide the greatest access for students to get involved in campus life and setting a priority deadline will allow for a specific list of organizations to be shared with prospective students and families, as well as other interested parties, at any given point. Additionally, a priority deadline allows for some incentives to encourage organizations to complete the registration requirements sooner than later.
• With this change, annual registration will open on the first business day of April for the following academic year and the priority deadline will be 30 business days following the opening of registration.
2. Organization Statuses
• A set of organizations' statuses have been established and will be made public to assist in recognizing an organization's presence on campus. The statuses will also help clarify to students what requirements must be met in order to be considered active on campus. Five statuses have been established and will include:
• Provisional — organizations wishing to register for the first time on campus or those that drop below the minimum five-member requirement for active registration. Limited benefits will be afforded to groups with this status.
• Active — organizations that have completed the annual registration requirements for the current academic year. Full benefits will be afforded to groups with this status.
• Inactive — organizations that have not completed the annual registration requirements for the current academic year. No benefits will be afforded to groups with this status.
• Dormant — organizations that have been in inactive status for one or more academic years. No benefits will be afforded to groups with this status.
• Revoked — organizations that have had their registration status revoked due to non-compliance with university policies or at the request of organization leadership. No benefits will be afforded to groups with this status.
• For those groups with provisional status, limited benefits will be granted aimed at helping them with the recruitment of members to the organization. These limited benefits will include:
• One reservation in the CSI Conference Room for the purpose of hosting interest meetings.
• One tabling reservation in the K-State Student Union, under the guidance of the CSI, for the purpose of advertising the organization and recruiting members.
• One social media post on the CSI channels for the purpose of advertising the organization.

The formally updated language will be published soon on the website and will include some additional edits to reflect these changes.

The Student Organization Registration Policy review workgroup will resume meeting this month with the goal of having additional campus feedback sessions and additional phases of changes to the policy to come in the coming months. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to keep up to date with opportunities to share your feedback on the current policy via K-State Today where information will be shared about upcoming Listening Circles.

Questions, comments, or concerns about the Student Organization Registration Policy can be directed to Kelli Farris, executive director in the Center for Student Involvement, at kellifarris@k-state.edu.