Kansas State University

Student organization event guidance reminders

Submitted by Center for Student Involvement

The Center for Student Involvement welcomes students back for the spring 2021 semester. The center recognizes the challenges associated with having majority virtual events, meetings and activities in the fall 2020 semester for student organizations but reminds student leaders the first two weeks of classes being held virtually means so should all organization activities.

Following the first two weeks of the semester being fully virtual, the center reminds student organization leaders of the Student Organization Event Guidance developed for the 2020-2021 academic year. The guidance outlines many important details about student organization events, meetings and activities including, but not limited to:

• On-campus events, meetings and activities — virtual should be the first option when planning. If an in-person option is necessary, organizations should work with the hosting facility to learn about required health and safety protocols and capacity limitations. The K-State Student Union, Recreation Services, and University Facilities staff can be contacted for support on preparing for in-person events as needed.
• Attendance — Non-student and non-university community members should be limited to virtual events only. Organizations should track attendance at events, meetings and activities to be used for contact tracing if needed.
• Off-campus events, meetings and activities — virtual should be the first option when planning. If an in-person option is necessary, organizations should keep up to date with current county and state orders regarding mass gathering sizes, permit requirements, etc.
• Organization travel — travel to locations on the local, state, or CDC list of restricted travel zones should be avoided. No international travel should be planned. Organizations should consider the current rate of positive cases in an area travel is anticipated and determine the associated risk levels.
• Organization recruitment activities — organizations should limit large gatherings during the recruitment process. Instead, consideration to move to hosting virtually should be made. The CSI will host a virtual Activities Carnival via OrgCentral for those organizations looking to recruit new members for the spring semester.
• Departmental student organization-specific requirements — DSOs must receive specific approval from the sponsoring department for all events, meetings, or activities — on or off campus. DSOs must adhere to university-sponsored travel restrictions.
• Community housing and gathering spaces — organizations with shared community housing should follow CDC recommendations for shared or congregate housing. Those with shared gathering spaces should follow CDC recommendations regarding communal spaces.
• Sports club practice and competition — no competitions with out-of-town competitors will be allowed for the spring 2021 semester utilizing campus facilities. There will be no practices utilizing campus facilities until further notice.

Students and advisors are encouraged to refresh their knowledge of the complete Student Organization Event Guidance. Questions regarding the guidance can be directed to the Center for Student Involvement staff at studentinvolvement@k-state.edu or 785-532-6541.