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New Student Organization Process

Until further notice, students that are interested in forming a Registered Student Organization (RSO) are encouraged to apply for Temporary Registration status.

The Drake Student Handbook provides a framework for Registered Student Organizations (RSO) At Drake. Part III: Student Life, Student Organizations, Registration, part 1 states-

“Temporary registration: Temporary registration consists of the approval of a student group by the Assistant Dean of Students for a period not to exceed one semester. During this time, the group must submit a constitution and bylaws to progress toward full registration. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the Assistant Dean of Students. This provision allows new student groups to organize with limited use of University facilities, as determined by the Assistant Dean of Students.”

Student Senate has temporarily put on hold the RSO approval process. During this time, if a student organization has fully and completely submitted all paperwork to the Vice President of Student Organizations, the Assistant Dean of Students will grant at his discretion Temporary Registration status to the group for the remainder of this semester.

Temporary Registration status will allow for 2 options to “organize with limited use of University Facilities”

• Organizational meetings: until further notice, all Registered Student Organizations and Temporary RSOs are required to hold any meetings in a virtual format. Registered Student Organizations and Temporary RSOs that believe they have a compelling reason to meet in person should email student.life@drake.edu. Should the request for in-person meetings be granted, the RSO or Temporary RSO will be able to reserve rooms in the Olmsted Center over VEMS and must comply with all Drake policies related to COVID-19.

• Tabling in Helmick Commons: tabling is not and should not resemble an event. These are for the purpose of spreading word about your organization and determining student interest. Tabling should not involve any events that require contracts, outside speakers, waivers, etc. Your organization may collect names and contact info for interested students and market your organization. Temporary RSOs must abide by all campus policies related to COVID-19 and guidance from the Division of Student Life.

Temporary RSO meetings should be to maintain organization and touch points with members and should not be inviting guests or the general public. Temporary RSOs must abide by all campus policies related to COVID-19.

If your organization would like to put on an event while you are waiting to be considered for RSO status, you must do so in collaboration with an already established RSO and follow all Drake policies related to COVID-19.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Vice President of Student Organizations, Ian Klein, ian.klein@drake.edu