MU has more than 600 registered student organizations. They offer opportunities for everyone, dedicating their time to things like reporting the news, fundraising money, raising awareness and simply engaging in some good old fashioned fun. But anyone’s ability to create an organization must be seen as a precious liberty, one threatened by the Organization Resource Group’s strict guidelines.
ORG works to help student groups succeed on campus, and it is fair to say it has been successful in what it does. The success stories of and memories started in student organizations are largely due to the effort of the student employees and staff members that make up this organization. And though I think they are doing an excellent job, I do have to acknowledge the student organizations not recognized by MU — they, too, have achieved success.
For starters, all organizations have to be well-thought-out. There is an extensive New Organization Interest Form students must complete prior to recognition that allows you to briefly share what about your potential org makes it stand out. They then meet with the ORG vice chair of administration to discuss the organization and the process to become recognized by the university. OrgSync portals must be created, and the club must confirm an advisor. Only then will it be presented to the Committee on Student Organizations, Governments and Activities.
This is when ORG decides whether to approve or deny recognition of a group. Considerations are debated during monthly meetings, but really, the vice chancellor of student affairs makes the final decision. It is important to note the committee is made up of both undergraduate and graduate students, allowing for new people with new perspectives to give input.
Many new organizations attempt to go through ORG to receive some amount of funding, but according to ORG’s website, it is a misconception that ORG supplies money. ORG says they don’t distribute a single dime.
This is only the beginning of a long process to gain approval for funding. It’s long and complicated and, for some orgs, can act as a deterrent.
Org funding comes from the Student Organization Allocation Committee, which reads and judges budget submissions after the organization has formed its own. The budget can include general expenses, travel costs and honorarium to bring in speakers and performers. ORG’s role in the mix? It serves as a mediator between student groups and SOAC.
A step in the process of forming an MU-recognized student organization includes creating a bank account. One must have an employer ID number (which you must apply for) in order to identify the group independently. ORG tells its applicants once they receive this number, the bank account will be open. Though the process seems messy, ORG does have some good advice on the matter. It recommends student officers record the information in the tax ID field on the organization’s OrgSync gateway, so when the time comes for someone else to fill their shoes, that person will know what the number is.
In terms of getting money, organizations apply once a semester for MU Bookstore donations. There is a $500 maximum per program per semester. There is also the possibility of receiving money through Student and Auxiliary Services, whose guidelines require it gives donations to programs that benefit the MU community.
What’s hard to understand is due to the overwhelming amount of applications SAS receives, fitting one or more of its guidelines is not a guarantee a group will get any funding. Additionally, SAS does not support requests from individuals, silent auctions, non-university programs such as camps and troops, religious and political groups or campaigns and items that compete with the operations of SAS. This hinders fundraising flexibility for organizations.
Before even considering to apply for donations, an organization must be cleared to receive funding. Ineligibility can be due to a president not attending admin training, a treasurer not attending finance training, non-updated information on OrgSync, an organization being part of a social fraternity or sorority, an organization being single-gendered, a sports club being funded by the Mizzou Club Sports Federation or an organization already getting money from the student activity fee.
If I were starting a new organization at MU, that checklist would seem pretty hefty. Organizations applying for university recognition should take caution — in order to satisfy ORG’s guidelines, it’s best they wait to apply until after they have established themselves on campus.