Start a New Student Organization
Before registering a new student organization, please check The Hub to see if a student organization already exists that may serve the same mission as the proposed student organization. Use the 'keyword search' to help identify existing student organizations. All new student organization requests are processed through The Hub. During the approval process, a member of the new student organization will meet with a SEAL Ambassador (peer mentor from the Center for Student Engagement, Activities, and Leadership) and complete all steps listed below (in proper order) prior to final approval. Once approved, new student organizations will receive recognition from the Associated Student Government (ASG) and will have access to various university services.
Step One: SEAL Ambassador Meeting
- How will this new student organization contribute to the mission of Miami University?
- What student organizations are similar to this one? What makes this student organization distinct?
- How will this student organization meet students' needs that are currently not met at Miami University?
- How will this student organization attract students to join?
- How do you plan to develop leadership within this student organization?
- How do you plan to sustain the student organization?
- What was the inspiration to create this student organization?
In addition to these questions, meetings with SEAL Ambassadors will cover the purpose and importance of student organizations, expectations of student organizations, policies related to student organizations (diversity, hazing, exclusion, academic standing), the requirements of the application process, and various resources and services available to student organizations.
Step Two: Constitution Review
- Official name of the student organization on first page of the constitution.
- Date established - listed on the first page of the constitution.
- The student organization's mission statement - or description of the purpose of the group.
- Titles, requirements, and functions of officers.
- Procedures to elect officers.
- Members of this student organization must be affiliated with Miami University (students, graduate student, faculty, or staff) and registered on The Hub.
- Meeting and attendance requirements (if there are no attendance requirements, this must be stated).
- Basis and procedures for expulsion of officers and members must be specified.
- Financial obligations of members must be specified (if there are no financial requirements, this must be stated).
- Source of income and/or funding must be stated.
- Non-discrimination and anti-hazing clause.
Note: If you would like a constitution template, please contact the SEAL Ambassadors at studentactivities@MiamiOH.edu.
Step Three: Attend a New Organization Training
Step Four: Submit Application (limited time frame)
New Student Organization submissions for 2023 Fall Semester must be made during the following windows: September 16 - 30, 2023 and November 1 - 15, 2023.
Submissions for 2024 Spring Semester will be accepted from February 15 - 28, 2024 and April 1 - 15, 2024.
Please Note: All the other steps are accessible throughout the semester, but must be completed prior to the designated submission window for the applications.
Requirements of the online application include the following:
- Basic information about student organization and best contact information for leadership team members.
- An on-campus advisor (faculty or staff member). If you need assistance finding an advisor, the Center for Student Engagement, Activities, and Leadership may be able to help you.
- A minimum of ten current student members.
- A president and treasurer.
- The constitution, which has been approved by SEAL Ambassadors, addressing the necessary components listed in Step Two.
Step Five: Application Review
If the application is denied, students are encouraged to review the application, make necessary changes, and resubmit. If you have any questions, contact a SEAL Ambassador to discuss applications, errors, and other resources/services available to them.
NOTE: To create a new student organization, students are expected to follow all the steps - as outlined above. If an application is received before completing the steps (in sequence), the application will be disregarded immediately.
Step Six: Move to Registered Student Organization Status
New student organizations have one year to complete the requirements for the Red Brick Rewards (RBR) program for Tier 1. If an organization has not met the requirements for Tier 1 (uploading RBR forms), the student organization will be marked as “inactive.” To become “active” again, the student organization will be required to complete Steps 1-3 of the New Student Organization process.
If you have any questions, contact the SEAL Ambassadors at studentactivities@MiamiOH.edu.
Updated August 29, 2023