Each student organization adds to the social, cultural, and intellectual environment of Duke. The university recognizes the contributions that student organizations make to the quality of life on campus and strives to support its own mission to “attending not only to [students’] intellectual growth but also to their development as adults committed to high ethical standards and full participation as leaders in their communities” (Duke University Mission Statement, 2001). 

Recognition of any organization is not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the university of the purpose, activities, political position, or point of view of the organization. 

RECOGNITION SOURCES 

A Recognized Student Organization (RSO) at Duke University is a completely student-led organization comprising currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional students. These groups operate under Duke University policy, focus on student interests and initiatives, have completed the registration process through Student Involvement and Leadership, and have been granted official recognition by Student Affairs. 

  1. Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL) is the major student organization recognition source; the financial, risk management, and policy authority for these organizations rests with the Vice Provost/Vice President for Student Affairs. 
  2. All prospective student organizations must fulfill a series of steps managed by Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL). You can visit their website online at https://students.duke.edu/belonging/get-involved/student-organizations/new-student-organization/ 

STANDARDS OF RECOGNITION 

All recognized student organizations must align with the following basic standards: 

  • Have a unique mission that differentiates it from other recognized organizations 
  • Have a president, who oversees the operations and mission of the organization, and a treasurer, who oversees the financial health of the organization 
    • These officer positions may be labeled differently within the organization, but will be named as above for official university purposes 
    • Officers may either be voted democratically or appointed in accordance with the election process set in their organization’s constitution 
    • All major officers of the organization must be full-time, registered students at Duke University with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA. 
    • Undergraduate RSO officers must be current undergraduate students during their term of office. 
    • Graduate RSO officers must be current graduate students during their term of office. 
    • Both the president and the treasurer are responsible for attending and completing the required annual trainings offered through SIL. For details on requirements, please check: https://students.duke.edu/belonging/get-involved/student-organizations/rso-requirements/ 
  • Have a full-time faculty or staff member serve as an advisor 
    • A student organization advisor helps their organization grow and develop its activities in the spirit of the highest ideals of the Duke mission. The duties of an advisor include: 
      • Maintaining regular contact with the organization, assisting the organization in abiding by Duke University policies, helping the organization to seek out and utilize available resources, being familiar with the goals of the organization, providing support and guidance as needed, maintaining contact with Student Involvement and Leadership for support and assistance, as needed, serving as a Campus Security Authority (https://oarc.duke.edu/consumer-information/annual-clery-security-report/campus-security-authorities/) and Responsible Employee (https://oie.duke.edu/how-we-work/reporting-process/) 
  • List current mission statement, all officers, and advisor on the official student organization directory Duke Groups (dukegroups.com) annually 
  • The Division of Student Affairs maintains the official list of student organizations regardless of recognition source 
  • Officers listed on Duke Groups will be considered the official officers regardless of operating structure. 
  • Upload a full roster of members to the organization Duke Groups page annually. 
  • Create and keep a constitution that defines: 
    • Only currently enrolled Duke students can be active members with the right to vote and hold office. 
  • The organization abides by Duke University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct. 
  • To remove a member or officer, adequate written notice to that person (7 days minimum) is required before officially removing them from the organization. 
  • The advisor must be a full-time faculty or staff member of Duke University. The advisor does not have the right to vote. 
  • All major officers of the organization must be full-time, registered students at Duke University with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA. 
  • The constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote of active membership, provided the amendment has been submitted to members in writing at least one week prior to the business meeting. 
  • All Undergraduate RSOs must meet the following membership requirements: 
  • Be comprised of at least ten (10) members. All members are currently enrolled Duke students and at least fifty percent (50%) plus 1 are currently enrolled undergraduate students 
  • All leadership/executive board positions must be occupied by undergraduate students 
  • All Graduate and Professional RSOs must meet the following membership requirements: 
    • Be comprised of at least ten (10) members. All members are currently enrolled Duke students and at least fifty percent (50%) plus 1 are currently enrolled graduate and professional students 
    • All leadership/executive board positions must be occupied by graduate and professional students 

For more information about student organizations, please visit SIL in the Bryan Center or online at https://students.duke.edu/belonging/get-involved/student-organizations/  

University schools, departments, and offices may also support student ventures in accordance with their standards; the financial, risk management, and policy authority for these organizations or ventures rests with the department/program that bestows support. These are considered Departmentally Recognized Groups (DRGs). 

All student organizations are required to be knowledgeable of and abide by all General, Finance, and Event policies online at https://students.duke.edu/belonging/get-involved/student-organizations/policies/ and https://students.duke.edu/belonging/get-involved/student-organizations/student-organization-finance/  

Student Organization Finance Guidebook is available online at https://duke.app.box.com/s/u0kg2afskx2la9ap3v8410j8gslvqs5a  

Student Organization & Programming Finance (SOP Finance) reserves the right to update policies.