Creating an RSO

The new RSO intake process will open on September 17th

New Group Orientation Sessions

Constitution Workshops

A photo of a group of students who are standing in front of a white wall with the words "The Food Bank." The students are waving and smiling.

Starting a new organization is an exciting opportunity. While the Office of Student Involvement fully supports students’ co-curricular experiences, they also have a responsibility to the College regarding the resources needed to manage such a large number of organizations. Should you have an idea for a new organization, please follow the procedures below.
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Not all new student groups will be approved, based on several factors, including but not limited to the number of similar organizations, the interest and sustainability, and the use of campus resources. The New Student Organization process is a Fall semester process only. Applications are available for a limited time each fall semester.
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STUDENT INVOLVEMENT CONSULTANT WEBSITE

Important Considerations

Leadership

Does your group have class diversity in its leadership  to ensure sustainability? The new organization process should not be initiated solely by rising or current seniors.

Membership

Does your group have at least 10 members?

Advisor

All Student Organizations should have a faculty or staff advisor. Interest Groups do not need an advisor.

Club Sports/Intramurals

We are not accepting additional Club Sports during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Greek Organizations

The College currently supports organizations that list Mount Holyoke in their Charter.

Chapter Organizations

Chapter organizations may require further vetting and approvals from other departments or administrators.

Summary of New Organization Criteria

Full Details

The organization must be open to any Mount Holyoke Student who wishes to participate.

The organization must provide direct benefit to the enrichment of Mount Holyoke students who participate, and potentially to the wider campus community.

The organization must fill a unique niche within the Mount Holyoke community.

The organization must seek to reflect the educational mission of the Division of Student Life.

The organization must be sustainable over time.

The organization must be able to qualify for Ways and Means funding (Student Organizations only, not Interest Groups).

Process for Applying to Create a New Organization or Interest Group

Full process information

  1. 1

    Do Your Research

    Review the list of existing organizations to ensure that your proposed organization won’t duplicate or overlap with any other organizations’ objectives or a majority of their membership base. You may need to contact several groups to determine whether or not your proposed idea fulfills an unmet need on campus. Read the RSO Handbook.

  2. 2

    Student Organization or Interest Group?

    Determine whether your idea meets the qualifications of becoming a Student Organization, or an Interest Group. Interest Groups allow students to have a simple group that does not need many resources to support them. They have access to fewer resources but also fewer requirements. Students may opt to apply directly as an Interest Group, which is a simpler process (no constitution, budget, or advisor is required). Groups applying to become a student organization might be provisionally approved as an interest group instead, based on criteria and available resources needed to support the group.

  3. 3

    Recruit Members

    Each proposed group must have at least ten students who are, or seriously intend to become, members of the organization.

  4. 4

    Apply for Provisional Registration Status

    To obtain Provisional Registration, attend a New Group Orientation Session, find an Advisor (Student Organization only), complete the Intent to Register Form, and meet with the OSI Associate Director, Provisional Registration status is contingent on meeting all criteria.

  5. 5

    Complete all Requirements During Provisional Registration Period

    Attend all meetings, sessions, and develop a Sustainability Plan. Student Organizations will also need to develop a budget, a constitution, and have their advisor sign the Advisor Agreement.

  6. 6

    Review of all Materials

    If approved, groups will complete required policies and anti-hazing training.

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Applying for Provisional Registration Status

Any individual or group who is interested in starting a new student organization or reactivating an inactive student organization must apply for provisional registration status before obtaining full approval and recognition. Provisional registration status is designed to give groups the opportunity to establish themselves on campus, navigate the management of a student organization, host interest meetings, and strengthen membership.

Requirements for Provisional Registration

During the provisional period, interested groups must complete the list of requirements on the right. Failure to complete the list of requirements by the designated date will result in revocation of provisional status. Following the conclusion of the provisional period, the New Organization Review Committee will review the group's submissions and make recommendations for full approval and recognition. The provisional period will extend from the date provisional registration is granted to December 1, 2025. The New Organization Review Committee may extend the provisional period to an additional semester, at its discretion.

Groups CANNOT conduct any business or activity, reserve space or publicity, and host any meetings or events UNTIL provisional registration has been granted by the Office of Student Involvement

Provisional Registration Status is not guaranteed. It is granted to groups that meet all of the Criteria. Groups that do not meet the full requirements for a Student Organization may be approved as an Interest Group, at the Committee’s discretion. Groups that are denied may reapply the following year or appeal to the Office of Student Involvement asking for reconsideration.

1. New Group Orientation Session

Two of the creators and future leadership of any group seeking to become a new Student Organization or Interest Group should attend a New Group Orientation Session facilitated by a Student Involvement Consultant.

2. Advisor

Find an advisor: The name of the advisor must be included on the Intent to Register form (Student Organization only)

3. Complete the Intent to Register Form

This can be found by navigating to the Groups page on Embark and clicking "Register a New Group."

4. Meet with the Associate Director

Email to schedule a meeting to discuss the mission, vision and goals of your proposed student organization.

Requirements During Provisional Registration Period

These requirements do not need to be completed in this order, but all requirements are DUE on December 1, 2025.

  1. 1

    Meet with the Student Involvement Consultants (SICs)

    Meet with the Student Involvement Consultant twice during the provisional period to review policies and other helpful information to get started.

  2. 2

    Attend at least 2 Spark & Lead Workshops

    This series is designed to help student groups thrive: building leadership skills, creating stronger connections across campus, and teaching practical tools. Two officers should attend two sessions (they can be different sessions).

  3. 3

    Develop a Sustainability Plan

    This plan will hep your group identify goals, and recruitment and retention efforts.

  4. 4

    Create a Constitution

    (Student Organization only)  Develop a constitution and review it with an SIC

  5. 5

    Create a Sample Budget

    (Student Organization only) Create a sample budget based on the 2025-2026 Ways & Means Guidelines. New organizations are not eligible for funding during the semester they are approved. During their first full semester as an RSO in the Spring, new organizations may apply for SGA Ways & Means funding, $500 maximum.

  6. 6

    Advisor Agreement

    (Student Organization only) Have the advisor sign the Advisor Agreement.

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After the Provisional Status Period

  1. 1

    Application Materials Review

    Upon completion of the provisional registration period, the New Organization Review Committee will review the application materials provided by the group. If the Committee deems the application groups materials satisfactory, the Committee can recommend the group for full approval and recognition. The Committee’s decision is final. There is no appeal process at this stage..

  2. 2

    Approval

    Upon approval, student organizations and interest groups will be required to complete the policy and anti-hazing training, and corresponding quizzes.

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Constitution

Constitution & Bylaws Template
Constitution Workshop Presentation
Click for upcoming sessions or email involvement-consultants@mtholyoke.edu