Creating an RSO

New Student Organization Orientation Sessions:
Thursday, September 12, 6-7pm - Blanchard 209 & 213
Friday, September 13, 1-2pm, Blanchard 213

Starting a new organization is an exciting opportunity. The Office of Student Involvement wants to help you and your organization be successful. The process to get a new organization is outlined below and takes approximately 6-8 weeks from start to finish.
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Not all new student organizations 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.
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Certain types of organizations may require further vetting and approvals from other departments or administrators as well as additional recognition processes. This includes but not limited to Club Sports, Greek Organizations, and chapters of National Organizations.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE OCTOBER 16TH

Important Considerations

Leadership

Does your group have class diversity in its leadership structure 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? Applications should include 10 student sigatures.

Advisor

All groups should have a faculty or staff advisor. You will submit their signed Advisor Agreement as part of the application.

Club Sports/Intramurals

We are not accepting additional Club Sports during the 2024-2025 academic year and may not be able to support intramurals at this time.

Greek Organizations

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

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.

Application Process: Stage 1

- View the Full Process

  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.

  2. 2

    New Student Organization Orientation (Required):

    Two of the creators and future leadership of any group seeking to become a new student organization must attend a New Student Organization Orientation Session facilitated by a Student Involvement Consultant. These sessions will review all requirements, policies, and procedures for registered student organizations (RSO) as well as explore the resources available for all RSOs. This is also an opportunity to obtain feedback about your idea.

  3. 3

    Recruit Members

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

  4. 4

    Find an Advisor

    Each proposed organization is required to have an MHC faculty or staff advisor and should submit the signed Advisor Agreement with their Application.

  5. 5

    Attend a Constitution Workshop (Recommended):

    A Constitution must be submitted with the Application and this workshop can help answer questions. Click here for upcoming sessions or email involvement-consultants@mtholyoke.edu.

Application Process: Stage 2

-View the Full Process

  1. 1

    Complete the New Student Organization Application:

    The application form, which will be sent after completion of the orientation, must be completed to be considered for Registered Student Organization status. This includes meeting all of the Minimum Requirements listed below.

    APPLICATIONS CLOSE OCTOBER 16TH AT 11:55PM

  2. 2

    Minimum Requirements:

    The basic minimum requirements must be met prior to completing the application process. Below are these requirements:

    Have a minimum of 10 students who are, or seriously intend to become, members of the organization. Upload the Signature Roster.

    Have a faculty or staff organization advisor and upload their signed the Advisor Agreement.

    Complete and upload a Constitution.

    Create and upload a sample Budget.

    Meet the required Criteria.

Constitution

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

Advisor

Advisor Agreement
Advisor Information