Main Campus Student Organizations
Membership participation in student organizations can be a meaningful part of a student’s educational experience at IIT. Valuable lessons in leadership, planning and organization are some of the benefits of involvement in organizations on campus. Membership in student organizations is open to all regularly enrolled students of IIT, Shimer College and Vandercook College of Music.
Organizational Recognition
Student organizations must apply for and maintain university recognition with the Office of Student Life. Staff members will work with individuals wishing to form a new student organization. Prospective organizations are required to submit a statement of purpose and constitution for approval by the Office of Student Life. After the constitution has been approved, the organization will be brought before the Student Government Association (SGA) for formal recognition. A new organization must receive supporting votes from a majority of the SGA senate voting members in order to become a formally recognized university student organization. The Office of Student Life reserves the right to withhold recognition from those prospective organizations whose purpose may be in conflict with the institutional mission or operation of the university.
Recognized organizations can maintain their recognition by registering the organization with the Office of Student Life each academic year. Registration includes the following tasks:
- Complete the online registration form, made available in June of each year.
- Submit a listing of all officers and the faculty/staff advisor for the organization. All organizations must have a faculty or staff advisor in order to achieve or maintain recognition.
- Update your constitution as needed with the Office of Student Life.
- Attend student organization workshops each semester; topics include programming, finance, event management, organizational planning and more.
Contact the Office of Student Life via email (student.life@iit.edu) with any questions regarding the registration process.
Recognized organizations are eligible for university support and services, such as reservation of space for meetings and events, mailbox space, account management, advising support from the Office of Student Life, access to the Student Organization Center, announcements in IIT Today, slides on the university TV screens and the ability to apply for funding from the Student Activities Fund.
Student Activities Fund
The Student Activities Fund is derived from the student activity fee paid by each student taking classes on the IIT Main, Rice and Moffett campus. The fund exists to support the operations and programming efforts of student organizations. Finance Board, an appointed committee of SGA, is charged with allocating and distributing the fund among student organizations. Any recognized and registered organization may apply to Finance Board for financial support. Throughout the year, Finance Board conducts workshops to help organizations understand the policies and procedures for receiving funding from the Student Activities Fund. Organizations may apply and receive funding according to Finance Board Guidelines.
Officers
Officers and executive board members of organizations must be regularly enrolled full-time students in good academic standing. General membership is open to all full-time and part-time students.
Disciplinary Procedures
The university expects student organization members to accept both personal and group responsibility for meeting recognized standards of good conduct. Organizations are expected to conduct their business in an honest ethical fashion and to cooperate with university officials as requested. Officers must accept responsibility for control of organization events and ensure proper behavior of students and guests in attendance. Organizations will be held responsible for damages to university property and/or equipment resulting from their use. Organizations are expected to follow all university and SGA/Finance Board rules and policies as well as all applicable laws of city, state and federal governments.
Anyone may initiate a complaint against a student organization. Additionally, disciplinary actions may be taken against organizations for violations, as stated above, or for organizations that no longer are fulfilling the purpose on which their recognition was based. Some simple infractions may be processed by the Office of Student Life. If the organization wishes to appeal such an action or if the infraction is more serious, a judicial panel will be formed by the Office of Student Life to conduct a hearing. The panel will consist of students and faculty/staff who are not members or advisors of the groups involved in the infraction and will be advised by the Director of Student Life or a designee of that office. The panel will determine the level of organizational responsibility for the violation and decide on appropriate sanctions if it is determined that the organization is responsible. Sanctions for infractions may include, but are not limited to, fines, restitution or revocation of organizational recognition. Decisions rendered by a student organization judicial panel may be appealed to the Dean of Students.
The university reserves the right to hold both individuals and organizations responsible for their actions. A student may be held individually responsible while, concurrently or consecutively, an organization may be held responsible for the same violation. The two processes are separate.
Hazing
Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off university premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Hazing and/or physical mistreatment of any individual is forbidden; anyone involved in such action is subject to university discipline. All members and prospective members of an organization must be treated in a manner consistent with the educational and ethical objectives of the university. Organizations found guilty of participating in hazing may have their recognition revoked. Any questions regarding activities that may constitute hazing should be directed to the Office of Student Life. All IIT students, faculty, and staff have a responsibility to immediately report any questionable activities to the Office of Student Life and/or the Department of Public Safety.
Indebtedness to the University
Student organizations may have recognition revoked for failure to pay debts to the university. Organizations are responsible to reimburse the university for any negative balances in organization accounts held by the university.
Organization Property
All property, equipment and supplies purchased by university and organizational funds shall be defined as university property in the care of the organization and organization leaders. Organization leaders and members are responsible for the proper care and appropriate use of such property. If an organization becomes inactive for any reason, the property must be returned and surrendered to the university or Student Activities Fund.