Newly Recognized Groups and Applying for Recognition
Applying to become a Recognized Student Group is an exciting step! Groups that serve the undergraduate population and hope to be advised by Undergraduate Student Life (USL) can apply to be recognized by the following student-led Governing Boards:
Groups that wish to be newly recognized may apply each Spring semester via the USL New Group Recognition webform. Groups that meet USL and University requirements for recognition will be moved forward for consideration by the appropriate Governing Board. Governing Boards advised by USL will determine which groups they want to recognize. Pending final USL approval, these groups will be able to commence official operations in the following Fall semester.
Please direct any questions related to New Group Recognition to engagement@columbia.edu.
2024 New Group Onboarding Timeline
Newly-recognized groups will be able to commence official operations in Fall 2024.
Sunday, May 5th: Final New Group Recognition decisions were shared with applicants.
Summer 2024: Newly-recognized groups will work with Undergraduate Student Life to finalize the group's name, e-mail alias(es), etc.
September 2024: Newly-recognized groups will gain official recognition status, a LionLink account for purchase requests, an Event Management System (EMS) account for space reservations, and all other privileges reserved for recognized groups (pending completion of Club ReFuel requirements).
2025 New Group Recognition Timeline
The next opportunity to apply for recognition will open in Spring 2025.
Requirements of Recognition for new groups include:
Recommendation for recognition by an Undergraduate Student Life-advised Governing Board (ABC, SGB, IGC), as well as meeting all of that Governing Board’s standard requirements for New Group Recognition.
A mission statement for the group which is distinct from any current recognized student group, and which does not overlap with existing recognized student groups.
A Student Group Constitution submitted to, and ratified by, the Governing Board and USL in compliance with all University and USL policies.
An executive board consisting of at least ¾ undergraduate students (at CC, SEAS, BC, or GS), and a group makeup and mission statement that primarily serves the undergraduate population of Columbia.
If your group does not meet these requirements, you may be better suited for another governing board. For groups primarily/exclusively made up of Barnard students, please apply to GBB. If your group serves the graduate community or both the undergraduate and graduate communities, please apply to IGB.
More Information
Recognition - RSG Benefits and Maintaining Good Standing
FOR ALL GROUPS:
Recognition entitles your group to:
Use of “Columbia”, etc. in your student group's name, and use of approved Columbia imagery on merchandise purchased for your group;
The ability to book space on campus and secure funding through allocation, Travel Funds, and other Funding Opportunities provided to recognized student groups;
Nonprofit (501c3) tax exempt status for purchases;
An @columbia email alias (Google Group) for your group;
Assignment to a USL Adviser who will support your group through all University processes and policies.
FOR CURRENT GROUPS:
Requirements to maintain Recognition for existing RSGs include:
Successful completion of Club ReFuel at least once per year (i.e. every other semester).
Registering your student group at the start of each Fall semester via the Student Organization Survey (SOS), regardless of what semester Club ReFuel is completed.
Maintaining at least 2 active board member UNI emails on your group’s designated @columbia.edu email alias
UNI emails must be added/changed by the RSG’s e-board members via Grouper when boards transition, and are not the responsibility of the group’s adviser or administration. Groups will be responsible for any missed communication if they fail to update their @columbia email’s board.
Compliance with Columbia’s policies including (but not limited to) policies around spending, events, and travel.
Maintained Recognition in good standing with your governing board (ABC, SGB, IGC).
Derecognition And Policies for Unrecognized Groups
After two (2) consecutive semesters of noncompliance with the requirements of recognition, groups will be automatically derecognized by USL. Groups may also be derecognized through the Student Group Adjudication Board (SGAB) process.
Groups who are flagged for derecognition due to non-completion of Club ReFuel will receive an email notifying them of the requirements to return to good standing. Any groups who fail to complete the requirements by the following semester will be derecognized. Derecognition emails will come from USL with governing board support 2 weeks after Club ReFuel closes.
If a group is derecognized (or not recognized, including groups seeking recognition) by Columbia, they may not:
Utilize the Columbia name, including (but not limited to) in advertising, group name, email/gmail inboxes, and merchandise; this includes abbreviations such as “CU,” “CC,” “SEAS,” “Barnumbia,” etc.
Book space on Columbia’s campus, nor have another group book space on their behalf, unless co-hosting an event with equal participation from both groups
Participate in Activities Day
[For derecognized groups] Spend any funding collected while as a part of the group via fundraisers, ticket sales, etc. Any revenue remaining in the group’s account at the time of derecognition will be held onto for 2 semesters
Applying for Re-Recognition
A group previously recognized by Columbia that has been derecognized must re-apply for recognition through our website; then, they must go through their Governing Board’s individual re-recognition processes, which may differ from NGR processes. Please contact your Governing Board for more information.