Become a Registered Student Organization

Registration for new registered student organizations is closed August 1st through October 1st.

Interest groups can be formed at anytime!  Please see the resources below to form an interest group and prepare for open registration. Email rso@mtu.edu with questions regarding the new RSO process.

Benefits of RSO Status
 Benefits of RSO status

New student organization registrations are accepted by Student Leadership & Involvement beginning in mid October of the academic year, and status is valid from the date of approval for one year, or until the registration deadline of the following fall semester.  Students interested in starting a new student organization are able to form an interest group at any time - this is a great way to begin the process of creating a new RSO.

Established student organizations MUST re-register each year in the fall semester. More on re-registration can be found here.

How to Create a New Student Organization

  1. Check the list of existing student organizations on Involvement Link to verify that there is not an organization already dedicated to your interests. 

    1. If there is not, this begins the process of starting an interest group and becoming a new student organization!

  2. Find at least three people to fill the three required officer positions: President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
    1. Officers must maintain a minimum of a 2.25 GPA, both cumulative and most recent semester.

  3. The minimum requirement to establish a student org has been reduced to six members including three officers- a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The three positions must be filled by different members.
    1. Interest groups are welcome to recruit and participate in events as they work on becoming an org.
  4. Find a "Regular" employee of the university willing to be the organization’s advisor.  *An employee is considered “Regular” if they are a Long-Term Commitment ≥ 9 Months and ≥ 75% FTE employee. Most PHD students do not have this status.   
  5. Select a organization name. RSO names must be in good taste and reflect the RSO's purpose.

  6. Decide if your organization will be an Open or Closed organization. Be aware that only Open organizations are eligible to apply for an annual budget from the Student Activity Fee Fund. Learn more about Open and Closed organizations.
  7. Complete the Student Organization Registration Form.

  8. Draft a constitution. Learn more about creating a constitution.

  9. Consider if you will need to draft a risk management plan and waiver. Learn more about creating a risk management plan.
  10. Schedule an appointment with the RSO Coordinator in Student Leadership and Involvement to review completed paperwork by emailing rso@mtu.edu.

  11. You will receive notification of official registration via email.