RECOGNITION/ REGISTRATION AND CONTINUATION AS A STUDENT ORGANIZATION
The Office of Student Retention/Activities (OSRA) has been developed for purposes that include providing opportunities for student involvement and participation through student organizations, student activities and campus programming. Students are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of campus life.
College-recognized organizations are afforded the following privileges: to use campus facilities, to set up an on-campus account, request funds from SGA, to access a mailbox in the Student Retention/Activities Office, to participate in the Student Government Association, to have the opportunity to participate in College activities and the ability to use Labette Community College as part of the organization name. College recognition in no way implies that LCC condones or supports any activities of an organization. For an organization to be recognized on campus the following procedures must be followed:
Prior to making application to receive College recognition, the group should meet the following criteria:
1. Organizations must have at least one faculty or staff advisor who is a current member of the faculty or professional staff at LCC.
2. Members must be currently enrolled students (full-time or part-time) in good standing with the College.
3. Organizations should maintain a membership of at least seven (7) qualified individuals.
4. Each officer of an organization is to have a cumulative GPA of 2.00, and not be on any sort of academic or disciplinary probation, nor have any type of enrollment hold.
5. Organizations are to operate under a constitution approved by the College, of which a current copy must be kept on file in the OSRA.
6. The organization's stated purpose must not be subversive to the United States of America, the State of Kansas, or LCC.
7. The organization must comply with the nondiscrimination policy set forth by Title IX.
After the group has been formed and meets the above criteria, the group should adhere to the following steps to achieve College recognition:
1. At least one executive officer and the advisor meet with the Office of Student Retention/Activities (OSRA) to review the constitution and any bylaws of the group.
2. After reviews and recommendations, the Office of Student Retention & Activities (OSRA) refers the constitution to SGA.
3. SGA reviews the constitution and bylaws and meets with the group representative and the advisor.
4. After this meeting, SGA decides whether to recommend the organization for recognition or to send recommendations back to the group for improvements. If SGA sends the constitution back to the group, the organization may then repeat the process.
5. The recommendation of SGA is forwarded to the Vice President of Student Affairs for final approval.
6. When a new organization receives recognition from the VPSA, it is placed on a year probationary period. During this period the organization, the officers, or responsible leaders must meet with the OSRA at least twice per semester, not including the Student Organization Orientation Meetings (SOOM) in the fall.
Suspension of Recognition
Reasons for suspension:
1. Failing to meet any one of the criteria required for recognition.
2. Groups who violate the Code of Student Conduct or College policy.
3. Failure to complete all steps for re-registration for one academic year. (Organization is placed on probation if it fails to reregister for a semester. The organization must take appropriate steps necessary to be placed back in good standing by the OSRA prior to the end of the second semester.)
4. Failure to show a reasonable amount of activity in promoting the ends and purposes specified in the organization's constitution; e.g., evidenced by meetings and other activities. All recognized organizations are required to submit written activity report s upon request.
5. An organization may voluntarily relinquish its recognition at any time by delivering to the OSRA a written notice signed by the remaining officers and advisor, stating that they are disbanding and why.
6. Adequate representation at the annual Student Organization Orientation Meetings.
If suspended, the organization immediately loses its privileges of being a College organization. At this point all organizational funds will be moved under the OSRA account and may be expended (and are not subject to reimbursement). A group may reapply for recognition by following the recognition process required of any student organization. If an organization is suspended by the OSRA, the members may appeal to VPSA.
Re-registration for Organizations Already Recognized by the College
After an organization has gone through the recognition process, they must reregister with the OSRA at the beginning of each fall semester.
Steps for Re-registration:
1. Complete an organization registration form and return it back to the Office of Student Retention and Activities.
2. Deadline for filing registration forms is one month from the first day of classes. Failure to meet this deadline is cause for probation; failure to comply within two semesters is cause for suspension. Either status may include revocation of part or all of organizational funds.
3. A current membership roster must be on file in the OSRA each fall.
4. A current list of officer’s names, addresses and phone numbers must be on file in the OSRA.
Any changes of officers or advisor should be reported in written form to the OSRA within 10 days of the change(s). The same is true of all constitutional changes, as they are subject to approval by SGA.
Items Considered by SGA in the Recommendation Process
SGA will review the constitution of the petitioning organization and talk to the organization's representative and advisor. The items SGA will base its recommendation on include the following
§ The structure and content of the constitution and bylaws.
§ Purpose of the group, as to its perceived benefit, effect and need to the College community.
§ How well the group meets the criteria of recognition.
§ Whether or not the organization's purpose is already being adequately accomplished by another campus entity.