Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I start a new club?
2. How do I register my club? Do I have to register every year?
3. What is cooperative funding?
4. What are the service requirements for clubs/organizations at UST?
5. Can clubs reserve space on campus?

How do I start a new club?

1. As the student population changes new interests emerge resulting in new clubs/organizations. Below you will find the steps for becoming recognized as an official student organization of the University of St. Thomas.

   1. Secure a minimum of ten (10) organization members.

   2. Secure a full-time UST faculty or staff person to serve as organization advisor. The Department of Campus Life can assist in securing an advisor if necessary.

   3. Draft a constitution, using the "Guidelines for Constitutional Drafting" (see pages 7-8). The constitution must include a mission statement describing the club’s purpose and how it will contribute to the mission of UST.

   4. Hold a meeting to elect officers and ratify your constitution. NOTE: Only registered organizations can reserve meeting rooms. The use of a room for this initial meeting may be approved by contacting The Department of Campus Life.

   5. Upon recommendation for approval of the Student Organizations Committee, your organization’s application will be forwarded to the All College Council for approval at the next scheduled meeting. A representative of the club should be present to answer questions.

   6. The club president and advisor will receive written notification upon the completion of this process.

   7. Once approved, the club must register with DCL on-line at
   http://www.stthomas.edu/clubs/registration.

   8. The registration process is complete once DCL receives confirmation from the faculty/staff member advisor.

   9. Clubs interested in being classified as a Club Sport, please read the Club Sport Appendix A.

How do I register my club? Do I have to register every year? 

1. 1. The annual registration process occurs in the spring. Clubs are required to register on-line with DCL.

   2. Failure to comply with the registration process results in the suspension of the organization and loss of the privilege to operate as a UST organization. The group remains suspended until the registration process is completed.

   3. All clubs are expected to maintain a membership of at least ten members and keep the on-line member roster updated. Student organizations must notify DCL in writing, whenever there are changes of officers or advisors during the academic year.

   4. If there is a one-year lapse in registration, an organization must re-apply for recognition according to the procedures for newly formed groups.

What is Cooperative Funding?

1. STAR encourages other clubs and organizations of the St. Thomas community to come to STAR as a programming resource. STAR has allotted at least 5% of each semester’s budget (approximately $9,000.00) for cooperative programming with other clubs and organizations. Funds shall be distributed according to the order of request; it is beneficial to begin programming early in the semester. An application is attached to this sheet. Please note that the lectures committee has a separate application for cooperative programming because it is allocated separate funds.

What are the service requirement for clubs/organizations at UST?

1. The University of St. Thomas has a strong commitment to promoting the values of social action and civic responsibility within its community. Community service is not only considered an act of compassion for others but ultimately as the recognition of the common bond of humanity. In support of this university value, the following revised guidelines are intended to aid student clubs/organizations in selecting their service projects:

   • Each club/organization will serve 1.5 hours per member of the organization for each semester to be considered in good standing and eligible for general ACC club funding, ACC conference and Competition funds, Lectures, Community Coop funds, STAR Coop funds and Club Sports funds (this requirement replaces the prior 50% of an organization’s membership or at least 5 members participation’s requirement).*

   • Required hours of service will be determined by the number of members registered by a club / organization with the Campus Life Department.

   • Any project that includes the collection of money, clothing, etc. as the service project will need to be pre-approved by Campus Life (approval should be a minimum of one week prior to beginning of project.)

   • Projects that span 2 semesters need to meet required hours during both semesters and need to be pre-approved by Campus Life.

   *Service hours reported by individual members may not count toward multiple clubs / organizations service project requirements unless those two clubs / organizations are working at the same project. For example, student A belongs to the Blue Club and the Red Club. Student A’s service hours come from working on the River Clean-up can only count for the club that participated in the River Clean-up. Thus, if only the Red Club did the River Clean-up, student A’s hours can only count toward the Red Club. However, if the Red Club and the Blue Club participated in the River Clean-up student A’s hours can count toward both club’s service requirements. 

Can clubs reserve space on campus?

1. All registered student organizations have the right to use University facilities. All facilities, (exceptions include Rogge Leyden, Dining Facilities, and Hormel rooms) both inside and outdoor spaces, must be reserved through the Facilities Office (103 MHC, 962-6670). In the event the space will be used to conduct a sale or the Department of Campus Life must approve other solicitation or outdoor event a Sales and Solicitation Form at least one week in advance of the sale or event.

   Student organizations must reserve facilities at least 72 hours in advance of the date of the event. Failure to reserve space in a timely manner may result in difficulties obtaining food, audio/visual equipment and specific room set-ups.