Student Organization Policies

The processes outlined for student organization misconduct is included with the Code of Conduct. All students, student groups and student organizations are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct and all national, state, local and University policies. Violations of the Code of Conduct will be considered for adjudication by the Office of Student Conduct. Questions may be directed to the Office of Student Conduct.

The Student Organization Handbook provides resources and processes regarding recognized student organizations and groups on campus. For convenience, an abbreviated set of student organization recognition and membership policies are listed here.

Student Involvement provides support and resources for all University recognized student organizations. The Student Organization Handbook provides tools and resources regarding many University policies and support for student organizations. Some groups or organizations may have additional administrative coordination or oversight. These groups include: 

• Fraternities and Sororities
• Club Sports
• Religious and spiritual groups
• Media groups

Core Principles for Recognized Student Organizations

These Core Principles were developed in partnership with the Student Life Committee (Standing Committee of the Faculty Handbook as stated in Article VIII, Section 18). It is expected that all recognized organizations adhere to these principles.

1. Student organizations must be formed and administered by Elon students. Student leadership and the opportunity for student organizations to be self-governing within the policies and expectations of the university are key aspects of the learning and leadership experience. Elon recognizes and supports student organizations as part of its educational mission. Faculty and staff (and in some cases approved, non-Elon personnel) are welcomed and expected to serve as advisors, but may not vote or lead the club or organization.
2. Student organizations must comply fully with the university’s non-discrimination policy: “The university does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran’s status in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs.” Faculty Handbook and Student Handbook
3. Student organizations must welcome any Elon student in good academic and social standing as members. The rationale is, again, that student organizations are part of the educational enterprise of the university so that any full-time student, who is interested in learning about and participating in a student organization, must be welcomed. There are a few exceptions to all members participating in all activities. Student organizations such as a cappella groups, dance groups, club sports, etc. may hold auditions or tryouts; honor societies may set GPA requirements; and some organizations may set selection criteria, such as the social and business fraternities and sororities. In addition, some may develop and use criteria to select a smaller set of the members to represent them on certain occasions, but to the greatest extent feasible, the full membership should be included in all activities. For example, competitive groups, such as club sports, may develop and use criteria for selecting travel teams to participate in competitions at other schools if funds are insufficient or it is otherwise not feasible for the entire team to travel. All of these exceptions must be specified in the student organizations by-laws which must be approved by the Student Life Committee.
4. The leadership selection of student organizations must be entirely student led and administered following the democratic process specified in their by-laws. The Student Life Committee believes that, as part of the educational process, student organizations should engage in respectful dialogue over differences in opinions and views and allow its members to elect the individuals they deem best for leadership positions.
5. Accountability for members and officers of student organizations must be based on clearly established behavioral criteria. Sanctions against, or dismissal of members/officers, must be based on clearly established, written criteria in student organization by-laws, or manuals approved by the full membership (according to procedures specified in the by-laws). Reasons for holding a student accountable must be based on behaviors inconsistent with clearly defined criteria and not subjective questions of identity, belief, or fit. In addition, any organization conduct or standards process must adhere to basic due process principles, including: written notice to the student that states the incorrect behavior for which the student is being charged; the opportunity for the student to prepare for, and respond to the charges; and the opportunity for the student to face the person(s) charging the student. Organization members are also expected to uphold all university policies and may be held accountable based on the behavior by the appropriate department on campus.

Community Standards

In order to promote a relationship between recognized student organizations and the University that is based on trust, collaboration, cooperation and the resulting mutual benefits to the University and the campus community, Student Involvement has developed criteria for the recognition of these organizations.

1. Student organizations enhance participation in the cultural, academic, social, service, philanthropic and spiritual life of Elon. The individual and group performance of members of our organizations should always uphold the values stated in the organization’s constitutions and/or by-laws. By virtue of the University’s recognition of each organization’s stated principles and ideals, the University expects that the goals of student organizations will be implemented in a manner that is compatible with the goals and mission of the Elon community.
2. It is the practice of Elon to recognize only student organizations that have been developed through the University student organization process as outlined by Student Involvement and the Student Life Committee. Accordingly, the University generally will not recognize or sanction events, activities, or circumstances where students are involved via affiliation with other organizations or groups not recognized at Elon.
3. As stated in Elon’s goals, an important objective of the Elon experience, both in and outside of the classroom, is to educate and develop mature, responsible members of the community. Accordingly, it is important that each recognized organization’s values and founding principles be congruent with these goals. Recognized organizations are permitted certain privileges and, correspondingly, must undertake certain responsibilities within this community. There is a mutual accountability between the organization and the University.
4. The Elon Student Code of Conduct and all other Elon policies supersede and preempt any and all inconsistent or contrary regulations, policies and/or decisions made by registered student organizations and/or their inter/national organizations and affiliates.
5. Student organization leaders are expected to be knowledgeable of and adhere to any policies/practices as outlined by the University and any academic/administrative department or national organization with which the organization is affiliated.

Forming a New Student Organization

Recognized student organizations provide opportunities for learning, student engagement, leadership development, and fostering of shared interests. These organizations are student-initiated and student-run. In order to begin the reviewing process, potential new student organizations must meet the following criteria:

• The mission of the student organization must reflect the mission and values of the University.
• The services and programs offered by the organization must directly relate to the University and organization missions.
• The mission, services, and activities of the organization should be different from any other recognized student organization.
• Proposed organizations that are formed for commercial purposes or primarily for the financial benefit of an external corporation, organization, or individual student will not be recognized.
• Sororities and fraternities must be affiliated with a national organization; as part of the formation process they may be affiliated with one of Elon’s existing governing councils (Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, or Panhellenic Association) and have completed the appropriate expansion process led by staff in Student Involvement.
• A full-time faculty or staff member of the University must be in agreement to serve as the organization’s advisor.

Student Involvement assists in establishing new organizations. Details about the process for forming a new student organization can be found in the Student Organization Handbook.

Levels of Student Organization Recognition

There are different levels of student organization recognition during the development process and for existing organizations. Provisional and Full/Active Statuses are granted during the development of new organizations. Once an organization is developed, it may be deemed necessary by Student Involvement, the Student Life Committee, or SGA to move the organization to Probationary or Inactive Status. Certain benefits and privileges are awarded of student organizations in good standing at each of the levels of recognition. Furthermore, organizations with national affiliation may be subject to additional guidelines and recognition statuses per their respective governing organization. Details about the levels of student organization recognition can be found in the Student Organization Handbook.

Membership and Officer Eligibility

All full-time undergraduate students are eligible for membership in any recognized student organization, in accordance with the standards – academic or otherwise – established by each organization. Student organizations are expected to comply with the university nondiscrimination statement in membership and officer selection, except for the limited exceptions for club sport, fine arts, and fraternity/sorority organizations, as described in the Core Principles for Recognized Student Organizations.

Any part-time undergraduate student or graduate who does not pay the Student Activity Fee may be an associate member of a recognized student organization, but may not hold office or vote.

Faculty and staff may attend student organization activities, but may not be members of recognized student organizations, and thus may not vote, hold office, or participate in decision-making of the student organization. Faculty and staff advisors for organizations are invited to attend meetings and advise members and officers in their decision-making and deliberation processes.

The officers of all recognized student organizations may not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of their election or appointment and throughout their term of office.

The authority and responsibility for ensuring that officers are eligible to hold office shall reside with the officers and advisor of the organization. In instances of dispute, the decision-making authority and responsibility rests with Student Involvement. Please contact Student Involvement for information about how to ensure officer eligibility.

Elon University has a deferred joining policy for students interested in social values-based fraternities or sororities. To be eligible to participate in recruitment/intake activities, students must:

• Be enrolled as a full-time student
• Have earned at least 12 credits at Elon University or transferred to Elon with a minimum of 12 credit hours from another college or university
• Not be on academic or disciplinary probation
• Meet the minimum GPA requirements of the respective governing council and organization

For details about the deferred joining policy, contact Student Involvement.