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RSO Certification
The certification process allows each student organization to maintain "Recognized" status with the Office of Student Activities and Organizations. Organizations must certify each academic year by completing the certification process outlined below. This process acknowledges the RSO's practice of appropriate membership and officer selection guidelines. RSO's further acknowledge the purpose and activities of the organization are in compliance with the rules and regulations of Northwestern State University, the national organization (if applicable) as well as local, state, and federal laws and statutes.
It is hereby acknowledged that the policies and practices of the organization pertaining to membership do not discriminate based on gender*, race, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, or age. *Exclusion based on gender is applicable only to Greek-lettered organizations based on the Title IX Education Amendment of 1972, which allows social fraternities and sororities at an institution of higher education the ability to limit membership to members of one sex. All members of the organization must be registered students at Northwestern State University. Organizations failing to certify by September 15th will have their recognition and all associated privileges withdrawn until such time as certification is completed.Certification Process (Steps 1-7)
1. ONLINE REGISTRATION: Complete the online registration by September 15th. You must include the following: RSO name, address, & email; Officer's & Advisor names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Changes in advisor or membership for the spring semester must be updated online. CLICK HERE TO UPDATE RSO INFORMATION. Don't have access? Click the "Request Access" tab and fill in the requested information. Your RSO user ID and password will be emailed to you.
2. GAVEL CLUB: Attend the first Gavel Club meeting of the semester on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 8 p.m. in the Ballroom. (An organization must attend 3 of the 4 Gavel Club meetings to stay in good standing. All RSO's should attend the first Gavel Club since certification will be discussed in it's entirety)
3. MEMBERSHIP ROSTER: DUE TO DIFFICULTIES ARISING FROM THE COLLECTION OF MEMBER ROSTERS, THIS STEP IN THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY REMOVED. HOWEVER, PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FUTURE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING RSO MEMBER ROSTERS.
4. CONSTITUTION/BYLAWS: Submit an electronic copy of the organization's constitution and bylaws via email studentactivities@nsula.edu. Changes to the organizations' constitution & bylaws must be submitted to the Committee on Organizations (through the Dept. of Student Activities) for approval. Committee on Organization meeting times will be supplied upon submission of revised or amended constitutions & by-laws.
5. COMPLIANCE FORM: Submit a copy of the Hazing & Alcohol Policy Compliance Form signed by the President and Officers of the RSO to the Dept. of Student Activities in Room 214 of the Student Union. The president of the organization must also complete an online alcohol awareness class (with a minimum passing score of 80%) at www.MyStudentBody.com. CLICK HERE TO VIEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALCOHOL AWARENESS ASSESSMENT.
6. REPORTING FORM: Submit an End of the Year Report detailing the accomplishments of the RSO no later than April 15th. Failure to submit an End of the Year Report will result in the withdrawal of recognition status and all associated privileges until such time as a report is submitted.
7. EMS REQUEST FORM: RSO's wishing to reserve rooms, facilities, or equipment on NSU's campus must do so using the Virtual EMS (Event Management Software). Each RSO must designate one person to serve as their EMS User who must attend a mandatory EMS training session. After attending the training session, the RSO EMS User must complete the RSO EMS User Request Form and submit it to the Department of Student Activities in Room 214 of the Student Union.
An organization which fails to certify consecutively for 2 years must submit a new prospective student organization packet.