Adopted October 10, 1991

Recognized student organizations exist at The New School in order to enhance and contribute to the educational, recreational and cultural experience offered to New School students.

Recognition by the university permits the organization to use designated student meeting rooms, to submit an application for any funding that may be available from the student affairs office of the division in which the organization is based and it allows the organization to avail itself of the guidance provided by its division's Office of Student Affairs or Student Life in helping organizations plan productive meetings, activities and learning experiences. An organization is based in the division from which it draws the largest percentage of its members.

The Office of Student Affairs or Student Life within the division in which the organization is based is responsible for receiving the applications and for recognizing and registering student organizations, provided the organization meets the following criteria and any other specific divisional criteria:

1. The purpose and goals of the student organization benefit the students of The New School.
2. All members of student organizations must be affiliated with the university by being either matriculated New School certificate or degree program students or by being New School staff, faculty, alumni or administration. In order to be recognized as a student organization, its membership must be composed of no more than twenty-five percent staff, faculty, alumni or administration.
3. No student organization activity shall be carried out for the pecuniary benefit of its individual members.
4. Student organizations seeking recognition should present to the Office of Student Affairs of their division a written application or statement which includes the organization's name, a description of its goals, purposes and activities as well as the names of the students who will serve as its contact persons and the name of its faculty or staff advisor.
5. Each student organization must have a faculty or staff advisor who serves as a consultant to the group and acts as liaison between the university and the group. The advisor shall be required to review and sign any requests made by the group for funds. Funds may only be used for approved activities that do not conflict with the guidelines and policies of the university and the division.
6. Student organizations must be in compliance with all policies and rules of The New School, including, specifically, but not limited to, The New School's Policy on Free Exchange of Ideas, and Policies on Non-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment. This means that no person may be denied membership on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status or age. Violations of university policy, rules, or federal or state law can result in immediate revocation of the organization's recognized status.
7. Recognition of a student organization does not constitute approval or endorsement by The New School of the organization's purposes, objectives or activities. Therefore, the use of the name of the university or its divisions in the student organization's promotional material should read: at The New School or division, not of The New School or division.
8. Renewals of registration must be filed annually in accordance with the procedures established by the division in which the organization is based.
   
   This policy is not intended to prohibit students from organizing and participating in informal, unrecognized groups.