University of Colorado Denver

What is the purpose of your organization? How are you going to purpose this to invite new members?

Ex: The purpose of MEISA is to further the education of music industry students at CU Denver through bringing in industry professionals to guest lecture, and mentor the students. We also provide real world experience through concert promoting, volunteering opportunities, and conference attendance. Our main goal is to help bridge the gap between the academic world and the professional world through a series of networking events centered around the music industry.

We encourage that you have at least five CU Denver students interested in heading up the organization so that you can easily recruit more members when you start the recognition process.

Look for an Advisor in a department that is most relevant to your student organization, if not choose an Advisor that has interest in your organization. All CU Denver student organizations are required to have at least one (1) faculty/staff advisor. An advisor is defined as a full-time CU Denver employee: faculty, staff or administrator. Advisors play a key role in development of an organization and its individual members. The organization must include all relevant contact information for the advisor in the student organization application (i.e. name, title, department, email, and phone). Advisors are required to sign off on the Constitution and By-Laws showing acknowledgement of their decision to advise and an understanding of the associated responsibilities.

Affiliated Student Organizations are permitted to use the university’s name, trademark, IRS tax-exemption or governmental status, following established university policies. The Office of Student Life recognizes affiliated organizations at the Downtown Campus. Recognized organizations have a constitution or bylaws and a student organization advisor, who accepts responsibility for the organization’s compliance with state, university and CU Denver rules and regulations. At Downtown Campus, affiliated student organizations also have affiliation agreements (automatically signed with online application) approved by the Office of Student Life. They also must comply with Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) campus rules and regulations. Affiliated student organizations have access to the university’s purchasing, travel office, payroll and personnel system. Affiliated student organizations must manage their funds through the university accounting system and may not establish separate checking accounts at any outside banking institutions or credit unions. Affiliated student organizations may receive funding from student fees (even if they are associated with national chapters).

Associated Student Organizations are local chapters of national organizations that have a presence on campus within the schools and colleges and want to maintain off campus bank accounts using their national organizations’ or chapters’ EIN numbers. The schools and colleges are responsible for monitoring the activities of the associated student organizations and for ensuring compliance with CU Denver and AHEC policies related to conducting activities on campus. Associated student organizations may not receive funding from student fees. Associated student organizations are allowed to use meeting rooms in AHEC and University-owned buildings (some charges may apply). Associated student organizations do not have access to the university’s purchasing, travel office, payroll and personnel system. Any funds collected by associated student organizations may not be deposited into a university account. Associated student organizations may not use the university’s name, IRS tax-exemption or governmental status. Associated student organizations will not be defended by the university from liability for their debts, violations of law and/or contractual obligations. In order to use AHEC facilities, the advisors or their designee from the Schools or Colleges, must submit in writing, to the Office of Student Life, the names and contact details of the associated student organization’s president, vice president and advisor. Associated student organizations will not be able to use AHEC facilities without this written communiqué.

Independent Student Organizations are any student organizations that are neither Affiliated nor Associated. They are fully responsible for their own activities. Independent student organizations must comply with university policies and procedures in scheduling and conducting activities on campus but may not use University owned and AHEC facilities. Independent student organizations may not associate themselves to the university in any manner. Independent student organizations will not be defended by the university from liability for their debts, violations of law and or contractual obligations. These groups do not have access to the university’s purchasing, travel office, payroll and personnel system. Any funds collected by an independent student organization may not be deposited to a university account. Independent student organizations may not use the university’s name, IRS tax-exemption or governmental status. Usage of university facilities is subject to a rental charge see CU Denver Fiscal Policy 2-4 “Use of Facilities and Equipment by Outside Parties or for Private Gain” and AHEC policy “Auraria Campus event services policies and procedures”.

With the members of your organization create a constitution and by-laws that determines the purpose, structure and the requirements to become a member of your organization. All student organizations are required to develop a constitution and by-laws prior to receiving recognition. It is required that an electronic copy of the constitution and By-laws be attached with your online recognition application. Click here for a Sample Model Constitution.