Recognition for Student Organizations

Progress Report
To find out where your organization is in the recognition process, click here!

Student organizations play a vital role in the student involvement opportunities available on campus. Student Programs and Involvement provides student organizations the opportunity to register for recognition with the University and receive benefits such as access to group management technology via OrgCentral, eligibility to request funding through Student Governing Association, leadership development resources and support, and more.

Student organizations must register for recognition on an annual basis. Registration is generally open April through February. Organizations may choose to register at any time during this period, however, returning organizations are encouraged to complete registration for the next academic year by the priority deadline to remain in active status with the University.

Student Organization Recognition Policy, K-State PPM 8540

  • Renewing your Organization's Registration

    1. A group officer must complete the re-registration form in OrgCentral

    • To access and complete the re-registration form, you must currently be listed as an Officer of the group you are wanting to renew. The form can be accessed in two ways:
      • Click on your group's name in OrgCentral and at the top of the Dashboard you will see instructions for re-registering your group.
      • Visit the All Groups page and search for your organization. You will see a "Group Re-Registration" button next to your group's name.

    2. Advisors must accept their assigned officer position and complete the assigned checklist

    • Anyone assigned as an Officer on the registration form will receive an email asking them to approve or deny their position assignment. Advisors are required to approve their position assignments for recognition approval. The position acceptance email will come from "CampusGroups" and the subject line will read "Membership approval..."
    • The Advisor will be assigned a training checklist of actions that must be completed for the organization to receive recognition. Advisors will receive an email from a SPI staff member when the Advisor checklist has been assigned.
      • This is a manual process facilitated by the SPI staff, and may take 1-2 business days to receive.
    • Once the checklist has been assigned to the Advisor, they may access the "RSO Advisor Checklist 2024 -2025" by logging into OrgCentral and selecting the "My Activity" button on the left navigation menu and then the "My Checklists" button that will appear in the list below.

    3. Presidents must complete the assigned checklist

    • Whomever is listed as the President on the submitted registration form will be assigned a checklist of actions to complete for recognition approval, including:
      • Code of Conduct Training
      • Anti-Discrimination Training
      • Student Org Basics
      • Annual Student Organization Survey
    • Presidents will receive an email from a SPI staff member when the checklist has been assigned. This is a manual process facilitated by the SPI staff, and may take 1-2 business days to receive.
    • Presidents may access the "RSO President Checklist 2024-2025" by logging into OrgCentral and selecting the "My Activity" button on the left navigation menu and then the "My Checklists" button that will appear in the list below.

    4. Sponsoring department heads must approve the registration form

    • This step is only required for Sponsored RSOs.
    • Individuals listed as the Dean, DepartmentHead, or Unit Administrator of a Sponsored RSO's sponsoring unit will receive an email requesting their sponsorship approval. The RSO sponsor will be prompted via email to login to OrgCentral to approve the group's registration form. The email they receive will come from "CampusGroups" and the subject will be "Workflow Approval".

  • Registering a NEW student organization

    Any group who is not currently registered with Student Programs and Involvement should register as a new organization. Returning organizations should complete the renewal process (see above).

    To register a new student organization for recognition, please complete the following steps:

    Complete the registration form in OrgCentral

    • To register a new organization, you will need to complete the registration form for a new Affiliated, Sponsored, or Provisional organization on OrgCentral.
      • The registration form for new organizations can be accessed by logging into OrgCentral and selecting the Groups button on the top menu of the Homepage. Next, select the All Groups button that appears. The links to the new organization registration forms will appear at the top of the All Groups page.

    Additional steps to gain recognition

    • Completing the registration form is the first step of the recognition process. From there, the Advisor listed on the registration form will need to accept their position assignment; the Advisor will be assigned the Advisor Training Checklist to complete; the individual whom you listed as the President of your organization on the registration form will be assigned a President Checklist that they must complete. For Sponsored RSOs, the head administrator of the sponsoring department will need to approve the registration form.

Categories, Statuses, and Classifications

  • Classifications

    Affiliated Affiliated organizations are those that are, in general, interest groups and provide engagement activities that are primarily for their direct membership. These groups are generally capable of functioning with minimal university support, but may receive support from a parent organization, including but not limited to regional/national/international governing organizations. While the university recognizes affiliated organizations and provides them with benefits as stated in this policy, the university also acknowledges that students may choose to form groups of varying interests that may or may not align with the university’s Principles of Community. Affiliated organizations are not a department, unit, or agent of the university, and the university does not accept responsibility or liability for the activities undertaken by affiliated organizations.
    Sponsored Sponsored organizations are those considered congruent with the mission and culture of the university and operate as a part of a university department or unit. These organizations are inherently linked to the university because of their role representing K-State or in presenting events of broad appeal that are considered an integral part of the institution. Sponsored organizations routinely present events for the campus and the broader community, and typically work in a collaborative relationship with a university department or office. The organization’s purpose and effect are to serve a broad segment of the campus community, not just its membership.
    Provisional Provisional organizations are those that do not meet the minimum five (5) members, but still want to be a recognized group. These groups have a slightly different process and are required to submit a recruitment action plan to SPI.

  • Statuses

    Active Organizations which have completed the annual recognition requirements as outlined in Section .040 of the student organization policy in PPM 8540.
    Inactive Organizations which have not completed the annual recognition requirements for the current academic year are in Inactive status. Organizations with this status shall have no benefits. To become active the organization must complete the requirements outlined on the SPI's website.
    Revoked Organizations which have had their recognition status revoked due to non-compliance with university policies or at the request of organization leadership are in revoked status. Organizations with this status shall have no benefits. To become active the organization must complete the annual recognition requirements outlined. When an organization’s recognition is revoked, additional requirements may be established which require completion before recognition may be received again.

  • Categories

    Academic One of the largest categories of registered student organizations, thanks to nearly every academic major having at least one organization. Academic organizations are one of the easiest ways to get involved from day one since you'll likely hear about them from your academic advisor and faculty. Meet others that you'll have as classmates, get to know your faculty, and make connections between what you're learning in class with events/activities outside of class.
    Academic Competition Team Looking for a way to test your knowledge gained in the classroom? Then Academic Competition Teams might just be for you. Practice those skills your learning, work with teammates and faculty, and represent K-State at competitions at all levels. Who knows, you may even be able to add "National Champion" to your resume some day.
    Community Service Just like the category name sounds, these groups are all about giving back to the community around them! What a great way for you to meet other students interested in doing good for others, and spending time helping your local community. You, too, can make a difference just by checking out, and joining, one of these organizations.
    Fraternity/Sorority Looking for an all-in-one involvement opportunity - leadership, service, philanthropy, community, and more? Then perhaps a fraternity or sorority is what you're looking for. These organizations are the social Greek-letter organizations that you are likely familiar with (unlike those honorary groups that utilize the Greek alphabet - it's confusing, we know). Most of the organizations fit within one of the three governing councils - Interfraternity Council (IFC - fraternities), Panhellenic Council (PHC - sororities), and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC - historically black fraternities & sororities); there are a couple additional organizations not represented by these councils, so make sure to check them out as well. Interested in learning more about IFC or PHC organizations? Check out their website at: https://www.k-state.edu/fraternity-sorority/
    General University As a student, you might have some interest in representing your college, your residence hall, and gain more leadership experience. Those organizations in this category typically represent an area on campus - college councils, ambassador programs, community programming, and student governance to name a few. Getting involved in these organizations is a great way to connect with students outside of your classrooms and across the campus!
    Honorary Scholarship, leadership, and service are often the key cornerstones of the honorary organizations on campus. Some of these organizations require members to have a specific GPA, major, or year in school, while others are open to students with specific interests. Explore the many opportunities to meet others who share your passions for scholarship, develop as a leader, and give back to your community through service!
    Multicultural Engage with those from cultures different than your own, or even connect with those students who share your very own culture. The many multicultural student organizations on campus bring perspectives from around the world right to the "Little Apple" and heart of campus. You'll be able to celebrate festivals, learn a new language, expand your knowledge and understanding, explore your own culture, and more!
    Political An important aspect of our democratic society is politics. Take a moment to explore your own ideologies, learn about others, consider how civic engagement is an important component of being a Wildcat. Getting involved in a political organization will help you find ways to engage with others in important conversations.
    Religious Finding a religious community might be important to you, so it's a good thing there are many organizations available to help you do just that. Some are connected to specific places of worship in the Manhattan community, others are more stand-alone campus groups. Make sure to check out all of the options to find the one that fits your interests most.
    Special Interest The second largest category of student organizations, all of those groups that don't fit into one of the other categories falls within this one. There are organizations for different hobbies, activities, interests, communities, and more represented here. The best way to find one that you might be interested in? Take a moment to browse through them all! We're sure you'll find something that will pique your interest.
    Sport Club Have you played a sport for years and want to continue to do so? Interested in taking up a new sport? Want to compete against other campuses? Then sport clubs are perfect for you! Join a team, practice, and compete against other college students to bring home that trophy! With teams representing a number of different sports, you are bound to find one that fits your interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • My group doesn't show up in OrgCentral, how do I renew their registration?

    If your group does not appear on the All Groups page in OrgCentral or via the search, please contact SPI at studentinvolvement@ksu.edu

  • I can't find the Group Re-Registration form

    Only individuals listed as Officers of a group have access to the re-registration form. If you do not see the “Re-Registration button”, then it is likely that you are not currently listed as an Officer of your group.

    Please contact Student Programs and Involvement via email (studentinvolvement@k-state.edu) and provide Your Full Name along with the Full Organization Name of the group you are trying to re-register, as well as a short description of the issue you need help with (i.e. I need access to re-register my student organization). A SPI staff member will activate your access or respond with additional information.

  • How do I know if I'm listed as an Officer of my organization in OrgCentral?

    One easy way to tell if you are a member vs. an officer of a group is to visit your organization’s Group in OrgCentral and pay attention to the information displayed. When Officers visit their Group in OrgCentral, they are taken to The Dashboard, which is an administrative view of your management features. If you are not directly taken to The Dashboard, then you are not listed as an Officer of your group.

  • What if I'm not listed as an Officer but I need to complete the recognition renewal process?

    If you need to complete the re-registration process for your organization, but you are not currently listed as an Officer of you group, please contact Student Programs and Involvement via email (studentinvolvement@k-state.edu) and provide Your Full Name along with the Full Organization Name of the group you are trying to re-register, as well as a short description of the issue you need help with (i.e. I need access to re-register my student organization). A SPI staff member will activate your access or respond with additional information.

  • I tried to assign my Advisor as an Officer but they didn't show up in the auto-populated list of people.

    If your organization advisor is a current K-State faculty/staff member, you may want to check the spelling of their name as all currently employees should have accounts created in the system. If you continue to have issues, email studentinvolvement@ksu.edu and we can check further.

  • I don't know who my RSO sponsor is.

    Your RSO sponsor is the individual that has university authority to assume financial responsibility, risk accountability, and has final authority over the organization. If you are within an academic department, chances are this person is either the department head or a college dean. If your organization is in a department outside of a college, chances are this person is the director of the office your organization works with most closely. If you need additional assistance in identifying this person, your advisor may know, or you can email studentinvolvement@ksu.edu for futher assistance.

  • My RSO sponsor did not receive the email.

    If your RSO sponsor doesn't recall getting an email to approve the organization's registration, email studentinvolvement@ksu.edu to have the email notification re-sent. You might also encourage the RSO sponsor to check their spam & junk folders. The email would come from CampusGroups with the subject line "WORKFLOW APPROVAL..."

  • How can I find the President/Advisor checklist on OrgCentral?

    The checklists will only be assigned to the individuals listed as the President and Advisor of an organization on the re-registration form.

    The checklists are assigned to individuals manually by a SPI staff member after a group’s initial registration or re-registration form has been submitted. This may take 1-2 business days to appear in OrgCentral. The president and advisor will receive an email from a SPI staff member when the checklist assignment has been made.

  • What are the requirements to be an advisor?

    An advisor is a member of the university faculty or staff, on at least 0.5 FTE, who acts as the primary liaison between the university and the recognized student organization. Learn more here.

  • How can I find an advisor for my organization?

    Sponsored RSOs will have an advisor assigned to the organization by their sponsoring department.

    Affiliated RSOs are responsible for seeking out a University faculty/staff member to serve as an Advisor. A great place to start is within your own personal network. Ask your friends, members, and alumni to help out. Tell your professors, mentors, and academic advisors about your organization and ask them to share your information with anyone they know who might be interested. When chatting with a potential new Advisor, discuss your expectations of the Advisor, such as how often you’d like them to attend meetings and events, and what areas you need their support in.

  • What if I don't have an advisor when I complete renewal?

    All NEW organizations are required to have an Advisor at the time of registration.

    RETURNING Sponsored RSOs are required to have an Advisor at the time of registration.

    RETURNING Affiliated RSOs are allowed to enjoy the benefits of recognition without an advisor for the first several weeks of the semester. This is meant to give returning organizations more time to recruit advisors when campus is back in full-swing. All organizations must have an advisor who meets the requirements and has completed the required trainings by October 1, 2023 to remain in active status as a recognized student organization.

Questions about student organization recognition can be directed to studentinvolvement@k-state.edu