THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS OPERATING PROCEDURES


SUBJECT:  STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

PROCEDURE:  2E:15:01A                     DATE:   August 30, 1989

SUPERSEDES PROCEDURE NO.:  2E:01:02A      DATED:  November 21, 1988


              Types of Student Organizations

Student Organizations may be either organizations sponsored by
The University of Memphis, such as student government association, 
associated student body organizations, and professional and honors 
societies, or organizations officially registered by The University 
of Memphis.  Organizations which may be registered to operate on campus 
include the following:  (a) honors and leadership organizations and 
recognition societies; (b) departmental organizations and professional 
fraternities and sororities; (c) social fraternities and sororities; and 
(d) special interest groups (political. religious. athletic, etc.).
Registration of a student organization by The University of Memphis shall 
neither constitute nor be construed as approval or endorsement by The 
University of the purposes or objectives of the organization.

          General Policies on Student Organizations

  (1)  No student organizations may carry on any activity on the
       campus unless the organization has been officially registered by
       The University of Memphis.

  (2)  The University of Memphis shall not be responsible for injuries 
       or damages to persons or property resulting from the activities 
       of student organizations, or for any debts or liabilities incurred 
       by such organizations.

  (3)  No student organization shall deny membership to any person
       on the basis of age, race, sex, religion, handicap or national
       origin, provided that social fraternities and sororities may have
       sex restricted membership.

  (4)  No student organization shall engage in or condone any form
       of hazing, including but not limited to harassment of any person
       by exacting unnecessary, disagreeable, or difficult work, by
       banter, ridicule or criticism, or by abusive or humiliating acts.

  (5)  Student organizations shall be vicariously responsible and
       liable for the conduct and actions of each member of the
       organization while acting in the capacity of a member or while
       attending or participating in any activity of the organization.

  (6)  No person, group or organization may use the name of The
       University of Memphis except that a registered student organ-
       ization may use the name of the institution to indicate that
       it is an affiliation of The University of Memphis students.  No
       person, group or organization may use the seal or any symbol of
       The University of Memphis without the prior written approval of
       the President of The University of Memphis or his designee.

              Criteria for Registration of Organization

  (1)  Any proposed student organization shall be open to all
       students of The University of Memphis who otherwise meet
       membership requirements.  The majority of the membership of the
       organization shall be limited to currently enrolled students.
       Organizations may include faculty and staff of the institution,
       and/or spouses of students, and professional organizations may
       include members of the professional and business communities as
       members.

  (2)  A proposed organization must represent the interests of the
       The University of Memphis student members, and the control of the
       organization must be within the local campus group.  The
       organization must not have a knowing affiliation with an
       organization possessing illegal aims and goals, with a specific
       purpose to further these illegal aims and goals.  All officers are
       to be University students in good standing.

  (3)  The proposed organization must agree to comply with all
       policies established by the Board and The University of Memphis,
       and with all federal and state laws and regulations.

  (4)  The proposed organization must not: (a) have illegal aims and
       goals: (b) propose activities which would violate regulations of
       the Board or the institution or federal or state laws and
       regulations, or materially and substantially disrupt the work and
       discipline of the institution; or (c) advocate incitement of
       imminent lawless action which is likely to produce such action.

  (5)  The proposed organization must have the minimum number of ten
       charter members who are current students, and there must be a
       demonstration of continuous interest in the purposes of the
       organization sufficient to afford registration on a long-term
       basis.

  (6)  New organizations may be denied registration where the purposes 
       are within the scope of a current registered organization.  No 
       organization may use the same name, or a name which is mis-
       leading and similar to the name of a currently registered
       organization.

  (7)  The organization must provide for the distribution of all funds 
       and assets in the event of dissolution.

               Procedure for Registration of Organization

  (1)  In order to become officially registered as a student
       organization, a group must meet the criteria set forth under
       Criteria for Registration of Organizations, and must provide a
       minimum of the following:

       (a)  An organization or request to form the organization on the
            proper form (available in UC 425).
       (b)  The proposed constitution and bylaws of the organizations,
            which must clearly contain the following: the name, purpose,
            proposed activities, and rules of membership of the
            organization, the officers, their terms and methods of
            selection, the proposed nature and frequency of meetings and
            activities, and the financial plans of the organization,
            including any proposed fees, dues and assessments.
       (c)  The names and signatures of the charter members of the
            organization, who must have 1  2.0 cumulative G.P.A.
       (d)  The names of the faculty advisor and/or the administrative
            officers who will sponsor the organization.

       (e)  A statement of assurance of compliance by the organization
            that it will comply with all rules and regulations, policies
            and procedures of the Tennessee Board of Regents and The
            University of Memphis and with all federal and state laws
            and regulations.

  (2)  The designated number of copies of the foregoing documents
       and information must be submitted to the Student Organizations
       office, University Center 425.  Recommendations regarding
       registration of a proposed organization must be forwarded by the
       Coordinator of Student Organizations and Activities to the Vice-
       President of Student Educational Services.

  (3)  The Vice-President for Student Educational Services may require 
       the sponsors to clarify any materials or information provided in 
       the registration process to resubmit the application or request 
       with non-conforming materials or provisions deleted, or to appear 
       at a hearing for the purpose of obtaining additional information 
       and testimony concerning the purposes, aims or proposed activities 
       of the organizations.

                   Nature and Conditions of Registration

  (1)  Registration of a student organization for other than a temporary 
       period will be on an annual basis only, effective until the 
       beginning of the next fall term of the institution, and shall be 
       subject to annual renewal by April 30 of each year.

  (2)  Annual renewal of registration of an organization shall be
       dependent upon the organization's demonstration of compliance
       with the following:

       (a)  It must adhere to the purposes, aims and activities as stated
            in the approved constitution and bylaws;

       (b)  It must continue to meet all of the requirements for initial
            registration;

       (c)  It must have remained in compliance with all rules and
            regulations of the institution and all federal and state
            laws;

       (d)  It must submit all changes in the constitution and bylaws to
            the institution for approval;

       (e)  It must maintain a current list of officers, faculty advisors
            and sponsors on file with the institution; and

       (f)  It must have submitted all required financial and other
            reports to the institution.

                                   Reports

  (1)  All organizations must submit an annual report concerning its
       programs and activities during the preceding year.  This report
       shall be reviewed by the Coordinator of Student Organizations and
       Activities and shall be a requirement for renewal of registration.

  (2)  All organizations must submit an annual financial report reflecting 
       all revenues received and disbursed by the organizations, and/or an 
       interim financial report or such a report concerning any fund-raising 
       activity of the organization.  This report shall be a requirement for 
       renewal of registration.
   
          Probation, Suspension, and Withdrawal of Registration

  (1)  An organization may be placed on probation, be suspended, or
       registration may be withdrawn for any of the following reasons:
 
       (a)  The organization fails to maintain compliance with the
            initial requirements for registration;
       (b)  The organization ceases to operate as an active organization;
       (c)  The organization requests withdrawal of registration;
       (d)  The organization operates or engages in any activity in
            violation of the institution or federal or state laws; or
       (e)  The organization fails to submit any required reports.

  (2)  An organization which is placed on probation may continue to hold 
       meetings but may not sponsor any activity or program.  An organi-
       zation which is placed under suspension may not engage in or sponsor 
       any activity or program, and may not hold meetings.  Where registra-
       tion of an organization is withdrawn, it shall cease to exist as an 
       organization.

  (3)  In the event an organization is placed on probation or suspended, or 
       registration is withdrawn on the basis of section 1(d) under Proba-
       tion, Suspension, and Withdrawal of Registration, the organization 
       shall be afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the Associate 
       Dean of Student Life.

                    Officers of Student Organization

No student who is under academic or social suspension from the institution 
shall be eligible to become, or maintain the status of, an officer of the 
organization.

                           Fiscal Procedures

  (1)  Each organization shall maintain a sound financial system related 
       to the collection and disbursement of revenues in accordance with 
       generally accepted accounting principles.  An organization may be 
       subject to audit by representatives of the institution at any time, 
       and appropriate financial records shall be maintained for the pur-
       poses of audit.

  (2)  Each organization shall designate an officer of the organization 
       who is responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds and 
       the maintenance of books and records.
            
                        Programs and Activities

  (1)  The use of any campus property or buildings by an organization 
       shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Board of Regent 
       and The University of Memphis concerning use of property and 
       facilities.  All organizations registered pursuant to the policy 
       shall be "affiliated organizations" for the purposes of any Board or 
       institution policies concerning use of campus property and facilities.

  (2)  Except for routine meetings of the organization, no on-campus
       property or activity shall be engaged in unless approved by the
       Associate Dean for Student Life.  Prior approval is needed for
       off-campus programs and activities.  Prior to approval, The
       University of Memphis may require a specified number of officials
       or security officers for any event, activity or program.

  (3)  Any fund-raising activity on campus shall be for the benefit
       of the organization as a whole or a charity, and no funds shall
       be distributed to the officers or members of an organization for
       personal profit or gain.

  (4)  No guest speakers shall be invited to the campus except pursuant to 
       policies of the Board and University of Memphis concerning off-campus 
       speakers.