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Policy Statement on Student Organizations
Campus student organizations include activities and clubs recognized
through the Oglethorpe Student Government Association (SGA), student publications
organized under the Publications Council, co-curricular groups and
honorary societies chartered at the University and fraternities and
sororities coordinated by the Interfraternity Council or the
Panhellenic Council. Student organizations are subject to the
authority and regulations of the University. Recognition and
continuation of a campus student organization requires that the
philosophy and purpose of the group's activities be consistent with
the philosophy and purpose of the University. National affiliation
of student organizations is subject to approval of the University.
Eligibility for membership or active participation in student
organizations is limited to currently enrolled students at
Oglethorpe University. Eligibility to serve as an officer or in an
official capacity in a student organization is restricted to full
time, currently registered students who are not on academic or
disciplinary probation. Any questions concerning eligibility for
membership or holding office in a student organization are subject
to final determination by the Vice President for Campus Life.
All student organizations must have a University faculty or staff
advisor. Each group must renew its status annually by reporting any
changes in its name or purpose, as well as the names of its members,
officers and advisor to the Campus Life Office at the beginning
of each fall semester. Failure to comply with these provisions may
result in the organization being declared inactive. An organization
declared inactive or determined to be defunct must reapply for
recognition to be reactivated.
Recognition of Campus Organizations
Groups desiring to form a campus student organization must follow
the appropriate process prescribed by the SGA, the Publications Council, the Interfraternity Council,
the Panhellenic Council or the University. Generally, recognition of
a new student organization requires a proposed constitution that
contains a statement of purpose, along with a list of members,
officers, and an advisor. Charters of new organizations must be
approved initially by the student recognition body and subsequently
by the University. Information and advice on the procedures and
process are available from the Director of Student Activities.
Discipline of Student Organizations
Student organizations exist in a special relationship to the
University. In the event that a student organization is accused of
violating University rules and regulations, the organization will
undergo a judicial process similar to that for individual students
and will be accorded the rights of fundamental fairness and
presumption of innocence. However, during the time prior to the
judicial review process, the Vice President for Student Affairs may
suspend the activities of the organization. The right of privacy
guaranteed to individuals by FERPA does not apply to organizations.
A judicial officer will appoint a judicial panel composed of
students, staff and faculty members to hear the case. If the
organization is found guilty of violating a University rule or
regulation the judicial officer will impose a sanction. The
organization has the right to appeal the sanction in writing to the
Vice President for Campus Life. The appeal must be made in
writing within five business days of the imposition of the sanction.
Policy on Student Publications
Oglethorpe University supports the publication of the student
newspaper, The Stormy Petrel; the campus yearbook, The
Yamacraw; and the literary magazine, The Tower. Since these
publications are funded by revenues collected by the University, the
ultimate responsibility for these publications lies with the
University. Each publication has at least one faculty or staff
advisor.
The Publications Council is composed of one faculty or staff advisor
from each publication, the Vice President for Campus Life, two
members of the SGA Executive Council and three additional students
selected by the SGA. The Council makes the final selection of the
publication editors, establishes and reviews policies related to the
publications, hears complaints or grievances directed against a
member of a publication staff, and makes the final decision about
the removal from office of an editor.
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