The authority to recognize Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) is shared by the Office of Student Life (OSL) and the Student Government (SG)/Inter-Greek Council (IGC)/Sport Club Council (SCC).
OSL charges each area to establish and maintain criteria and protocol for the recognition of new groups. Student Life will not recognize an RSO if the organization has not been granted recognition by SG, IGC, and/or SCC.
Which group would my organization need to be recognized by?
IGC – The Office Student Life considers multiple factors when identifying whether a new organization should utilize the Fraternity and Sorority Life Expansion Process. These include but are not limited to the organization’s path to membership, restriction or selection of membership based on values or “fit”, and/or organizational engagement in activity deemed high risk by OSL. A combination of these, and other factors, would identify whether a group will be considered a fraternity/sorority
Sport Club Council – The Office of Student Life supports sport-related organizations and Sport Clubs, which are coordinated through the Sport Club Council (SCC). In determining whether a group would be considered a Sport Club, OSL will consider whether the group has been organized for the purpose of furthering the common interests in a particular sport or competitive activity, how and where the group hosts practice, and whether they will compete against other universities or colleges. All Team practices, meetings, competitions, budgets, and fundraisers are organized, managed, and led by club officers and club members.
SG – Organizations that don’t otherwise fall into IGC or Sport Club would only require recognition from SG.
Please note that all Fraternities, Sororities, and Sport Clubs are RSOs while not all RSOs are Fraternities, Sororities, or Sport Clubs.
Initial Recognition Process and Requirements for SG and Sport Club Council recognized groups:
Minimum Requirements for Initial Recognition:
- At least 15 interested students
- Faculty or Staff Advisor
- Constitution
- Ability to procure $1,000,000 liability insurance*
*All RSOs are required to carry a $1 mil liability coverage. Through a collaboration with SFB, all RSOs are provided this coverage from the SAF with the exception of Fraternity & Sorority Life groups and some specific RSOs that may be considered higher risk. Unfortunately, the coverage for these other groups exceeds the maximum expenditure per student allowed from the SAF and as such, these groups must procure their own coverages through their own funding. If a group is unable to procure $1 mil liability coverage through SFB or on their own, they will not be recognized by TCNJ.
Simple Recognition Process:
1. Visit the Student Government “Start a Group” page and review the recognition process and timeline.
2. Email startagroup@tcnj.edu to inform them of your interest and to get answers to any questions you may have about the process.
3. Submit the “New Student Organization Application.”
4. Student Life will support SG with an Administrative Review of the Potential Student Organizations (PSOs). Though OSL does not grant recognition to PSOs, OSL reviews constitution and by-law structures, language, and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal, State, Local, and TCNJ regulations. OSL also works with the Student Finance Board (SFB) to ensure the ability to procure insurance coverage for the PSO. Upon successful completion of the administrative review, the PSO moves forward with the rest of the SG process.
5. Once fully approved by the Student Government, you will receive instructions on attending a Mandatory New Organization Onboarding training (held once a semester) and advisor meeting with the Office of Student Life.
6. Finally, you did it! You will receive your organization email and book.it access and your organization will be fully recognized starting the following semester.
Initial Recognition Process for IGC Fraternity & Sorority Life groups:
Please see the Expansion Process to review the process, requirements, and contacts.