Recognition

All student organizations need to be recognized on a yearly basis. Recognition lasts from July 1 to June 30. Most organizations apply to be recognized during weeks ten and eleven of the spring semester, Mass Funding, for the following academic year. However, applications for recognition are accepted any time during weeks one through ten of the academic year. All recognized organizations receive an automatic allocation of $95 -100.00  for any reasonable organization expenses.

Things You'll Need to Provide

This is some of the information you'll need to provide on the form.

Acronym or Short Name

Most organizations shorten their name and that's what most students know them by. The Asian American Alliance is "AAA" or "Triple A", Global Medical Initiative is "GMI", and the Case Democrats are the "Case Dems."

Email Address & Website

You can provide your organization's email address and website to us, so we can direct people there for more information.

Organization Type

There are seven different categories to help the Finance Committee understand your general needs. The formal definitions are on the form, but here is a little more clarification:

1. Academic/Career. These groups are typically founded around an academic major or pre-professional career. Examples include engineering departments, foreign languages, and pre-med. 
2. Athletic. The Athletic Department recognizes certain organizations as sports clubs and many receive supplementary funding through USG. Also included here are non-Athletic Department recognized organizations that participate in sport activities.
3. Competitive. Some groups travel to other campuses and compete in athletics and academics. Examples include Mock Trial, Model UN.
4. Cultural. Many groups on campus center around a culture or ethnicity and educate the campus about it. Examples include the Indian Student Association and the Taiwanese Student Association.
5. Performance. Students interested in presenting their artistic or performance talents have groups to support that. Examples include Footlighters and several singing groups.
6. Religious. Several organizations center around religion-based activities.
7. Social Service. These organizations dedicate themselves to serving others in the Case community or the wider public. Examples include Global Medical Initiative and Habitat for Humanity.
8. Special Interest. This is the catch-all category, since every organization is dedicated to some kind of "interest".

Statement of Purpose

This is just a brief explanation of the specific intent of the group and the organization's benefit to the CWRU community. We like to know a little more about the group, so that we have a better understanding of what the group is.

Adviser and Organization Officers

All student organizations need a faculty or staff advisor. The advisor should be willing to provide support if called upon. Many university staff and professors are willing to be an advisor, so just ask your favorite! It might help if they are interested in the group too. The role of an advisor varies a lot from group to group, but generally it isn't a lot of work.

The officers of the group also need to be listed on CampusGroups for contact purposes. It's important that every organization has a strong core of leaders, so recruit reliable people as officers.

By confirming their leadership in the group, the president and faculty advisor are accepting that they may be held responsible for the actions and behavior of the group. They are also signifying that they understand and will abide by all USG/UDC and University regulations and restrictions.  If your officers change during the year, please update the officer list CampusGroups. portal.

Additional Information

We ask if you are a new organization or have been recognized within the past two fiscal years. If you're uncertain, check with us. We also ask you if you are affiliated with a national organization and what your estimated average funding request will be.

Initial Membership

An organization needs at least ten undergraduate students to confirm their membership in the group. We don't want just anyone and one or two of their friends to waste your money.

Constitution

Groups need a constitution that explains the operations of the group and contains a clear and explicit non-discrimination clause. For example, Case Western Reserve University does not discriminate in recruitment, employment, or policy administration on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, or status as a disabled veteran or other protected veteran under U.S. federal law.

Written Statements

The Finance Committees use these to justify an organization's recognition. In order to be recognized an organization must provide a unique benefit and continually work to bring a benefit to the CWRU community.

Review Criteria

The Finance Committee uses the following criteria to evaluate recognition requests:

1. Purpose of organization must be unique and not currently represented by existing organization;
2. Purpose of organization must not be overly specific as to limit interest;
3. Must have potential for longevity beyond current membership;
4. Must demonstrate need for recognition; and
5. If previously funded, must demonstrate use of funding.

Membership Requirements

All student organizations recognized by USG/UDC must extend membership privileges to any and all interested undergraduate students, unless the organization demonstrates a necessary and compelling reason for selective membership requirements. Any membership requirements must be no more restrictive than is absolutely essential and must be approved by the USG/UDC Finance Committee. The only approved requirements currently are:

1. Sex-based restrictions for performance organizations;
2. Major, GPA restrictions for academic organizations when required by national affiliate.

Privileges of a Recognized Organization

As a recognized student organization you are granted certain privileges:

1. Included in CampusGroups, the current online community engagement platform (community.case.edu);
2. Resources and staff in the Student Activities and Leadership Office;
3. Official use of the University's name in connection with activities;
4. Reserve rooms and facilities;
5. Petition for storage when available;
6. Postings in designated areas;
7. Copy privileges in the Student Org Center (TVUC);
8. *Use of the SPARTA Center;
9. **Use of a Debit Card for the student organization;
10. Table at Student Activities Fair during first-year orientation;
11. Participation in USG funding process.

*Student organization resource center; paper supplies and some party supplies available for free. Reservations can be made via the online CampusGroups form.

**Debit Card applications are open for a specific period of time; student organization leaders will be notified as to when. Typically this is mid-August -mid September and mid-December to mid-January. The card is assigned to students, not student organizations. It may only be used by card holder.