STUDENT ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION
AGREEMENT
CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT/TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY
This Student Organization Recognition Agreement
by Truman State University is entered into by and between Truman State
University (hereafter called the University) and the student organization
designated below (hereafter called the Organization).
WHEREAS, the University believes that student
organizations contribute significantly and positively to the quality of the
Truman experience through the provision of service opportunities, leadership
skills development, social connections, and opportunities to pursue common
interests,
WHEREAS, the University wishes the support student
organizations in their efforts to make positive contributions to student
experiences,
WHEREAS, the University recognizes that it does not
control all of the affairs of student organizations and that the student
officers and members of the organization are ultimately responsible for the
vision, values, and activities of the organization,
THEREFORE, the university and the organization agree to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement for official recognition.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
- This agreement will be in effect from August 23, 2012
until August 22, 2013. Additional information may be required throughout
this time period to remain in active status.
- The University hereby extends official recognition to
the organization. This official recognition in no way implies an endorsement
of the Organization or its activities by the University. The recognition
does, however, provide access to University facilities and services as
described in this agreement.
- This agreement constitutes the annual renewal process
required of student organizations.
- The University acknowledges that the Organization is
an independent organization that is seeking the privileges of recognition.
- The University has no duties other than those
identified in this Agreement and do not assume liability as a consequence of
this agreement. The University does not assume responsibility for any
failure of the Organization to comply with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. The University does not assume responsibility for supervision,
control, safety, security, or services other than those specifically cited
in this Agreement.
- The Organization is not permitted to use the
University name, tax
identification number or misrepresent in any way the Organization’s
affiliation with the University.
- The Organization may terminate this Agreement and
extinguish all obligations to the University upon written notice to the
Center for Student Involvement. As a result, recognition will be withdrawn
upon receipt of written notice.
- The University may also terminate this Agreement with
justifiable cause and extinguish all privileges to the Organization upon
written notice to the president and/or faculty/staff advisor of the
organization.
II.
ELIGIBILITY FOR RECOGNITION
For official recognition by the University, the organization must maintain a
position of good standing. The organization must:
- Comply with all federal, state and local laws and
regulations and all University policies and procedures. These include, but
are not limited to: the terms of this agreement, the Student conduct code,
Student Organizational Code of Conduct, Center for Student Involvement
regulations, University facility guidelines, and department requirements (if
applicable).
- Comply with other governing documents which should
not conflict with University policies and procedures. These include, but are
not limited to: council constitutions, department requirements, and any
relevant parent or national organization requirements.
- Have a Truman faculty/staff advisor.
- Attend the mandatory workshop held at the beginning
of the fall semester in order to be officially recognized by the University.
- Submit an organizational roster each semester via
TruView.
- Notify the Center for Student Involvement of any
organizational leadership and advisor changes (i.e. electing new officers,
change of organization name, advisor leaves the University, etc.)
III.
PRIVILEGES OF RECOGNITION
University recognized student organizations enjoy the following privileges:
- Organizational support services from the Center for
Student Involvement, including access to a student organization mailbox.
- Access to copier/charging capabilities with the
Center for Student Involvement.
- Ability to post advertisements and information
according to established Advertising/Posting Policies.
- Access to scheduling University property and
facilities through established procedures.
- Eligibility to apply for funding from the Funds
Allotment Council (i.e. FAC and ICA funding).
- Ability to participate in University sponsored
activities for recruiting membership and leadership development
opportunities.
- Access to a student organization web and e-mail
account.
- Access to the Banner roster system and Cocurricular
Record resources.
IV.
ANTI-HAZING POLICY
As set forth in the Student Conduct Code of Truman State University
8.050.2. Expectations for Student Organization Conduct Section 14: Abusive
affiliation.
- The term “hazing” is any act on or off the campus of
the University, determined by a reasonable person, that endangers the mental
or physical health or comfort or safety of a student prospective member, or
results in the destruction or removal of public or private property, or
which causes embarrassment, or humiliation, for the purpose of initiation or
admission into, affiliation with, or confirming any form of affiliation, or
continue membership in a student organization regardless of an individual’s
willingness to participate in the activity.
- Acts of hazing shall include, but not be limited to:
- Any activity which endangers the physical health or
safety of the student or prospective member, including, but not limited to,
physical brutality, whipping, paddling, slapping, kicking, choking,
scratching, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption
of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or forced smoking or chewing
of tobacco products; or
- Any activity which endangers the mental health of
the student or prospective member, including but not limited to sleep
deprivation, physical confinement, placing prospective members of an
organization or group in ambiguous situations which lead to confusion and
emotional stress, or other extreme stress-inducing activity; or
- Any activity that requires the student or
prospective member to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of
criminal laws of this state or any University policies, rules, or
regulations published in University documents; or
- Subservience, including but not limited to any
activity which promotes a class system within organizations or activities,
which facilitate inappropriate levels of authority over students.
- Hazing also includes any additional acts included in
the definition of hazing by Missouri law, which currently is set forth in
Section 578.360, Revised Statutes of Missouri.
V. Risk
Management
University
recognized student organizations
sponsoring or participating in events involving students
are expected to mitigate
potential risk of the events and
activities by compliance with the following:
-
Provide adequate training and supervision for organizational events;
- Ensure all events
and activities comply with state and federal laws including but not limited
to statutes governing substance use, discrimination, harassment, hazing,
copyrights, gambling, serving food, etc.;
- Ensure that all
events and activities comply with University policy and support the mission
and purposes of the institution;
-
Ensure a risk assessment of each activity sponsored by the organization is
completed in order
to minimize the
amount of physical, reputational, emotional, and financial risk to which the
organization and participants are exposed (see
http://csi.truman.edu/risk
for assistance in completing a risk assessment);
-
Follow industry standards if they are
available;
-
Use licensed commercial transportation instead of personal vehicles when
possible;
- Evaluate the
facilities where events and activities to determine if the level of safety,
supervision, security and appropriateness for the activity is reasonable.
(Note: Organizations holding events or activities at off-campus locations
should also take reasonable steps to ensure that participants are protected
from the threat of physical harm, harassment, or discrimination from other
patrons of the facility.);
- Make reasonable
efforts to confirm that off campus locations where events occur do not
discriminate on the basis of race or have racially derogatory signs,
displays, or graffiti.
-
Take all reasonable precautions and plan for potential issues;
VI.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Disciplinary actions against a recognized student organization will be
conducted through the procedures outlined in the student conduct code/student
organization code of conduct. Failure to abide by the student conduct code may
result in disciplinary sanctions. All disciplinary concerns will be forwarded to
the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for the Office of Citizenship and
Community Standards.
VII.
INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
The recognized student organization and its individual active, inactive, or
associate members shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the State of
Missouri, the Board of Governors, Truman State University, their officers,
employees, and agents from and against any and all liability, loss, claims,
damages, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from or
related to the performance by the University or the Organization or their
respective agents of any obligation or responsibility referenced in the
Agreement or any other activity undertaken for any purpose by the organization
or its individual active, inactive, or associate members, or guests/invitees
regardless of whether such activities are negligent or intentional acts or
omissions.
VIII.
AGREEMENT EXECUTION
We have read the Student Organization Recognition Agreement and
require that the Organization be officially recognized by Truman State
University for the current academic year. Upon receipt of this signed form the
Organization named will be granted all privileges normally associated with such
registration as described above. By providing my electronic signature, I agree
the Organization will:
- Abide by policies and procedures of the University,
to support its goals and objectives, and to be responsible for the
activities and behavior of the organization and its members. We also agree
to abide by the ordinances of the City of Kirksville and the laws of the
State of Missouri.
- Keep all member information, such as Banner ID
numbers and other personal information confidential and that intentional
disclosure of this information or misuse of access to the Banner system may
result in criminal and civil penalties and/or sanctions under Truman State
University Student Conduct Code.
- Acknowledge the following statement: Any student
organization that is found “responsible” by a University Conduct Officer or
University Conduct Board for violating any Expectation for Student
Organization Conduct (rule) of the Student Conduct Code will be charged a
$100 administrative processing fee within 10 business days of the conduct
hearing and a check payable to Truman State University will be delivered to
the Office of Citizenship and Community Standards. Student organizations
that do not pay the administrative processing fee within 10 business days
will have their University recognition and privileges suspended (i.e., room
reservations, posting privileges, etc.) until the administrative processing
fee is paid. Student organizations that are found “not-responsible” will not
be charged an administrative processing fee.