Starting a New Student Organization
Process Overview
Step 1: Confirm that the organization you are interested in creating is not duplicated in the student organization community by searching the Student Organization Directory. Specifically, the purpose of the new organization needs to stand apart from all other student organizations.
Step 2: Confirm you have a Primary Leader, Secondary Leader, Treasurer, Advisor, and at least five (5) members (inclusive of officers).
Step 3: Complete a New Organization Interest Form, which must be submitted by October 1 or March 15, respectively, to ensure adequate time for new organizations to complete initial meetings and registration requirements.
Step 4: Once approved, attend a New Organization Welcome (NOW) Session, which explains the registration process and next steps.
Step 5: Once you have attended the NOW session, you will be given access to the Student Organization Management System and will proceed with registration. Organizations must complete the requirements within 60 days of receiving access to the system or by the end of the registration window, whichever comes later.
Email our team at StudentOrganizations@osu.edu if you have questions about registration or starting a new student organization.
New Organization Process Timeline
The following table indicates the standard timeline and windows during which the steps to register a new organization can be completed.
| Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|
| Submit New Organization Interest Form | Aug 1 - Oct 1 | Jan 15 - Mar 15 |
| Staff Review Period This is an average and is not guaranteed |
2-3 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
| Attend New Organization Welcome (NOW) Session Instructions for completion are sent via email from staff |
Aug 15 - Oct 15 | Feb 1 - Apr 1 |
| Registration Deadline After completing NOW Session; whichever is later |
60 days or Oct 30 | 60 days or Apr 15 |
Important Information
- New student organizations that have a deadline later than the standard end of the registration window (October 30th or April 15th) must still complete the live trainings before the deadline (October 30th or April 15th). No trainings are offered after the deadline, so failure to complete the live trainings before the standard deadline will prevent your organization from completing registration.
- Students who wish to start a new organization must first secure a Primary Leader, Secondary Leader, Treasurer, and Advisor before completing the New Organization Interest Form. This ensures that organizations have the infrastructure in place to be able to complete all the registration requirements within the registration window.
- The Student Organization team cannot assist you in finding an advisor. Student organization leaders are responsible for recruiting/selecting their advisor. There are many ways to be successful in finding an advisor. Consider reaching out to your existing networks of faculty and staff. Seek individuals with similar academic backgrounds or interest areas. Connect with similar student organizations for advice and networking.
- The Student Organization team cannot assist you in finding an advisor. Student organization leaders are responsible for recruiting/selecting their advisor. There are many ways to be successful in finding an advisor. Consider reaching out to your existing networks of faculty and staff. Seek individuals with similar academic backgrounds or interest areas. Connect with similar student organizations for advice and networking.
- The sooner you submit the New Organization Interest Form, the more time your organization will have to complete the requirements. If you submit the form near the deadline, you will have less options to complete the live trainings before the standard window ends. It can take our team a couple weeks to approve organizations and conduct the required NOW meetings, so we recommend that before you submit the New Organization Interest Form that you confirm that all leaders and the advisor are able to attend a live training session, as no make ups are offered.
- If your organization was previously registered but has gone inactive for more than two years and is no longer searchable in the Student Organization Directory, you will need to fill out the New Organization Interest Form like all other new organization. Prior registration does not guarantee approval upon re-submission.