»Categories of Student Organizations«
»Formation/Registration of Student Organizations«
»Registration of Club Sport Activities«
»Registration of Fraternities and Sororities«
»Reporting Obligation for Advisors to Student Organizations«
»Student Organization Disciplinary Procedures«
»Academic Standing and Participation in Activities«
»Standing for Election/Appointment«
»Social/Service Fraternities and Sororities«
»Guidelines for Media Presence«
»Hazing«
»University Policy on Alcoholic Beverages«
»Guidelines for the Service of Alcohol at Student Organization Events«
»Guidelines for Marketing Alcoholic Beverages«
»La Salle University Information Posting Policy«
There are three basic categories of student organizations at La Salle University: extracurricular, co-curricular, and co-institutional—each of which is described below.Extracurricular organizations are primarily student-led and sponsored. With exceptions as noted below, membership is open to all full and part-time students of the particular division (day, evening, or graduate) and will not be denied based on race, religion, national origin, gender (except for single gender fraternities or sororities), or physical handicap. Included in this category, along with general extracurricular organizations, are fraternities and sororities. For further, specific information about requirements for and expectations of those organizations, see the “Registration of Fraternities and Sororities,” and “Social/Service Fraternities and Sororities” sections below.Co-curricular organizations are directly associated with or sponsored by University academic departments or programs. There are two kinds of co-curricular organizations. Academic clubs are open to all full or part-time students of the particular division (day, evening, or graduate) and will not be denied based on race, religion, national origin, gender, or physical handicap. Academic honor societies may restrict membership to those students majoring in a specific discipline and may state the minimum grade point standards to be considered for membership.
Co-institutional organizations are directly sponsored by a University administrative department or other administrative unit. The sponsoring department(s) or administrative unit(s) may dictate criteria and selection for membership, although neither criteria nor selection may include denial of membership based on race, religion, national origin, gender or physical handicap.
Student groups wishing to be recognized should register their organizations with the Community Coordinator for Leadership Development in the Community Development Office in La Salle Union 303. To register, interested students need to:
The Community Coordinator for Leadership Development will review the materials and work with the group through the registration process. Written notification should occur within two to three weeks after documents have been submitted.
Registration is an acknowledgement that the student group has complied with the registration procedures, that La Salle accepts the organization’s mission statement and constitution, and that the student group is eligible for all the rights and benefits registered student organizations enjoy.
Registration does not imply that the University endorses the views of the organization as a group or of its individual members.
Each student organization registered at La Salle University will enjoy the following:
Student Organizations wishing to maintain their recognition with the University are required to:
Student Organizations will lose their recognition with the University if the following occurs:
Eligibility for annual funding is granted only to organizations which have been registered for at least three (3) consecutive years. Such organizations must, in the judgment of the Community Coordinator for Leadership Development:
Leadership development is key to individual and organization success. To promote this, various programs, retreats, workshops, and seminars are offered throughout the year. Student organizations which receive funding should be represented at a minimum of one-half of the leadership training programs offered each semester by the Community Coordinator for Leadership Development, and attend Students’ Government Association Student Awareness Forums. Attendance information will be available for the Funding Board’s review. Appropriate representatives include Editors-in-Chief and editorial staff of all funded student publications, and all elected or appointed officers and committee chairs of student groups receiving funds from the University or the Activities
Funding Board. This could include funds from an annual budget, the Activities Programs Budget, and/or the Activities Contingency Fund.
As of August, 2009 the management and direction of Club Sports has moved from the Division of Student Affairs to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, specifically under the direction of Campus Recreation. For information relating to Club Sports, please contact the Director of Campus Recreation at 215-951-1560.
All fraternities and sororities, with the exception of those currently registered, must be affiliated with a national organization. Local fraternities and sororities will not receive registered status. If a nationally affiliated chapter had been registered within the last two (2) years, and lost registration, the Community Coordinator for Greek Life may alter the registration process.
The Community Coordinator for Greek Life will serve as the liaison between the University and the national office, sharing and gathering all pertinent information including the organization’s constitution, by-laws and amendments, policy statements regarding new member education and hazing, anti-discrimination, substance abuse, sexual harassment, and resource materials for educational programs relating to these issues.
A prospective fraternity or sorority must first meet all qualifications for registration as a student organization. The group then applies for applicant membership in the Interfraternity-Sorority Council.
At least one (1) on-site visit must be made by the appropriate national office official(s). During that visit, the La Salle students proposing colonization and the national official(s) will meet with the following campus representatives who will recommend to the Interfraternity-Sorority Council for or against Applicant Membership in the Interfraternity-Sorority Council:
If approved by the Interfraternity-Sorority Council for Applicant Membership, the organization has the rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Interfraternity-Sorority Council Constitution and the policy for “Registration of Student Organizations.” If the application for Applicant Membership is denied, the decision may be appealed to the Student Affairs Committee.
If approved by the Interfraternity-Sorority Council for Applicant Membership, the organization has the rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Interfraternity-Sorority Council Constitution and the policy for “Registration of Student Organizations.”
If the application for Applicant Membership is denied, the decision may be appealed to the Student Affairs Committee.
Under a federal law known as the Clery Act, La Salle is required to report certain alleged criminal activity that may be reported to advisors to student organizations. Not only because of this reporting obligation, but in the interest of campus safety and security generally, it is essential that advisors to student organizations report any alleged or suspected criminal activity on or around campus of which they become aware to Campus Security or the Dean of Students’ Office. That the victim or person who reported the alleged crime wishes to remain anonymous or the incident to remain confidential does not eliminate this reporting obligation. In all cases, an Incident Reporting Form should be completed, though personally identifiable information may be omitted at the request of the alleged victim to protect his or her privacy. In such cases, the advisor should report to Campus Security or the Dean of Students’ Office at least: (1) the alleged crime; (2) the date it occurred; and (3) the location where it occurred. Telephone numbers for crime reporting: Campus Security: 215-951-2111
Dean of Students: 215-951-1017
Senior Associate Dean of Students: 215-951-1916
Director of Community Standards and Support: 215-951-1916
Participation in all student organization activity is voluntary; yet, students who take advantage of the variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities do assume a corresponding responsibility to fulfill certain academic and behavioral standards consistent with the purposes of the University. Furthermore, members of student organizations should know and adhere to the regulations stated in the Student Guide to Rights and Responsibilities. With the exception of confidentiality, the University guarantees student organizations the same due process rights and protection from arbitrary or capricious disciplinary actions as are assured to individual students. The development of attitudes, values, and skills which enhance mature, responsible behavior is among the primary objectives of the University’s co-curricular and extracurricular activities and involvement in student organizations should be an integral aspect of each student’s educational experience. The regulations developed to govern student organizations, as distinct from individual student conduct, reflect that same spirit and will be administered in a consistent and fair process for all members of the community.Any registered or annually funded student organization which, in either its on or off-campus activity, violates its own mission statement/constitution, fails to comply with University policies, or breaks any federal, state, or local law is liable to conduct warning, probation, suspension, or revocation of its University Registration or Annual Funding. An organization with a national affiliation (e.g., fraternities and sororities, academic honor societies, professional organizations, etc.) which violates a major policy of its national office also may be subject to a similar sanction.Should any violation(s) be alleged, charges may be filed by a student, faculty member, or administrator with the Senior Associate Dean of Students who will assign a preliminary hearing officer to meet with the designated leader of the organization and make a preliminary decision regarding the charges against the organization. The preliminary hearing officer may recommend to the Senior Associate Dean a finding of not responsible, a sanction (as described in this policy) or direct the decision to be made by a panel drawn from the University Judicial Board to investigate and adjudicate the charges. If charges have been filed against a fraternity/sorority, at least one member of the panel must be an active member of a social, service, or professional fraternity or sorority. If an organization is determined responsible for a violation, one of the following sanctions will be imposed: conduct warning, probation, suspension of Registration/Annual Funding, or revocation of Registration/Annual Funding.
All disciplinary action is based on the best judgment of members of the University community who have considered the seriousness of the offense, the individual circumstances, and the best interest of the general educational community. All sanctions shall be stated in writing and will be matter of record in the Community Development Office in Union #303. A combination of sanctions may be invoked, when deemed appropriate. The sanctions which may be imposed upon student organizations for the commission of offenses recognized by the University judicial system include the following:
A Conduct Warning is a notice in writing that an organization’s conduct necessitated the initiation of disciplinary proceedings. The nature and
circumstances of the conduct does not warrant more severe disciplinary action, but this warning will be a matter of record in the Community Development Office for future reference. Restitution and/or required educational programs may be conditions imposed with a conduct warning.
Probation is a formal notice that a violation has occurred.
A specific period of review and observation (as determined by the Judicial Board) will be required. During that probationary period, the organization must demonstrate its ability to remain in good standing in the University community.
Suspension is the termination of the organization’s status for a specific period of time. If an organization’s recognition is suspended, the period of suspension shall not exceed one calendar year. During the suspension, any or all of the following conditions may be imposed by the Judicial Board.
An organization may immediately be placed on Interim Suspension, pending adjudication of the charges if, in the judgment of the Senior Associate Dean of Students:
During the period of Interim Suspension, any of the above sanctions may be imposed.
Revocation is the termination of the organization’s status as a registered or recognized group.
A new group of students may apply for institutional registration under the same group/organization’s name and mission statement/constitution no sooner than three (3) years after the revocation decision has been made by the University disciplinary process. If such a student group chooses to seek University registration it must follow the procedures as defined above for new clubs, groups, and organizations.
All disciplinary hearings will be conducted as detailed in the “Disciplinary Hearing Procedures” section of the Student Guide to Rights and Responsibilities.
Students running for major offices or applying for appointment to University Committees must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.25 to be eligible and must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 2.0 during the duration of their term. A minimum 2.25 cumulative G.P.A. is required when standing for re-election or reappointment. This policy applies to the following positions:
This policy is administered by the Community Coordinator of Leadership Development who will certify eligible candidates prior to election campaigns and/or appointment and at the beginning of each semester. Student Organizations are responsible for submitting a list of candidates with student identification numbers to the Community Coordinator for Leadership Development at least ten (10) business days prior to an election for certification. Information regarding adherence to this policy will be available for the Funding Board’s review. The Dean of Students is the final judge of eligibility.
A substantial time commitment often is required to fulfill the responsibilities of executive positions in annually funded organizations. In the interests of the officers and of the student organization(s), the Student Affairs Committee recommends the following best practices be considered:
Executive positions normally include those of the president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer or their equivalent roles.
In addition to over one hundred active student organizations, local and inter/national social/service fraternities and sororities are registered student organizations. For many students, participation in Greek organizations is a rewarding and fulfilling extracurricular activity. The Greek community provides special opportunities for leadership training, social service activity, the development of friendships and a greater sense of community which often enhance students’ experiences as undergraduates and alumni/alumnae. In order to support and assist the La Salle Greek organizations, the following regulations/guidelines have been adopted as standards held by all members of the La Salle Greek community.
Soliciting funds, selling chances, or merchandising of any kind is not allowed without the permission of the organization and the approval of the Community Coordinator of Leadership Development. Solicitation is also not allowed in the student residences without the approval of the Senior Associate Dean of Students.Credit Card offers, promotions, fundraisers, etc. of any kind are prohibited.
Outside media may only be present on campus for University events (including, but not limited to, those sponsored by registered student organizations) with the express permission of and coordination with the office of University Communications.
The University Communications office has established graphic identity standards that apply to La Salle University’s marks, which include the University logo, the Athletics logo, and the Presidential Coat of Arms. Student organizations are not eligible to use the Athletics logo or the Presidential Coat of Arms; however, they may utilize the University logo, provided that they follow the usage rules. Rules include restrictions on the logo’s placement on certain products, colors, photographs, and other backgrounds. In addition, use of specific blue and gold colors is mandatory. Organizations wishing to use the University logo should first inform the Community Coordinator for Leadership Development, who will provide initial guidance and refer, if necessary, questions to University Communications.
Hazing activities in any form are prohibited. The University supports and will enforce the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Anti-Hazing Law Act 175 of 1986. This document defines hazing as any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education. The term shall include, but not be limited to any brutality of physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property. For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be ‘forced’ activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.La Salle University adheres to the College Fraternity Secretaries Association’s definition of hazing:…any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off University or fraternity/sorority premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shock…or any other activities…; wearing publicly apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual, or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution.
In case of violations, individuals and/or the fraternity or sorority as a whole may be subject to disciplinary action.
La Salle University encourages and seeks to maintain an academic environment in which individual rights are respected and the health, safety, and welfare of the total community are promoted. While individuals who fulfill the requirements prescribed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are free to choose to consume alcohol, only consumption in accordance with the following policies is permitted. The following policy, drawn from the Pennsylvania Crimes and Liquor Codes, governs the possession, sale, and consumption of alcohol on University campus:No person less than twenty-one (21) years of age shall purchase, consume, possess, or transport or attempt to purchase, consume, possess, or transport any alcohol, liquor or malt or brewed beverages on University property or at any University sponsored events. No student or University employee shall transfer or possess a registration card or other form of identification for the purpose of falsifying age to secure any alcohol, liquor or malt or brewed beverages. Nor shall any student or University employee sell, furnish, allow to possess, or give any alcohol, liquor or malt or brewed beverages, or permit any alcohol, liquor or malt or brewed beverage to be sold, furnished, allowed to be possessed, or given to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age. The University does not prohibit the lawful possession or responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages by students twenty-one (21) years of age or older. This should not be interpreted to mean that the University encourages the use of alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, the University considers intoxication, disorderliness, or offensive behavior deriving from the use of alcoholic beverages to be subject to disciplinary action, regardless of the student’s age. The University prohibits unauthorized use of alcoholic beverages in the academic buildings, in the public areas of student residences, the La Salle Union, other University controlled facilities, and at University sponsored functions on or off campus.
The University strongly encourages students, faculty, and staff to understand the Pennsylvania Crimes and Liquor Codes and the substantial penalties which may result from the violation of this code, as well as relevant Philadelphia city ordinances.
Authorization to serve beer and/or wine will be granted only for closed group social functions. A closed group is defined as the members of the sponsoring organization plus one (1) guest per attending member. The Student Programming Center staff should be consulted in advance of this, and any other type of event.Specific Guidelines
Authorization will not be granted for alcohol events:
Any group hosting a registered event is responsible for monitoring and controlling the behavior of members and guests. When this does not happen and a group fails to enforce the regulations, the minimum disciplinary sanctions as appearing below will be imposed.
Student organizations (including Greek Letter Organizations) and individual students wishing to post information on the campus of La Salle University must secure authorization from the Community Coordinator for Leadership Development, Union Room 303. Postings, in any form, may not be sexist, racist, or vulgar in content or in substantial opposition to the values and beliefs commonly held by the Catholic tradition. Content must comply with all applicable university policies. When symbols or unfamiliar acronyms are used, a statement of meaning must be filed with the Community Coordinator for Leadership Development.If the sponsoring group does not follow the policies stated below, the group may lose its right to post information on the campus of La Salle University in the future or be charged judicially with failure to comply with the direction of University officials.
All table tents must be approved through Union Services. This can be done during the free period in Union 119A. It is also asked that you approach the manager of each food location to make sure they are aware that the table tents will be placed.
The Student Programming Center promotes student involvement, student programming, and student awareness of campus involvement. The Student Programming Center is a liaison with other critical offices in the Division of Student Affairs and other University departments.The Student Programming Center can assist with shaping programming ideas though shared learning, funding for programs, building community among other student organizations and university departments, assistance with contracting and utilizing funding allotments and program publicity.The Student Programming Center has resources helpful to student planning of an event on campus. We offer the following resources: student organization listings, funding opportunities for programming, program development tools, information about campus events, and assistance on sponsoring a program for Late Night La Salle.
The advisors for the following organizations work in the Student Programming Center: The Explorer (yearbook), Con.Artists (performing arts), WEXP- 530 AM (radio station) and The Masque (theater).
If you are planning a larger-scale (tickets sold, check in areas, expected
numbers of 200 or more, elaborate stage settings) program or have never
facilitated a program you MUST receive permission from the Director of
the Student Programming Center before the program can occur.
Financial Resources | You must secure funding for your program before any contractual agreements are made. There are many funding opportunities available including The Activities Funding Board, Activities Programming Budget, Late Night La Salle, etc. |
Contracts/Invoices | DO NOT sign any contract or agreement until you have had the contract reviewed by your supervisor, Student Programming Center, or University official. Contracts are legally binding agreements. |
Special Events Security and Emergency Attendant (EMS/EMT) | All programs must be offered in a safe environment. La Salle University Security cannot provide the security staffing for large scale concert/events security. An Emergency Attendant on site will treat any emergency health situation in a calm and professional manner. The Student Programming Center has contacts for outside security and emergency attendant firms. |
Lighting, Staging, and Sound | Some technical performance riders require more elaborate performance details than La Salle University can provide. |
Check-lists and Record Keeping | An event requires organization. Much of work that needs to be completed and recorded. It is advisable to keep all paperwork in a folder or binder. |
Logistical Concerns | Keep contact with the various offices from which resources are being utilized: Administrative Services, Multi-Media Services, Safety and Security, and any outside vendors (i.e., security, EMT, sound tech.)- keep the lines of communication open! |
Administrative Presence | Large-scale events require an administrative presence at the event. When there is more help the event is more enjoyable. Student organizers are also expected to work the event. |
Physical Facilities | Large-scale events may require more resources than our University facilities can provide. Independent clean-up teams, electrical resources, and set-up crews may need to be acquired to support an event. |
Hospitality/Hotel/Transportation Arrangements | Performance riders may detail specific food, hotel, and transportation needs. You MUST meet with a Student Programming Center staff for approval of the performance rider. If the rider is approved it is the student organization’s or Community Development staff member’s responsibility to make the arrangements for the performers’ needs. |