If you are enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington, you can start a registered Self-Governed Student Organization (SGSO) by following the steps and policies on this page.
But first, see if your organization already exists. Browse organizations by category or search for specific words or phrases on beINvolved, IU’s comprehensive student involvement database. If your idea isn’t already out there, keep reading.
Student groups are not required to be registered with Student Involvement and Leadership. However, there are many benefits that go along with being registered.
To be a registered student organization at Indiana University Bloomington, your organization must:
Self-Governed Student organizations are responsible for providing proof of the completion of requirements to Student Involvement and Leadership before they can be registered. Additionally, the organization must provide proof of the completion of requirements before they can renew their organization’s registration in subsequent years.
You may not register “dummy” student organizations for the purpose of for-profit ventures. Individuals who do so will be in violation of the IU Student Code of Ethics and may be subject to sanctioning through the Office of Student Conduct.
Annual reregistration is required in order to maintain your access to student organization benefits. If your organization does not reregister for the upcoming academic year, your benefits (including space reservation) will expire.
Only students who are willing to serve as the primary contact for the organization should complete the reregistration form.
Once you have submitted your reregistration form on beINvolved, Student Involvement and Leadership will review your form and either approve it or request changes. You will receive a confirmation email once it has been reviewed.
Your organization is only considered registered when your reregistration form is officially approved.
In addition to the electronic registration process on beINvolved, new organizations and select reregistering student organizations with inherent risk will meet with the Student Organization Registration Committee. Student organizations with inherent risk may be asked to fulfill additional registration requirements in order to minimize such risks and provide a safe involvement environment for all participants.
The Student Organization Registration Committee includes representatives from:
The committee meets with executive officers of the organization to learn about the activities of the organization and to determine the physical, emotional, financial, facility, and/or reputational risk that may be involved.
Student organizations are required to have at least five enrolled IU Bloomington students on their roster when registering for the first time and when reregistering.
IU faculty, staff, and local community members are welcome to join any student organization at IU Bloomington. However, only enrolled IU Bloomington students can serve as officers and/or access student organization services through Student Involvement and Leadership.
All student members must be listed on your organization’s beINvolved roster.
Indiana University Bloomington recognizes and supports the development of all student organizations. Self-Governed Student Organizations (SGSOs) are not departments or administrative units of Indiana University, and therefore the IU Legal Counsel requires all student groups who choose to use the Indiana University or IU name to clearly indicate in their organizational title, constitution, and paraphernalia that they are “at Indiana University.”
The purpose of this distinction is to ensure that outside organizations that do interact with student organizations are aware that their dealings are with the club or group and not with the university itself.
Student organizations may use Indiana University before the title or name of the group only if the organization receives money from the Committee for Fee Review, or upon approval by the dean of students.
The use of “Indiana,” “Hoosiers,” “Cream and Crimson,” and any other IU-related words and phrases are not permitted for use in Self-Governed Student Organization names. For a full list of IU trademarked words and phrases, see the Promotional Products Style Guide.
All student organizations must create and maintain a constitution. A constitution contains the fundamental principles which govern an organization's operation. The development of a constitution will serve to clarify your purpose and delineate your basic operating structure. It will also allow current and potential members to have a better understanding of what the organization is all about.
These clauses MUST appear exactly as written in EVERY student organization constitution:
The following clauses may also be required based on your organization's activities:
Register your organization on beINvolved, IU’s comprehensive student involvement database. This is where your organization will post events, manage rosters, keep an updated public profile, and reregister each year. You must be an enrolled IU Bloomington student to register and reregister your organization. Reregistration opens in March.
To create a Self-Governed Student Organization, complete the New Student Organization Registration Form online using your organization roster, constitution, and profile picture (if applicable). The form is available from the beginning of the Fall semester until March 1. Log in with your IU Login, click on “Organizations” in the left navigation menu, click on “Register an Organization,” and then click the blue “Register a new organization” button.
After you submit, you will receive an invitation to set up an advising appointment and start your registration process.
Club sports are Self-Governed Student Organizations organized by students and membership is open to the public, as long as students comprise the majority of the club’s membership. To start a new club sport or re-activate an inactive club sport, call 812-855-2371 or email clubsprt@iu.edu.
Learn more about club sportsUnlike Self-Governed Student Organizations, University Student Organizations (USOs) are more closely affiliated with a School or Department and operate as part of the University. Requests to create a new University Student Organization must originate from an IU Bloomington faculty or staff member. If you are a student looking to transition your SGSO to a USO, talk to your Advisor.
Department representatives may direct inquiries to the Student Involvement and Leadership Center at sil@iu.edu. To request USO status or establish a new USO, please complete the Request a USO form.
