Looking to start a new student organization at LSC-North Harris? Follow the steps below to find out more!

First and foremost, Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are for students. They should be driven by students based on their interests and needs. 

Basic Requirements

1. One (1) Full-time or Part-time* faculty or staff advisor(s) – Committed to serve in a voluntary capacity to a registered Student Organization and it’s members, is at least 21 years old, and not a current student at the College. Ensure compliance with LSCS policies/procedures. *Part-time employees must be authorized by a college president to serve in the appointed, volunteer capacity.
2. Constitution – Must be approved by the Director of Student Life. A sample constitution is available for new RSOs to consult when creating a constitution for their club.
3. Minimum of two (2) currently registered students – Must be enrolled in at least one class at the campus the club will be registered and in good standing with the college. Must be committed to joining as active members.
4. One (1) Student Org Rep (SOR)/Officer - at least one of the student members must be designated as the SOR. The SOR serves in the capacity of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, or similar position.
5. Proposed Name – Must have an appropriate, unique, meaningful name for the RSO.

Groups can meet informally while working to gather and document these requirements

Application & Approval Process

1. A Currently Enrolled LSC-North Harris Student submits the Emerging RSO Interest Form.
2. Director of Student Life reviews interest form submission and schedules a meeting with the proposed officers and advisors.
3. The first draft of the constitution is submitted to the Director of Student Life for review and feedback. Frequently drafts go back and forth between Student Engagement and proposed organization before a final copy is approved. You can find a sample constitution template at bit.ly/RSOConstitution
4. The Director of Student Life receives, reviews, and bundles all documents. Documents are submitted as a packet to SGA Exec Board.
5. The proposed organization will be invited to present their proposal at the next SGA General Meeting. The SGA attendees will vote on the proposed organization.
6. The Director of Student Life notifies officers and advisor(s) for proposed RSOs of the vote outcome.
7. Newly approved RSOs have a probationary period of one year and will receive up to $700 to begin building the organization ($350 if the organization is formed in the spring semester).
8. A new budget number will be created for the club. The group should immediately begin fulfilling the annual RSO requirements (Officer & Advisor Agreement Form, Risk Management Training, Annual Registration, Member Roster, etc.)

When considering approval of a new student organization, Student Engagement will consider the following:

1. Have all documents been collected, and are all of the basic requirements met?
2. Is there a need for the proposed organization to enhance student experience at LSC-North Harris?
3. Would the organization duplicate the mission, goals, and purposes of any other recognized RSOs at LSC-North Harris?
4. Does the proposed organization align with the mission and goals of the Lone Star College System?
5. Would the organization allow any current student at LSC-North Harris to participate, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or disability?
6. Would membership and decision making privileges in the RSO be limited to currently enrolled LSC students?
7. Would the organization, if approved, violate reasonable LSCS and LSC-North Harris rules, disrupt classes, or interfere with the opportunity of other students to obtain an education?
8. Would the organization, if approved, pose a threat to the safety of others or a threat of damage or destruction to the System or College?

Organizations that will not be considered. The creation of the student organization cannot violate federal, state, or local law, or the College’s Board Policy Manual. The College will not consider the applications of organizations engaged in the following activities:

• Extreme Risk. Organizations engaging in activities that pose an extreme level of health and safety risk to participants and others or activities that pose a risk of damage to public or private property will not be considered.
• Service Providers. Organizations providing services more appropriately provided by college offices and academic departments, government agencies, private sector, health and mental health agencies, legal and financial investment firms, and emergency response agencies will not be considered.
• For-profits, Non-profits. Organizations incorporated as for-profit businesses or non-profit organizations will not be considered.
• Investment, Lending Clubs. Organizations engaging in the investment and/or lending of funds, digital currency, microfinance/microcredit, and solidarity lending services will not be considered.
• Social Drinking or Smoking Clubs. Organizations that will engage in activities focused on the consumption of alcohol or use of tobacco or similar products will not be considered.

The Office of Student Engagement and Student Government Association will remain issue-neutral in the approval process, meaning that we will not deny recognition of a registered student organization based on the views expressed by the group.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact NH-StudentLife@Lonestar.edu.

This process is developed based on LSC Board Policy section VI.D.13. Student Organizations and Section VI.D.13. Student Organizations Chancellor’s Procedures