Student Organizations

We are always excited about new clubs and organizations starting at Virginia Tech. All new organizations will be created as Registered Student Organizations (RSO).

If you are interested in starting a new organization, please go to GobblerConnect to review existing organizations. If you do not see any existing organizations with the same purpose, read through the steps below. New organizations are required to have a minimum of five founding members and a unique mission or purpose to complete the New Organization Recognition Process.

For the most up to date information about the new organization recognition process, please check out the New Organization Recognition page on the Student Org Resource Library.

Each spring, Student Engagement and Campus Life requires all currently recognized student organizations to complete registration requirements to ensure you are aware of updates to policy and processes, to familiarize your new leadership with resources for student organizations, and to update our records with accurate information about all student organizations.

Compliance Requirements

• Registration Forms: Each spring, Student Engagement and Campus Life requires all currently recognized student organizations to complete registration requirements to ensure you are aware of updates to policy and processes, and to update our records with accurate information about all student organizations.
• Organization Foundations: Each fall, student organizations must send a representative to the Organization Foundations in-person training to review organization resources, including space reservations and funding opportunities. This requirement ensures incoming leadership receives the information they need to operate their student organization.
• Organization Development: Each academic year, student organizations must meet the Organization Development requirement by reporting an internal program, attending an open training, or completing a consultation. This requirement ensures the student organization experience is consistently developmental.

All compliance requirements are communicated regularly through emails to listed officers. Organizations can check their current status on the Compliance Hub.

We have four different types of student organizations at Virginia Tech. Each plays a crucial and unique role in helping to build our campus community. Check out the following definitions to see the differences:

• Registered Student Organization (RSO): a voluntary association of Virginia Tech students that has no direct relationship to the university but upon completion of registration documents is entitled to certain privileges to include operating, meeting, advertising, and participating in activities on the Virginia Tech campus.
  
• University Chartered Student Organization (UCSO): an organization comprised primarily of students but which, by constitutional design, has a specifically established direct relationship to the university. This relationship includes, but is not limited to, policy review, special programs, governance, and paid faculty/staff advisers/coaches.
• University Student Life Program (USLP): an organization comprised primarily or exclusively of students whose activities, operations, and decision making processes are directly governed by academic or administrative departments and for which the university is ultimately responsible.
• Extended Campus Student Organization (ECSO): a voluntary association of Virginia Tech students at an extended campus location that has no direct relationship to the university but upon completion of registration documents with its extended campus center and receipt of those documents by the Student Activities Office is entitled, pursuant to policies established at its extended campus center, to certain privileges which may include operating, meeting, advertising, and participating in activities on its Virginia Tech extended campus.

Officially recognized organizations shall have the privilege to conduct activities on the campus of Virginia Tech in accordance with established policies and procedures, as outlined in the Good Standing Policy.

Our staff would love to help your organization grow and be successful! If you’re interested in talking to someone from the Student Organization Development team about topics such as conflict management, goal setting or branding, please refer to our Bookings page to set up an appointment.

We also encourage you to stop by The Source when it’s open or email thesource@vt.edu if you have specific student organization questions.

The Org Resource Library

The Org Resource Library is a digital landing space for students to find information on guides, tips, and best practices to help student organizations be successful. This library will continue to grow and evolve as new resources are added. If you have ideas for future resources or any questions about The Org Resource Library, email The Source at thesource@vt.edu.