Student Organizations

I. Policy Statement 

The University of New Hampshire recognizes that organized student groups are a valuable part of the educational environment. Student organizations further the University's educational mission and are expected to make positive contributions to the intellectual and social development of their members, complement the University's mission, and comply with all applicable campus policies, rules, and regulations, as well as federal, state, and local laws. 

Recognition by the University shall not be construed as agreement, support, or approval of an organization's views or activities, but only as recognition of the organization's right to exist at the University, subject to established conditions. 

II. Scope and Application 

This policy applies to student organizations that have obtained official university recognition at the University of New Hampshire and its component campuses. Only student groups that have met the requirements for recognition are afforded the benefits, privileges, or protections of this policy. The University does not exercise control, supervision, or responsibility for the activities of unrecognized organizations. 

The University acknowledges the right of individual students and groups of students to assemble peacefully on campus for any lawful purpose. The University may impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on the exercise of this right to ensure that the essential operation of the University and the rights and welfare of other community members are not impaired, as described in the Freedom of Expression and Guidelines on Peaceful Dissent Policy. 

III. Terms and Definitions 

Benefit – A foundational service or resource that supports basic organizational operations, student development, and the University's educational mission. Benefits are provided to enable organizations to exist, function, and serve their members as part of the co-curricular experience. 

Curriculum-Based Groups - Groups whose subject matter is taught in regularly offered courses, whose participation is required for coursework, or whose participation results in academic credit. These groups should be administered by their respective academic departments and are not eligible for student organization recognition. 

Member – A currently enrolled UNH student listed on the organization's official roster who participates in organizational activities and is eligible to vote on and participate in organizational business. All membership qualifications beyond this baseline are defined by the individual organization in its approved constitution. 

Membership in a student organization is limited to students enrolled at the campus with which the organization is affiliated. Fraternities and sororities are limited to undergraduate, degree-seeking students enrolled at UNH unless their national Headquarters provides documentation to the University that they also accept graduate, degree-seeking students. Sport clubs may include faculty, staff, and community members at the discretion of the student membership. 

Students on a self-directed leave from the University, whether temporary or permanent, lose their membership status and all associated privileges for the duration of their leave. Student organizations may invite students on self-directed leave to participate as guests. Students on disciplinary leave may not participate in any capacity. Work completed by a guest on leave may require a volunteer agreement and may be subject to a background check. 

Privilege – A resource, opportunity, or institutional support that enables expanded activities beyond basic operations. Privileges carry increased institutional responsibility, resource allocation, risk, or policy compliance complexity. Access to privileges may be contingent on additional training requirements and, in some cases, may be limited if there are concerns with an organization’s conduct or use of privileges. 

Student Organization – A group whose primary membership consists of currently enrolled UNH students, that is directed by students, that is formed to contribute to students' personal and professional development; and that has complied with all requirements for recognition. 

Fraternity or Sorority – A student organization whose mission, principles, and values are primarily social in nature, chartered or in the process of being chartered by a national organization, and in good standing with that organization. One locally chartered organization has been grandfathered under this policy. No new exceptions for locally chartered organizations will be considered going forward. A fraternity or sorority must be a member of the appropriate governing council at UNH. 

Sport Club – A student organization that exists to promote and develop interest in a particular sport or physical activity and may be instructional, recreational, or competitive in nature. Sport clubs are primarily comprised of students who direct, operate, and are responsible for the organization. Sport clubs may represent the University in intercollegiate competition or conduct intra-club activities. Some competitive sport clubs have specific membership eligibility guidelines set by the respective sport governing body. 

Recognition – The process by which student organizations register to achieve or renew university-wide recognition. 

University Recognizing Agent – A university department or student governing body authorized to assist with the recognition process and to act as a liaison for compliance with applicable university policies. 

IV. University Recognizing Agents and Classifications 

The Office of Student Engagement and Belonging is the Primary University Recognizing Agent on the Durham campus for student organizations and delegates authority for organizations that fall into one of the subtypes described below. 

Durham Campus — By Organization Type 

Campus Recreation is the official Recognizing Agent for Sport Clubs. 

Component Campuses 

The following offices serve as Recognizing Agents for student organizations at their respective campuses. Component campuses may recognize organizations that are duplicative of organizations recognized on the Durham campus.

V. Eligibility and Process for Recognition 

To be eligible for recognition, a student organization must meet the following criteria:

  • Be established for purposes consistent with the broad educational mission of the University.
  • Be primarily directed by and composed of currently enrolled, degree-seeking students.
  • Exist primarily to provide co-curricular experiences to its members. Organizations whose primary function is to provide monetary compensation or academic credit to participating students are not eligible for recognition.
  • Not duplicate the primary purpose of an existing recognized organization, unless there is a demonstrated need or a distinct student population served. 

Recognition is determined by assessing the student organization's relationship to the University, the purpose and scope of its activities, the university population served, potential duplication of an existing student organization, and the perceived potential risk to participants and the University. 

Recognized student organizations that propose substantive changes to their mission, purpose, or primary activities must seek approval through the established recognition process and timelines of the appropriate University Recognizing Agent. Substantive changes include, but are not limited to, changes that significantly alter the organization’s stated purpose or scope of activities. 

If a student group has been denied recognition, the decision may be appealed to the University Recognizing Agent's department leader. If the Recognizing Agent is the department leader, the decision may be appealed to the Dean of Students. 

Durham Campus and College of Professional Studies 

Applications for recognition open the day after University Day in the fall semester and close on November 15th. Organizations that complete all recognition prerequisites by the established deadline will be invited to attend a required recognition meeting held during the last week of January. Recognition is granted at the beginning of February, and recognized organizations may begin full operations in the spring semester. Groups seeking recognition that miss any of the requirements or deadlines will not be eligible to seek recognition again until the following recognition cycle.  

Recognition for Fraternities and Sororities will follow their recognition, expansion, extension, and accreditation processes and timelines as outlined in each organization's return or expansion agreement.  

Recognition prerequisites are determined by the recognizing agent and may differ depending on the campus. Students attending the College of Professional Studies Online Campus may speak with the Coordinator of Student Involvement about applying for recognition or joining an on-campus organization. 

Franklin Pierce School of Law 

Students enrolled at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law shall follow the processes and procedures for student organizations as outlined by the Student Bar Association. 

VI. Rights, Benefits, and Privileges 

Recognized student organizations are entitled to the following benefits and privileges, subject to all other relevant University policies. Only recognized student organizations and student governing bodies may access the following: 

Benefits

  • Advising and consulting support from the designated recognizing agent or other supporting departments
  • Use of organizational management software for promotion, recruitment, and administrative processes
  • University-sanctioned organization recruitment opportunities such as University Day
  • Use of the University name, logo, and trademark in accordance with established protocols
  • Print materials for meetings and programs
  • Use of virtual advertising resources such as Pandora Net and Catalyst 

Privileges

  • Establishing Specific Purpose (SP) funds through Finance
  • Opening and maintaining gift (GF) funds through University Advancement
  • Reserving campus facilities and spaces through approved reservation systems
  • Requesting funding from university sources
  • Participating in major campus events and programming
  • University insurance coverage when applicable
  • Booking support for organizational travel 

Organizations that lose or fail to maintain recognition status will lose these benefits and privileges until recognition is restored. 

College of Professional Studies — Additional Privileges 

  • A designated amount of funding per semester as determined by the Office of Student Engagement 
  • Ability to request additional funding from the Office of Student Engagement 

VII. Universal Student Organization Obligations 

All recognized student organizations must comply with the following rules, responsibilities, and obligations. The University may take action and employ a range of measures for organizations that fail to abide by these responsibilities, up to and including loss of recognition. 

Compliance with Law and University Policies 

  • Student organizations must adhere to local, state, and federal law and comply with all UNH regulations, guidelines, and policies, including the University's prohibition on hazing.
  • No student organization may adopt or maintain a constitution or bylaw that conflicts with the Student Code of Conduct or University policy.
    • Exception: Title IX does not apply to the membership practices of social fraternities and sororities exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (20 U.S.C. § 1681(a)(6)(A); 34 C.F.R. § 106.14).
  • Each organization is required to exercise responsible management and financial integrity.
  • Student organizations must maintain recognition through one primary approved University Recognizing Agent.
  • Student organizations must appoint a UNH-employed staff or faculty advisor.
  • Student organizations are prohibited from signing contracts, commitments, or invoices on behalf of the University.
  • Student organizations must maintain a current and approved organizational constitution. Constitutions must be reviewed and updated at a cadence determined by the designated recognizing agent.
  • Student organizations must keep organizational rosters and officer information current in the applicable organizational management system.
  • Student organizations may not fundraise or use University funds for the financial gain of individual members.
  • Student organizations must clearly identify the organization as the sponsor on all announcements, flyers, social media posts, and other promotional materials.
  • Student organizations must register any plans for off-campus travel with the respective recognizing agent. Student organization travel is defined as an off-campus outing in which members represent or could be perceived as representing the University. 

Alcohol, Nicotine, and Other Drugs 

  • Student organizations are prohibited from using personal or organizational funds to purchase alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs for any organizational meeting, event, or sponsored activity.
  • With the exception of fraternities and sororities hosting gatherings in adherence to the Fraternity & Sorority Social Policy, student organizations may not promote, host, or co-sponsor events where alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs are given away, sold, or provided. 

Membership 

  • Student organizations must hold members accountable to the organization's governing documents.
  • Student organizations must conduct fair elections and appointments of officers.
  • Student organizations must permit members to disassociate from the organization at any time.
  • Fraternities and Sororities must establish recruitment, intake, and selection processes that are selective in nature, with initiation practices dictated by the national organization. 

VIII. Disciplinary Process and Remedial Sanctions 

The University may respond to organizational policy violations through a range of measures designed to be proportional, educational, and appropriate to the nature and severity of the conduct.  

Under the oversight of the Office of Community Standards, the designated recognizing agent is responsible for addressing group misconduct for their respective organizations. Under the oversight of the Office of Community Standards, matters where organizations may lose recognition or be placed on University Probation due to disciplinary violations shall be resolved through the procedures outlined in the Code of Conduct.  

More information on these procedures and potential sanctions can be found in the Code of Conduct.  

IX. Student Governance 

The following student governance bodies, in conjunction with the respective recognizing agent, inform and support the function and operation of student organizations. These bodies are elected student bodies that participate in the shared governance of the institution and serve as official representatives of student opinion for the constituencies they serve.

  • Durham 
    • Student Senate
    • Graduate Student Senate
    • Interfraternity Council
    • Panhellenic Council
  • Franklin Pierce School of Law
    • Student Bar Association