6C7-5

UCF-5.0021 Student Government and Registered Student Organizations.

(1) Purpose.

(a) The University of Central Florida encourages its students to actively participate in

Student Government and Registered Student Organizations as a way of

complementing and extending the classroom experience. Participation in Student

Government and Registered Student Organizations is an integral part of the

overall University of Central Florida experience, because it provides opportunities

for students to network, to develop leadership skills, and to pursue social, civic,

recreational, and career interests.

(b) Student Government and Registered Student Organizations provide a valuable

service to the University community by promoting leadership development,

community spirit, activism, community service, and social and cultural

interaction. Student Government and Registered Student Organizations sponsor

conferences, seminars, lectures, debates, cultural and social events, and fine arts

programs. These activities allow UCF students to meet and interact with local,

state, nationally, and internationally renowned scholars, artists, politicians,

academicians, and other professionals. Student Government and Registered

Student Organization members spend countless volunteer hours each academic

year participating in service projects for campus and community efforts.

(2) Student Government.

(a) Student Government is the official representative of the student body of the

University of Central Florida and aims to represent student issues and concerns at

all levels of University decision making. However, Student Government must

operate with the recognition that the ultimate decision making authority for

University affairs rests with the University’s Board of Trustees, President or their

designees. The University exercises general oversight over all Student

Government activities and is involved in the Student Government budget process.

Student Government is subject to the policies, procedures, rules, and regulations

governing or promulgated by the University and/or the Florida Board of

Governors.

(b) Student Government may not act as an agent for the State of Florida or the

University of Central Florida. Student Government may not enter into agreements

or contracts which purport to bind the University for any purpose.

bylaws, student statutes, and other student legislative acts; may establish

appointed or elected student officer positions; and may recommend University

employment or personnel to carry out its functions. Any internal procedures

adopted by Student Government must be consistent with applicable law, UCF and

Florida Board of Governors’ policies and regulations, and must generally serve

the best interests of the UCF Student body. Internal procedures of Student

Government are not effective unless approved by University administration.

(d) Student Government is authorized to make recommendations to or through the

Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services concerning all

University policies, regulations, and operating procedures which significantly

affect students and further, is authorized to nominate students to serve on

University committees, councils, and boards, which have student membership or

representation.

(e) Through its own constitutional procedures and in accordance with Section

1009.24(10)(b), Florida Statutes, Student Government may determine the

allocation and expenditure of that portion of University fees fixed by law and

designated as Activity and Service Fees. The University must review the Activity

and Service Fee budget, and the President may veto any particular line item in the

budget.

(f) All Activity and Service Fees shall be maintained in accounts kept by the UCF

Finance and Accounting Office. All contracts and purchases on behalf of Student

Government shall be made in accordance with University rules, regulations, and

policies, and all appointments and payments of personnel shall be made in

accordance with University personnel and payment procedures.

(g) Student Government shall audit all accounts which receive and/or expend Activity

and Service Fees.

(h) At the end of each university fiscal year, unexpended Activity and Service Fees

shall revert to Student Government for reallocation in the subsequent fiscal year.

(3) Registered Student Organizations.

(a) Any student association, group, or organization other than the Student

Government Association is eligible for active registration as a Registered Student

Organization. Registration is contingent upon the review and recommendation of

the Office of Student Involvement, compliance with all registration requirements

(including academic requirements for members) and approval of the Student

Government Association and Associate Vice President for Student Development

and Enrollment Services or designee.

(b) Registration of a student organization by the University does not imply the

University’s support for the purpose, philosophy, or activities of the Registered

Student Organization. Registration of a student organization by the University

does not mean or imply that the Registered Student Organization has been granted

status as an entity or agent of the State of Florida or the University of Central

Florida. The University will not assume any legal liability for any student

organization’s activities. While faculty and staff members of the University serve

in advisory capacities to student organizations, it is presumed that students of

legal adult age are adults and, therefore, make and are accountable for their

decisions and behaviors as individuals and as members of the organization.

the Office of Student Involvement a list of UCF student members and their UCF

PID numbers, a list of all officers and their UCF PID numbers, the signature of all

officers and the faculty/staff advisor(s), and the organization’s constitution.

Proposed student organizations must have a minimum of twelve UCF student

members. Student membership exceptions apply to student organizations at

regional campuses, which need a minimum of eight student members, and, on a

case by case basis, to student organizations affiliated with a national governing

body, which need a minimum of four student members. A proposed student

organization with a mission/purpose that appears to duplicate that of an existing

organization may not be recognized. No student organization may be set up so

that any individual benefits monetarily from its existence. In seeking, securing

and maintaining the privilege to be registered, each student organization must

agree in writing to abide by all University policies, procedures, and regulations

and to hold harmless the University for any actions or activities of the

organization.

(d) Student Organizations registered by the University may be granted certain

privileges as established by Student Development and Enrollment Services. Such

privileges may include:

1. The privilege to use University facilities depending on availability,

program, and guidelines;

2. The privilege to request that Student Government allocate activity and

service fees to the organization, provided that the student organization

adheres to the internal procedures of Student Government;

3. The privilege to establish dues and sponsor money-raising projects;

4. The privilege to use the University’s name as part of the organization’s

name as per the Organizational Rules of Conduct;

5. The privilege to invite guest speakers to campus;

6. The privilege to grant awards and honors to organization members;

7. The privilege of access to campus for recruiting, fundraising, and

publicity;

8. The privilege of a free organizational email address and website;

9. The privilege of access to resources provided by University departments

and offices;

10. The privilege to apply for cubicle space on campus;

11. The privilege to program with Student Government Association agencies;

12. The privilege to participate, as a group, in University-sponsored events.

(e) Registered Student Organizations are subject to the Organizational Rules of

Conduct. Registered Student Organizations that violate the Organizational Rules

of Conduct are subject to disciplinary action. Such disciplinary action may

include:

1. Recommendation for Charter Revocation: An official request to a national

office that the local chapter’s charter be revoked.

2. Revocation of UCF Registration: Permanent severance of the

organization’s relationship with UCF.

3. Suspension of UCF Registration: Temporary severance of the

organization’s relationship with UCF for a specific period of time. The

period of time and any requirements that must be satisfied before re-

registration must be specified in the recommendation of the hearing body.

4. Probation: Temporary restrictions of certain activities on the part of the

organization as defined by the hearing body and/or an officially sanctioned

status of the organization whereas further violations of UCF policy could

result in suspension, revocation of registration, etc.

5. Warning: An official warning that the organization’s behavior is in

violation of UCF policies, and that if the organization is subsequently

found in violation of this policy, subsequent action may be more severe.

6. Restitution: Reimbursement for a loss caused by the organization’s

actions.

7. Community Service: Assignment to work a specific number of hours at a

community service agency or project.

8. Mediation: Official mediation between the organization and any offended

parties.

9. Restrictions: Restriction of some or all of the organization’s activities or

privileges, including, but not limited to, social activities, intramural

competition, organizational competition, Homecoming, etc.

10. Organizational Suspension: Suspension of all organization activities with

the exception of regular business meetings.

11. Required Educational Programs: Alcohol awareness programs, risk

management programs, etc. for a specified percentage of organizational

membership.

Authority: BOG Regulations 1.001 and 6.014. History–New 11-8-79, Amended 12-4-83, Formerly

6C7-5.021, Amended 4-23-03, 10-18-05, Formerly 6C7-5.0021, Amended 2-6-09, 7-2-13, 7-28-

16.