The University of Nevada, Las Vegas defines a Registered Student Organization (RSO) as a group of five or more students actively enrolled at UNLV who share a common purpose or interest. A RSO is entirely operated and organized by actively enrolled students with the exception of a required full-time UNLV faculty or staff advisor. RSOs may also be members of other university-based communities that impose additional standards of conduct. RSOs shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability. The benefits of forming and becoming a member of a RSO are explained herein; however, you need to be aware there are certain matters that are not benefits. Please read the important details here.
The term Registered Student Organization (RSO) in this section shall also apply to the individual student members thereof. In summary, a RSO is not an agent, representative, or employee of UNLV. You are not permitted to act as an extension of UNLV. Therefore, along with any other relevant considerations you must contemplate the following:
- RSOs are not granted the non-profit nor tax-exempt statuses from UNLV. If an organization desires to be considered tax-exempt and/or non-profit, they must obtain at their own expense such status through the IRS or a national affiliation.
- RSOs receive no insurance coverage of any type from UNLV. UNLV makes no representation about the ability of a RSO to obtain any private insurance coverage. The ability to obtain any type of insurance coverage is at the sole discretion, expense and risk of the RSO.
- As an entity of the State of Nevada, UNLV is insured through the State of Nevada’s self-insurance program and is afforded limited liabilities as per the Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 41. You are not entitled to the coverage of this self-insurance program and the limited liabilities contained therein (i.e. among other matters you are not entitled to a defense or indemnification).you do not have any liability coverage of any type.
- UNLV is not responsible whatsoever for the contracts, indebtedness, obligations, and/or liabilities of a RSO. You are responsible for the same. You are not entitled to advice and/or representation from UNLV Office of General Counsel. You are required to obtain and pay for any necessary legal advice and/or representation. A RSO may be personally responsible for any damages from a lawsuit.
- You have no authority to enter into any type of contract (defined as a legal obligation of any type) that would bind UNLV. It is your duty and obligation to always make it clear to third parties any contract entered into is solely between them and your RSO (i.e. UNLV is not a party to the contract and is not responsible for the same).
UNLV established the goal of creating an inclusive and just community. The university strives to establish a spirit of community in accordance with high standards of academic excellence and freedom, institutional and individual integrity, and constitutional protections. Each member of the university, including student organizations, shares responsibility for maintaining conditions, conducive to the achievement of the university’s goals. The UNLV Student Conduct Code is designed to provide basic standards to ensure a means to fulfill its purpose.
Student groups seeking to establish a relationship with the university in order to have access to university, resources, facilities, services, and staff, can register with Student Involvement & Activities. See Registration & Management for further details.
Student groups will be registered and classified according to the policies outlined on this page, consistent with UNLV and to better serve the needs of the diverse array of student groups and to clarify the relationship between the student group and the university.
The information listed on the Get Involved – Student Organizations site is provided as a resource to help student group officers, members and advisors. While the Get Involved – Student Organizations site is intended to be a summary of matters of interest, it is not a comprehensive listing of all rules and regulations pertaining to student groups. Please be aware that university departments may have their own procedures and policies that apply to student groups, which are not listed on this site. The policies and rules outlined are intended, in part, to clarify the university’s relationship to registered student groups and to reflect the institution’s concerns and interest for promoting awareness, values, and responsible behavior. Individuals who are functioning in the capacity as officers or members of a registered student group will be held accountable for their conduct individually and collectively.
Student Involvement & Activities (SIA) advising staff is available to assist groups with questions and/or concerns. SIA serves the university as advisors, educators, and administrators for students and student groups in order to create and foster service, diversity, leadership, and involvement opportunities that enhance personal, interpersonal, and organizational development.
The student group registration process is how student groups maintain a relationship with the university, which allows them the ability to conduct activities at the university. Student group registration is administered through Student Involvement & Activities and is required annually, consisting of attending Registered Student Organization (RSO) mandatory meeting and submitting group documentation.
- Student groups that are registered with the UNLV have the ability to conduct activities at the University in accordance with established University policies and procedures.
- Student Involvement & Activities maintains an official file/record for the group to be housed in the UNLV Involvement Center for registered student organizations. Any information pertaining to the group’s registration, constitution, or classification status contained in the student organization’s file/record is considered public information.
- Student organizations register in one of the following classifications:
Default
A voluntary association comprised primarily of students that have no direct relationship to the university; but upon completion of the established registration process, have the ability to conduct activities on the UNLV campus.
Sports Club
In order to form a sports club, interested students must first apply to be a registered organization with Student Involvement & Activities. Through the registration process, the registered student organization may apply to be recognized as a Sports Club and report to Campus Recreational Services located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Once formally established as a sports club, the club can travel to compete and host events on campus.
Fraternity/Sorority
This classification includes all Fraternities or Sororities represented under one of the four governing councils (does not include honorary organizations). The four governing councils that oversee the operations of the individual Greek chapters and work closely with the university to promote the ideals of fraternity and sorority membership are:
Interfraternity Council (IFC)
The Interfraternity Council promotes opportunities for further development, expansion, and improvement of fraternity life and to support the efforts of its chapters in the pursuit of these improvements. IFC is also responsible for coordinating council-wide activities and educational programming and encourage harmonious inter-fraternity relations between the chapters.
Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)
The Multicultural Greek Council's purpose is to create and maintain high standards in the lives of fraternities and sororities by unifying organizations; promoting higher education; providing community services; and serving as a liaison among the multicultural Greek chapters, the university student body, and administration.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
The National Pan-Hellenic Council creates and maintains high standards in the life of fraternities and sororities by coordinating and developing community service projects, educational programming, and the promotion of student leadership.
Panhellenic Conference (PHC)
The Panhellenic Conference develops and maintains sorority life and inter-sorority relations at a high level of accomplishment. PHC also promotes superior scholarship, educational programming and leadership development.
This classification includes all new student organizations that have never registered as a student organization with Student Involvement & Activities.
All registered student groups must comply with the following minimum requirements:
Membership
All student groups must be initiated and controlled by currently registered UNLV students. Student groups must consist of at least five actively enrolled students at UNLV. Registered student organizations (RSO) cannot unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability.
Non-students may be involved in student groups, but may not comprise more than one-third (1/3) of the group’s membership, nor be a registered officer.
Officers
The required student officer/leadership positions in a Registered Student Organization (RSO) are a President (or equivalent title), Treasurer (or equivalent title), and at least one Scheduling Liaison*. Officers must be actively enrolled students at UNLV, in good standing with the university, and free of any sanctions defined within the Board of Regents Policy - Student Conduct Code administered by the Office for Student Conduct.
The Scheduling Liaison position is defined as the organization member(s) who are able to make on-campus space/marketing reservations on behalf of their organizations. The scheduling liaisons must be actively enrolled students at UNLV. These scheduling liaisons can be changed by contacting Student Involvement & Activities. Advisors may not serve as scheduling liaisons for their RSOs. Student Organizations are required to have at least one and no more than two Scheduling Liaisons.
Student group officers will assume personal responsibility and accountability for the operations and actions of the group. The structure of membership within the organization may be unique and determined by the collective members. If positions (offices, executive boards, directorships, etc.) or hierarchies are created, it is recommended that the registered student organization members collectively create a constitution to govern how, when and to whom responsibility will be delegated. Outlines for constitutions are available at the UNLV Involvement Center, on the SORCE page additional assistance is available in the Student Organization Resource Center (SORCE, Student Union 305).
While it is the responsibility of each member to stay informed of organization business and UNLV communications, it is highly suggested that the leadership within the organization creates an expectation for open communication with members and interested contacts.
(NOTE) Should it come to the attention of Student Involvement & Activities that a student or advisor no longer meets these outlined requirements, the student group will be denied registration or "locked" until the requirement is met. UNLV faculty/staff who advise multiple student groups as a part of their job responsibilities are exempt from this requirement.
Advisors
Every RSO must have a faculty/staff advisor at all times. This advisor must be employed by UNLV as a faculty or staff member. If there is a change in the advisor for a RSO, the organization profile must be updated immediately. This is located within the organization profile under profile. Accurate campus contact information must be provided for each advisor.The contact information of the advisor must be the UNLV office phone number and UNLV email address as this information will be published online. Do not provide personal cell phone and email addresses for faculty/staff advisors. Organizations that are affiliated with community or national entities may carry additional advisors, but must retain a full-time UNLV faculty or staff member.
Constitutions
A constitution defines the mission and purpose of a Registered Student Organization (RSO). These crucial governing documents define the organization’s operations and expectations and guide the decision-making process around the events and programs you offer, membership criteria, leadership, elections, and the overall direction of your RSO.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, all RSOs must submit a constitution for review by the Involvement team. Student organizations are expected to use the 2022-2023 academic year to write and refine their constitution. The Involvement team will provide multiple workshops and resources throughout the academic year to facilitate this process. Organizations that do not have a reviewed and accepted constitution will not be able to re-register in the 2023-2024 academic year.
Check out the Constitution & Bylaws page of our site for full details and to access the required constitution template.
Compliance
Student groups must comply with all university policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Members of RSOs are advised that the success of their involvement experience is largely based upon the effort and initiative taken by the individual member. It is the responsibility of all involved students to stay informed of RSO business and UNLV communication. This can mostly be accomplished through the use of the UNLV Involvement Center, organization calendar, message system and news updates.
Violation of these or other requirements constitute grounds for revocation of registration status and/or other sanctions, following established University procedures of due process to be administered by Student Involvement & Activities. Nothing in this policy should be construed to abridge the constitutional rights of students to freedom of speech, association, and free exercise of religion.