Student ActivitiesProposals for New RSOs

Proposals for new organizations will be considered in the beginning of the 2023 spring semester as denoted by the College Academic Calendar (January 30 - February 3). [This form will go live beginning January 31]

To register a new organization, please visit the Organizations page on The Hub. There will be a REGISTER AN ORGANIZATION button on the left side of the page. After clicking this button, there will be a Register New button at the bottom left of the page).

All proposals require a 15 min meeting [5min to present, 5-10min for Q/A) to be scheduled by the new New Org Proposal Committee, in conjunction with the Director of Student Activities and the AAS Judiciary Committee Chair, to discuss proposal criteria. This will be scheduled after receiving submission of your registration. 

Note: please review proposal criteria and sample documents below. 

Criteria for Consideration Include

1. Compliance with College student conduct policies
2. Non-duplication of the mission orientation and/or activities of an already established RSO
3. Concisely articulated objectives and goals of the proposed organization
4. Documented interest by at least ten students
5. Advisor support from a current faculty or staff member
6. Legitimate budgetary model by which the AAS and Student Activities can feasibly fund the organization's goals, projects, publications, and general annual costs (Sample completed budget here)
7. Objective plan for sustainability of the organization (i.e. ability to maintain active membership for three consecutive semesters)
8. Adherence to Student Activities' non-discrimination policy by which all students have equal access to the organization (consideration given to audition-only organizations allowing an opportunity for all students to audition)
9. Demonstrable benefit to the Amherst College community
10. Demonstrable need for recognition based on benefits provided to recognized organizations (e.g. room reservations, Student Activities funding [all students may access AAS Discretionary Funding regardless of organizational affiliation], transportation resources)
11. Successful completion of the New RSO approval process, including required meetings, documentation and orientation/training.

For the effective organization and vision of your organization, it is important to have a well thought out and articulated written constitution. This document will serve as a guiding resource for future members and is the foundation by which the organization operates. Your constitution should include the following sections:

• Name
• Purpose
• Goals
• Membership
• Officers and Duties
• Election Procedure
• Dispute Resolution Process
• Organization Advisor/Coach (optional)
• Method for Amending
• Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Hazing Policy