New & Reactivating
Student Organization Requirements

A New or Reactivating Student Organization may not be duplicative of an existing student organization, To ensure, review the List of Currently Active Student Organizations and determine whether another registered student organization already serves the same purpose or offers similar activities.

New groups are expected to demonstrate a unique mission or approach rather than duplicating an existing organization.
If your interests overlap with another group, think about how you can differentiate your purpose or collaborate to strengthen shared goals.

A New or Reactivating Student Organization application must be submitted by a student leader.

Departmental Student Organizations are the only exception. Faculty/Staff Advisors may submit the application for Departmental Student Organizations.

A New or Reactivating Student Organization should have a minimum of ten (10) student members. This may include the organizations officers and general members, however this does not include the organization's advisor.

A Membership Exemption may be requested. If pursuing a Membership Exemption please consider the following:

• Purpose of Registration
  • Do you need official registration to compete or participate in national conferences, competitions, or events?
  • Is registration necessary to access specific funding sources or reserve large spaces such as the Student Center or academic classrooms?
• Membership Barriers
  • What challenges are preventing you from reaching the required 10 members?
  • Are these barriers concrete and unavoidable (e.g., niche field, seasonal participation), or are they based on perception or timing?

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The organization must have a President, Treasurer, Chief Social Media Officer, and Advisor. The President, Treasurer, and Chief Social Media Officer must be DePaul students. The Advisor must be a DePaul Faculty/Staff Member.

A New or Reactivating Student Organization's Group Type and Categories must align with the organization's mission, goals, events etc. Review and determine the correct/appropriate Group Type and Categories for the Proposed Student Organization.

Details regarding Group Types & Categories can be found on the Group Types & Categories Resource Page.

A New or Reactivating Student Organization Constitution must include all components listed in the Constitution Guidelines and be formatted as a constitution.

Constitutions must be equitable and fair, and language must align with Student Organization Directives and University Policy.

Review the Constitution Guidelines and Sample Constitution for assistance in ensuring the Constitution Requirements are met.

A New or Reactivating Student Organization Registration application must include the following:

• Mission: Your student organization mission should clearly show how your organization connects to DePaul’s Mission and Values and capture the essence of your organization's purpose, reflect your unique identity, and show how you contribute to DePaul's legacy of preparing graduates to be leaders, and agents of positive change. When writing your mission statement and completing the application, consider:
  • How does your organization contribute to the personal and professional growth of its members?In what ways do you foster inclusivity, respect, and community?
  • In what ways do you foster inclusivity, respect, and community?How do your activities connect to the broader DePaul and Chicago communities?
  • How do your activities connect to the broader DePaul and Chicago communities?
  • How might your group address current social, cultural, or environmental challenges?

• Membership Benefits: Your student organization membership benefits should list what a member of your organization can expect to receive as a member of the organization. This may include but not limited to, leadership experience, community of like-minded individuals, personal development, access to a professional network etc.
• Goals: Your student organization goals should reflect what your organization intends to work through and execute generally as a student organization, annually through meetings or programs, and/or regularly as members.
• Contact Information & Social Networks: Provide the organization's email, website, and any social media accounts, if applicable.
• Officer Listing: Use the template provided in the form to submit a list of all of the officers of your student organization. Please provide Name, Email Address, and Title for each officer. Please ensure the officers provided on this list align with the officers listed in the organization constitution.
• Election & Transition Month: Provide the month in which your organization will have officer elections and when formal officer transitions will take place.
• GPA Requirement: Will your organization have a GPA requirement? If so, what is the minimum GPA to be a member?
• Dues Requirement: Will your organization require Dues payment? If so, what is the annual amount?
• Process for Joining: Provide the steps a non-member will/should take in order to become a member of your organization.
  • Is your membership process fair, clearly explained, and consistent with the expectations outlined in the Constitution Guidelines?
  • Have you demonstrated that your procedures are intentional and well thought out?
• Recruitment & Retention Efforts: Provide the plan your organization intends to execute to ensure your New or Reactivating student organization maintains membership and is sustainable long-term.
  • Have you created a realistic plan for how you will recruit and retain members beyond the first year?
  • If you intend to finalize details only after approval, have you shown through the rest of your application that your team is organized enough to develop these plans promptly?
  • Have you clearly communicated how the organization will sustain itself long-term—financially, operationally, and in membership?
  • Do these plans align with the membership structure described in your constitution?

A New or Reactivating Student Organization Name and Logo must abide by the University Trademark Guidelines.

A Student Organization Name May Not Include "DePaul" or "DePaul University" in a Manner that in Any Way Would Constitute an Endorsement, Approval, or Underwriting of any Organization, Product, Activity, Service, or Contract by DePaul University.

A Student Organization Logo Cannot Use University Seals, College or Athletics Marks, or Logos in Any Capacity, Except for Club Sports Who Have a Specific Version of the Athletic Logo They May Use.

If a New or Reactivating Student Organization is a Club Sport, Religious & Spiritual, or Fraternity & Sorority Life Group Type, additional information will be required in the New & Reactivating Student Organization Registration application.