University Policies

APPROVAL OR REGISTRATION OF AND/OR SERVICE TO A GROUP

A. Educational Mission of USD

The University of San Diego is committed to the task of creating and maintaining an environment in which its members may pursue their individual development with freedom. As a Catholic institution the University of San Diego subscribes to the principle that the full development of the human personality can be accomplished only by the recognition of an objective moral order. While this places no obligation on community members with regard to their personal beliefs or religious practices, it does require of its members a tolerance and respect for Catholic beliefs and practices. While committed to the Catholic tradition, the University is also committed to academic freedom. The freedom essential to a community of scholars does not grant any individual or group, whether a member of this community or not, the license to conduct themselves in a manner that obstructs the University's defined identity and purpose.

B. University Approval of Student Government Organizations

University approval is granted to student government organizations whose leadership is elected by a student vote. These approved organizations become the official representative groups for undergraduates, graduates or law students. Student government organizations are allowed to assess fees to sustain their activities within the guidelines established by the University. Student government organizations are the only organizations which are officially approved by the University.

C. Registration of Student Organizations

Student organizations are allowed to organize and register, and subsequently receive the tangible benefits outlined in section D. These organizations may not describe themselves as approved by the University.

Organizations wishing to be registered with the appropriate student government will meet the following criteria:

1. The purpose of the organizations is legal.

2. Activities to be engaged in conform to University rules and regulations.

3. Activities to be engaged in are compatible with the educational goals of the University.

4. Activities to be engaged in are consistent with the moral and social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church and tradition of the University. (If there is a question about conformity with this criterion, the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee will decide the matter.)

D. Tangible University Benefits Granted When Student Organizations are Registered

1. Authorization to use the name, logo and/or facsimile of the seal of the University of San Diego after determination that such usage will not suggest approval by the University or constitute a violation of any provision of this policy;

2. Eligibility to use student or University media for advertising or dissemination of information;

3. Eligibility to set up or provide information at random or established locations on campus, either by display or by disseminating information;

4. Eligibility to use University administrative processes such as computer hardware or software, or mailing systems;

5. Authorization to reserve University space, services or equipment;

6. Eligibility for proportional representation in student government where appropriate;

7. Eligibility to seek authorization to raise funds, develop a program or sponsor an occasion to arouse awareness about a particular cause or utilize University communication processes to offer information about a particular cause, but only after determination that such authorization will not suggest approval by the University or constitute a violation of any provision of this policy;

8. Eligibility for other services provided by the University as determined by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee.

E. Procedures for Obtaining University Registration of an Organization

1. Application for registration to receive tangible University benefits is made through established channels of approved student governments, with notification to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.

2. Questions about conformity to criteria listed in section C and availability of tangible benefits listed in section D are resolved in consultation with or by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students or his/her designee.

3. Yearly re-application for registration to receive tangible University benefits is made through established review criteria of approved student governments.

4. Review of registered associations status may be required upon request of one of the student governments or the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students or his/her designee.

F. Groups which choose to exist informally and not become registered organizations are subject to basic standards of behavior. Those standards include, but are not limited to:

1. The group must be open, honest and clear about its purpose and goals for the organization in all of its advertising and publicity. The University reserves the right to inform community members of groups for which there is reasonable concern.

2. If the group represents a particular religious view, it must be in accord with Section C, paragraph 4 preceding. In addition, the following criteria must be met:

a. There will be no proselytization of any member of the University community.

b. There will be no denigration nor harassment permitted of any individual, group or organization of the University community.
G. Failure to Comply With a Decision about Obtaining Registered Status

The University reserves the right to impose internal sanctions or seek external relief for failure of a group to comply with the policy outlined above.

Students are advised to refer to the Student Organizations Handbook and Greek Guidelines for additional policies and procedures.