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How to Start a Student Organization

Students who want to start a new student organization at Vanderbilt need to complete a registration form. The registration process serves to provide current information to Student Activities and the University population at large. Organizations are encouraged to examine their missions and memberships and to set goals for the academic year.

Student organizations are required to provide a current constitution each year. The copy of the constitution must accompany the signature page at the end of the registration form (a pdf document). Each organization must receive approval from the Office of Student Organizations in order to be considered a Vanderbilt organization and to receive the following services:

Use of the Vanderbilt name to identify institutional affiliation
Use of University meeting rooms and facilities
Opportunity to use office space and equipment in Sarratt Student Center
Use of the Vanderbilt accounting system
Listserves, groupmail, and URL's administered by the University
Free organizational consulting and training by University administrators

In addition, student organizations must have officers and advisers. Officers must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and may not be on academic or disciplinary probation. Officers must be full-time registered students as defined by their colleges or schools. Advisers must be faculty or staff who are full-time, permanent employees of the University.

If you'd like more information about starting a new student organization at Vanderbilt, please call the Office of Student Organizations at 322-2471.