Starting a New Student Organization

Spring 2026 New Student Organization Development Process

Prior to beginning the process, students should explore currently recognized student organizations to ensure an organization with their intended purpose does not already exist. Students cannot begin a new organization during their first full semester enrolled at Furman. The new student organization development process will consist of multiple stages, as outlined below:

1. Application Period – January 12 – February 2, 2026

• • Students interested in establishing a new student organization must first attend a New Student Organization Information Session. This will consist of an overview of the process, expectations of organizations and leaders, and a brief constitution development workshop.
    • Students must use this form to RSVP to attend one of the following sessions – location will be emailed once student submits RSVP:
      • Thursday, January 15 at 12-12:45pm
      • Wednesday, January 21 at 2:30-3:15pm
      • Friday, January 30 at 2:30-3:15pm
  • After attending an Information Session, students must submit the New Student Organization Application on syncDIN by the February 2 application deadline. The application link will be sent to students after attending the Information Session. Applications must include:
    1. Organization constitution/bylaws following the Furman student organization constitution guidelines
    2. Advisor contact information for a full-time faculty/staff member
    3. Contact information for at least six (6) students committed to joining the organization – must identify at least two (2) executive officers to serve as president and treasurer
    4. Short answer questions:
       • How will your organization contribute to the Furman community?
       • What attributes and/or goals does your organization possess that differ from any similarly existing student organizations on Furman’s campus?

2. Consultation Meeting – will occur by February 20

• • The Director of Student Involvement will schedule a meeting with the applicant and advisor to discuss the application, constitution/bylaws, anticipated organization operations, and steps in the process; If the organization is applying for recognition within the Club Sports Council, Religious Council, or Student Diversity Council, representative(s) from that council will be included in the meeting
  • Any necessary revisions or updates must be submitted prior to the next step

3. Organization Review Board Approval – will occur by April 2

• • An Organization Review Board consisting of council advisors and student representatives, as well as members of the SGA Student Organization Committee will meet to review all organization applications; The committee will determine one of three potential outcomes: approve provisional status, deny provisional status, or request more information
  • Provisional organizations will be assigned to the most appropriate governing council

4. Organization Registration

• • Once approved to continue, the applicant will submit the new student organization registration on syncDIN
  • Organizations must identify two student leaders as president and treasurer and include all required information

5. Provisional Status – through at least the Fall 2026 semester

• • The provisional status will last for at least one full semester after the organization is established. If an organization has not met the minimum requirement after two full semesters, it will be moved to inactive status. While on provisional status, organizations will function similarly to active student organizations and meet all requirements of Furman and its respective governing council, including following all student organization policies. Additional requirements include:
    • The organization must demonstrate an effort to increase membership and/or presence on campus – this typically includes a minimum of 10 members plus a faculty/staff advisor
    • The organization will complete all required forms and attend all required leadership trainings
    • The president will meet with an OSI staff member as requested, typically at least once per semester
    • An initial budget of up to $500 per semester may be allocated to the organization if funding is requested; The organization will follow the same budget request process as active organizations through the SGA budget request process
    • The organization will have the same rights and responsibilities as fully recognized student organizations, as determined by OSI; OSI reserves the right to suspend activities or create additional requirements if the organization is not meeting expectations
    • The organization can apply for active organization status by completing the provisional review form; This will be reviewed and active status will be determined by OSI in conjunction with the SGA Student Organization Committee and appropriate governing council

6. Active Status

• • Once the organization submits the provisional review form, the Director of Student Involvement will review all aspects of the organization’s provisional period to determine if organization will be granted active status as a registered student organization
  • Once active, all student organizations must re-register each school year