Chapter 4: Student Organizations
4.1 Policy Statement
Students, faculty, and staff seeking information and the processes and procedures relating to registered and sponsored student organizations are referred to The University of Texas at El Paso (University) Student Organization Handbook (Handbook). The Handbook contains the policies, rules, and procedures relating to student organizations at the University. The Handbook is available from the Student Engagement and Leadership Center or here: Handbook.
4.2 Rationale
The Handbook outlines how a student organization becomes registered on campus and maintains its status as a registered or sponsored student organization. The Handbook also reflects the related current policies and practices including the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System (UT System) and the University Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP).
4.3 Scope
The policy applies to student organizations, student organization advisors, and student organization members and leaders.
4.4 Responsibilities
4.4.1 Student Group requesting to become a Registered Student Organization.
To establish a new Registered Student Organization, the student group must complete the procedures/process found in the Handbook.
4.4.2 Student Organization registering as an existing Registered Student Organization.
To re-register as an existing Registered Student Organization, the student organization must complete the procedures/process found in the Handbook.
4.4.3 Student Organization registering as a Sponsored Student Organization.
To be considered a sponsored student organization, the student organization must complete the process outlined in the Sponsored Student Organization Approval Process section of the Handbook.
4.5 Procedures
In order to establish and maintain registration as a student organization, procedures are outlined in Annual Requirements for Student Organizations and must be followed and fully completed.
4.6 Forms and ONline Processes
4.6.1 All forms for new student organization registration can be found online here.
4.6.2 All forms for registering an existing student organization can be found online here.
4.7 Definitions
Committee: The Faculty Advisory Body on Student Welfare.
Faculty/Staff Advisor for Student Organizations: An advisor must be either a faculty member (not on Faculty Development Leave) or a staff member at the University. The faculty or staff member must be employed at the University at least part-time and in a benefits-eligible position. Unless it states otherwise in their job description on file with the Office of Human Resources, faculty and staff may only advise three student organizations.
Registered Student Organization: A separate, independent entity from University whose membership is composed of currently enrolled University students, or a combination of students, faculty, and staff, which has complied with the registration procedures to be officially registered (granted approval to operate on campus) by the University.
SELC: The acronym used to refer to the Student Engagement & Leadership Center.
Sponsored Student Organization: A registered student organization created by a University department or division to support the ongoing interests of the University community. A sponsored student organization is considered to be critical to the mission and culture of the University and is inherently linked to the University due to their role as University representatives; thus, a sponsored student organization is an integral part of the institution and routinely presents events for the University and surrounding community. A sponsored student organization has an advisor that is paid by the University to specifically advise the organization. To be considered a sponsored student organization, the University department or division representative must complete the process outlined in the University Student Organization Handbook.
Student: An individual who is currently enrolled at the University. It does not include persons who have previously graduated, attended the University, or who have been admitted but did not attend the University.
Student Organization Handbook: The document outlines many of the rights and responsibilities of registered student organizations at the University.
4.8 References
Student Engagement and Leadership Center, Student Organization Handbook
4.9 Dates Approved or Updated
April 27, 2026
December 20, 2021