Getting an Existing Group Re-Recognized

Student groups must re-apply for Student Senate recognition every Fall. If a group does not apply by the deadline, its Student Services funds will be temporarily frozen. If a group does not apply by the end of the subsequent fall semester, its funds will be permanently returned to the Senate treasury. If you were affiliated with a student group that does not intend to seek re-recognition this year, please let us know at [email protected].

The submission deadline is the Friday after fall classes begin. However, we would appreciate early submissions, so that we know how to directly contact your treasurer. If you have any questions regarding recognition, please email the Student Senate Parliamentarian. Make sure that your leadership knows to comply with Section VI of the Student Senate bylaws (in particular VI.B and VI.D), Student Services' Student Organization Handbook, and your group’s own constitution. Then complete the necessary paperwork. 

Remember that all emails sent to your listserv must include a footer with the following text:

You are receiving this email because you opted in to the list serve for <insert group name here>. To subscribe/unsubscribe from club emails please visit Lawnet, Manage Student Group Memberships

Please fill out the linked form with the following information:

  1. Ensuring defunct organization 
  2. Point of Contact Information
  3. A list of at least 12 active members (name, class years, UNI & email addresses). Please identify OFFICERS by title, especially those responsible for finances and record keeping.  A president and a treasurer are required.
  4. A suitable constitution in both PDF and Word doc. format. PLEASE title the constitutions ORGNAME_CONSTITUTION_YEAR (e.g. SENATE_CONSTITUTION_2023)

According to the Senate’s bylaws (VI.B.2), your Constitution and/or bylaws MUST contain the following:

A. The organization’s name,

B. A clear statement of the organization's purpose,

C. The requirements for membership and leadership,

D. The procedure for selecting and removing leadership,

E. The duties of leadership,

F. The procedure for arriving at decisions (e.g., majority voting), and

G. The Senate’s Nondiscrimination Policy (bylaws VI.B.5). This is VERY IMPORTANT; the language must be included VERBATIM, or by section reference to the Senate's by-laws. The Senate will make no exceptions to this requirement, which was added in 2008 when an organization was accused of discriminating on the basis of religious affiliation.

Please find a blank example constitution here. 

Responsibilities of Running a Student Group

1. Membership must be open to AND limited to all law school students.

2. Your spending will be audited by the Student Senate Budget Committee.

3. Leaders must also be members of the organization.

4. Recognized organizations may not be officially subject to another University authority (e.g., no Law School chapters of Business School organizations).

5. Recognition may be withdrawn for violation of the Student Senate Constitution/By-Laws, any other University or Law School regulation, or your group's own constitution/by-laws.