Resources for Student Organizations
Student Organizations Manual Policies
Student Organizations Server Tech Parents Annual Fund
Michigan Tech Fleet Services Fast Fact Sheets
Risk Management Policy
Student Organizations Manual (download pdf)
The Student Organizations Manual is a near-comprehensive document to assist and direct the leadership of a student organization. Click here to download the PDF version, or pick up a hard copy from Carol Janisse in
  • Contents
  • 05 Overview of Manual
  • 06 Student Life
  • 09 Student Organization Checklist
  • 10 Developing a Great Organization
  • 11 Recruitment
  • 14 Registration
  • 14 Student Organization Registration Policy
  • 14 Timeline for Registering a Student Organization
  • 15 Benefits and Privileges of Being Registered
  • 15 Constitution Requirements
  • 16 Constitution Outline
  • 18 Membership Types and Voting
  • 23 Meetings
  • 23 Running an Effective Meeting
  • 23 Suggested Order of Events
  • 24 Suggested Format for Minutes
  • 25 Elections
  • 26 Organization Funds
  • 26 Dues
  • 26 Requesting Funding from the Student Activity Fee
  • 27 Reserve Fund
  • 27 Opportunities Fund
  • 28 Tech Parents Annual Fund
  • 28 Sponsorship
  • 28 Fundraising Ideas
  • 29 Raffle Rules
  • 30 Activities
  • 30 Planning
  • 30 Promoting
  • 31 Production
  • 31 Evaluating
  • 32 University Traditions
  • 32 K-Day
  • 32 Parade of Nations
  • 32 Family Weekend
  • 32 Homecoming
  • 33 Winter Carnival
  • 33 Spring Fling
  • 37 Development
  • 37 Planning a Retreat
  • 38 Leadership Retreats
  • 39 Transitioning Between Leadership
  • 40 Recognition (Awards)
  • 43 Marketing (Appendix A)
  • 43 Table Tents
  • 43 EDS
  • 44 MTU Bull
  • 45 Advertising in the Lode
  • 46 Posting in Buildings on Campus
  • 47 200 Promotional Ideas to Get You Started
  • 54 Quick Design Guide
  • 57 Sample Constitution (Appendix B)
  • 61 Introduction to Robert's Rules of Order (Appendix C)
  • 65 Motions Chart (Appendix D)
  • 67 Icebreakers and Warm Ups (Appendix E)
  • 71 Student Activity Fee Request Budget Template (Appendix F)
  • 73 Reserve Fund Request Form (Appendix G)
  • 75 Opportunities Fund Request Form (Appendix H)
  • 77 Tech Parents Annual Fund Policy and Request (Appendix I)
  • 79 TECH Course Reservation (Appendix J)
  • 81 Student Organizations Office (Appendix K)
  • 83 Fast Fact Sheets (Appendix L)
  • 83 Brainstorming
  • 84 Student Organization Checklist
  • 85 ABC's of Programming
  • 87 Effective Persuasion
  • 88 How to Write a News Release for a Student Organization
  • 89 How to Write a News Release to Send to a Person's Local Newspaper
  • 91 Community Service
  • 93 The Art of Delegating
  • 95 Planning a Retreat
  • 97 Effective Time Management
  • 99 Fund-Raising Guidelines for Registered Student Organizations
  • 101 Developing a Great Organization
  • 103 Backwards Planning
  • 104 So You Want to Have a Raffle
  • 105 Leadership Transition
  • 107 Non-Hazing Statement (Appendix M)
  • 109 University Disciplinary Policy (Appendix N)
Policies
Student organizations may need to be aware of the following policies. Posting information is also available in the Student Organizations Manual. Talk to the office of Student Activities if you have any questions.
Student Organizations Server
Funded and run by the Undergraduate Student Government, the Student Organizations Server provides web hosting for Student Organizations. Many organizations choose to host their websites on the SOS. To request web space for your organization, visit the web space request form. If you have questions about the SOS, contact the USG.
Tech Parents Annual Fund (link)
The Tech Parents Annual Fund, administered through First-Year Programs, was instituted in 1998 in an effort to support student organizations. Registered student organizations may request money from the fund if they have an event that falls outside their normal budget. See the policy and request forms for more detail.
Michigan Tech Fleet Services
Organizations going on long trips or in the need of large amounts of transportation may request to use one of the university's 45 vehicles. The fleet services website has information on rates, policies, and types of vehicles available. Requests may be filed online at that site. The Student Organizations Office in MUB 106 also has paper forms.
Fast Fact Sheets
These sheets are a great way to learn a little bit about each topic quickly. Hard copies of these sheets can also be found in the Student Organizations Office, MUB 106.
Risk Management Policy - Alcohol, Memorial Union & Dining Services
Student Organizations that hold events on campus where alcohol is present must complete a risk management plan and submit it to the Student Activities Office for review and approval one week before the event to ensure safety.

There are several approaches to risk management plans that the Student Activities Office and the Memorial Union suggest for Student Organization used (listed below). The size of thr event and who will be in attendance, play a large role in which plan an organization should follow.

Risk Management Plan Options

Identification

Smaller groups may choose to submit a list of names to the bartender and introduce those under 21 years of age in attendance to the bartender.. Two people from the sponsoring group should be designated as responsible for watching to ensure that no under-age drinking occur. This plan does not work with large groups.

Stamps and Wristbands

For any size group, but especially for larger groups, stamps and wristbands can be used to identify guests who are under the legal drinking age (20 years of age or younger) or who are above (21 years of age or older). Different color wristbands or unique stamps can be used so that bartenders can easily distinguish who is of legal drinking age. A committee from the sponsoring group should be designated as responsible for watching to ensure that no under-age drinking occur, especially outside the view of the bartenders.

Physical Location

Depending on the type and size of an event it is possible to set up the alcohol in a separate area, i.e. a Beer Garden. The bar and bartender(s) are in a separate location and only those who were of legal drinking age can enter this location. No alcohol is allowed to leave this area. This would require some staffing at the entrance of this location.

The Student Activities Office, the Memorial Union and Dining Services are aware that there may be more options for Student Organizations and are open to other risk management plans, but all plans must be reviewed and approved by the Student Activities Office. The University reserves the right to require additional security, at the sponsoring group’s expense, should the risk be assessed as requiring this additional safety measure. Permission to serve alcohol may be withheld if an adequate risk management plan is not provided. If you have questions please contact 906.487.1963 or activities@mtu.edu.