Policy regulating membership and leadership positions within student organizations.

"Student Organization" is defined by the university as any organization, whose membership and leadership, is comprised solely of students, with advisement from a member of the university's faculty, administration or staff. All groups recognized by the Center for Student Engagement and Club Sport Teams recognized by Athletics and Recreation are defined as Established Student Organizations (ESO). 

In order to be a member of a ESO at BSU, a student must meet each of the following requirements which will be monitored by the university: 

• currently registered student at BSU 
• enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis 
• recorded on the organization’s roster on the EngageBSU platform as a member 
• There may be no membership restrictions on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, age, disability or veteran status, except as may be permitted exempted by law. 

Grade point average (GPA) and enrollment status of individual members will be reviewed periodically by the Center for Student Engagement to compile averages for student organizations and to assure that individuals meet university requirements for membership and organization requirements for membership as stated in their Governing Documents. 

Student Organization Leadership Position Requirements 

A leadership position in a Recognized Student Organization at BSU includes all positions defined in the organization’s governing documents for executive board or officer positions. To be eligible to hold a leadership position, a student must meet each of the following requirements which will be monitored by the university: 

• meet the requirements for membership in a student organization 
• at the time of election or appointment and during term of office, must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credits per semester), and 
• at the time of election or appointment and during term of office must have/maintain a GPA above the organization’s stated minimum requirement for leadership. In the event there is no higher minimum stated, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher is required. (Students in their first semester of enrollment at BSU are exempt from this requirement).Any exceptions to these requirements must be formally approved by the Director of the Center for Student Engagement or designee in conjunction with other campus personnel. Grade information of student leaders will be reviewed periodically by the staff in the Center for Student Engagement to determine eligibility for membership and leadership positions. 

Leadership eligibility for Club Sports will be managed by Athletics and Recreation with exceptions reviewed and decided by the Athletics Director or their designee.  

The Center for Student Engagement may request review of student conduct status from the Office of Community Standards. This review is done to verify consistency with student organization and/or campus policies for good standing where applicable. 

Reviewed 8/2023 by Christina McCauley, Executive Director, Center for Student Engagement and Matt Miller, Director, Center for Student Engagement