Student Organizations: Membership and Leadership Eligibility

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 Office of Student Involvement and Leadership are defined as student organizations.

In order to be a member of a recognized student organization 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, and
  • Recorded on the organization’s roster on the Involvement Network as a member, and
  • evidence of payment of the Student Support fee.

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) information of individual members will be reviewed periodically by the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership to compile averages for student organizations and to assure that individuals meet GPA requirements stated as required for membership in the organization’s Constitution or Bylaws.

Student Organization Leadership Position Requirements

A leadership position in a recognized student club or organization at BSU includes all positions defined in the club or organization’s constitution 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 club or 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 Director of Student Involvement and Leadership or designee in conjunction with other campus personnel. Grade information of student leaders will be reviewed periodically by the staff in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership to determine eligibility for membership and leadership positions.

The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership may request review of judicial student conduct status from the Office 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