Are you looking into starting a new organization on campus? You have come to the right place! First review the criteria to become a Registered Student Organization (RSO) and the information on RSO Tracks, then click on “Register New Group” below to view instructions on how to register your group. View the privileges and responsibilities that come along with being registered.

The following are the criteria used to approve the RSOs:

1. PURPOSE: Each student organization is required to describe clearly and specifically the purpose of the organization. The purpose of the organization should be consistent with the educational nature of the university and will be publicized on the student organization’s AggieLife profile.
2. USE OF UNIVERSITY NAME AND TRADEMARKS: Student organization names must comply with University Name and Trademark policy.  All variances of names and visual representations of the University of California, Davis, are considered UC Davis trademarks.  The marks include any trademark, service mark, name, logo, insignia, seal, design or other symbol or device associated with or referring to UC Davis. Also included are any word, phrase, or image that implies association with the university, such as “Cal Aggie” or “Go Ags!” The university owns these trademarks and must approve their use. Student organizations may use the university name (including any abbreviation) only to describe its location, but not as part of its name.  Example: “Service Club at UC Davis” is permitted, but “UC Davis Service Club” is not permitted.
3. MEMBERSHIP
   1. Each registered group must be composed of at least three currently registered and paid UCD students.
   2. Public information about these students may be disclosed without prior written consent unless the student notifies the UC Davis Registrar’s Office in writing or via an established electronic procedure that such information shall be confidential. Public information includes name, address, email address, and telephone number. CSI may release this information about you as a representative of this organization.
   3. Only currently registered and paid UCD students can be active members; only active members may vote, hold office, determine programs, control the group’s money, and represent the group to the university.
   4. Currently enrolled UCD students must comprise three-fourths of the organization’s membership.
   5. A graduate student organization is a student group, whose primary purpose as identified by the group is to support, benefit and promote the goals/needs/interests of UC Davis graduate students.
   6. The group membership must consist of a minimum of 66% graduate students and at least two of the primary leaders must be graduate students.
   7. Associate members may be students on PELP, UCD staff, faculty, and the immediate families of UCD students, staff, and faculty and non-university-related individuals.  Associate members may attend group meetings and events, participate in discussions, serve as guest speakers on an occasional basis, teach and perform small tasks for the group.
   8. Consistent with section 70.10 of the UC Policy on Registered Campus Organizations, the organizations will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, except that membership in an officially recognized sorority or fraternity may be limited by gender.  This certification shall override any language to the contrary in the organization’s bylaws, constitution, or other documents, and approval of this application does not include approval of such contrary documents.
4. ORGANIZATION ADVISORS: Your group may choose to have an advisor if you wish to do so. An advisor can be a valuable source of information and continuity for the group, and may be a UCD staff or faculty member, someone from the community or a UCD student.
   1. Advisors may:
      1. Provide information/advice to the group.
      2. Participate in orienting and training new members and officers.
      3. Attend group meetings.
      4. Participate in discussions.
   2. Advisors may not:
      1. Select members (but may participate in selection discussion).
      2. Determine or direct the group’s programs, goals and performances.
      3. Control group’s finances; vote.
      4. Hold office.
      5. Reserve campus facilities.
      6. Represent the group to the university or community.
5. RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER GROUPS AND AGENCIES: A student group that is associated with a local, state, national or international organization will be registered only if the group, through its active members, retains decision-making authority and control over its programs and finances. This means that:
   1. The group has the authority to make all final decisions.
   2. The group does not have to obtain permission or approval from its associated organization for its activities.
   3. The group makes the final decision to use the funds it generates.
   4. The group does its financial bookkeeping.
   5. The officers are selected by the student members of the group.
   6. A group that is an agent for an off-campus or another campus organization or whose sole purpose is to support or fund such an organization will not be registered.
6. DUPLICATION OF EXISTING GROUPS: Due to the increasing number of student organizations and demands for campus resources and space, groups applying for registration that appear to closely duplicate already existing groups will be required to submit a clear, written description of the differences between the groups. This may include such components as purpose, programs, philosophy and structure. The responsibility rests with the group to prove to the university how it differs from the existing groups and why it should be registered as a separate student organization.

RSO TRACKS

Tracks help the CSI team determine what support your organization will need throughout the year. Each new group will select their Track during the registration process. To see the activities associated with each Track review the document below.

Determine Your Track Level

In the event you need to change your track mid year, please submit the following form on AggieLife.

Track Change Request Form

REGISTRATION

Use the links below to register a new student organization or re-register a previously approved RSO. Note, re-registration is required each year. When you register, you can update officers, switch Authorized Reservers or change your profile picture.

Register a New Group

Re-Register an Existing Group