Registered Student Organization Handbook

Available Technology

E-mail Accounts

Student Organizations who request to have a website set up through the University are automatically given an e-mail account. This e-mail account needs to be checked by the organization because computing services and the Office of Student Life will periodically send account updates to those e-mail addresses.

To request an organization e-mail account, see the Obtaining Technology section of this Handbook.

The organization accounts operate like a student e-mail account, all policies are the same and the Office of Student Life will enforce those policies. Student organization e-mail accounts can not be used for spam or sending paid advertisements.

Blackboard

Registered student organizations may access the university Blackboard system for organizational use. The RSO Blackboard can be a useful tool for internal communication with organization members through discussion boards, e-mail, document posting, web links, virtual meetings, and more.

Access to an organization's Blackboard is connected to the online membership roster maintained by the RSO on the Student Organization Administration System.

Advisors must regularly review content of the Blackboard site. Proper use and conduct in accordance with university technology policies is expected.

Refer to the Obtaining Technology section of this Handbook to request a Blackboard for your organization.

Technology privileges are granted to registered student organizations at the discretion of the Office of Student Life. The Office of Student Life and Computing Services reserves the right to remove these privileges at any time.

Web Sites

All Grand Valley State University registered student organizations are able to host a web site using University resources. The organization is responsible for creation and maintenance of the site. These web sites operate identically to the student web sites and provide 25 megabytes of disk space.

To request an organization web site, see the Obtaining Technology section of this Handbook.

Only the advisor and president of the organization have the authority to set up and change passwords to the student organization web site accounts. Requests for assistance with organization accounts must go through the Office of Student Life Technology Student Manager at osltech@gvsu.edu.

Policies on Student Organization Web Sites

Any student organization site, whether hosted on the Grand Valley State University student server or by an off-campus server must adhere to certain posting guidelines.

The home page of the site should include the full name of the student organization, and a link to the Office of Student Life home page (www.studentlife.gvsu.edu).
Include name and current e-mail address of someone who updates that webpage.
Any use of the university name and logo must be in accordance with all university policies on their use and placement.
Any student organization with a national affiliation should include a link to its national office website.
All university policies on web site posting must be followed. These can be found at http://www.gvsu.edu/it/student.
No paid advertising is allowed on the site.
All content must complement the mission of the Office of Student Life and Grand Valley State University.
Distasteful content or inappropriate images and text are not allowed.

The Student Organization Center Technology Student Manager is available a few hours per week to answer questions about RSO technology needs. You may contact the Technology Student Manager by e-mailing osltech@gvsu.edu.