Classifications & Categories
Classifications
Registered Student Organization - A Registered Student Organization (RSO) is a student-led group that has completed the institution’s official registration process and has been formally recognized by the Office of Student Life and the Student Organization Recognition Board. RSO’s are established to support the needs of the student community. Recognition as an RSO grants organizations access to designated campus resources, services facilities, funding opportunities, and promotional channels, while also requiring compliance with university policies, procedures, and standards of conduct. Majority of student organizations fall within this classification and operate under the guidance of the Office of Student Life to enhance student engagement, leadership development, and campus involvement.
Department Sponsored Organization (DSO) - Student-run organizations that function as an extension of a University Department and receive significant support from that department, including space, resources, and guidance from paid staff or faculty. These organizations are approved by the Office of Student Life and are listed on LakerLink. They do not have to attend officer training or complete registration through the Office of Student Life. They may receive a base budget from the Student Life Fund that is overseen by the sponsoring department. DSOs receiving a base budget allocation from the Student Life Fund are not eligible to apply for the funds managed by the Student Senate Allocations Committee. They must have an active LakerLink page to share the existence of the group with the student body.
- Governance
- Student Senate sponsored by the Director of Student Life and Dean of Students.
- Greek Councils sponsored by the Fraternity & Sorority Life staff in the Office of Student Life.
- Housing & Residence Life Association sponsored by the Housing & Residence Life Staff.
- Campus Programming
- Campus Activities Board sponsored by the Programming staff in the Office of Student Life.
- Media Groups
- Student media of GVTV (the GV student-run television network), Lanthorn (Grand Valley's newspaper), & WCKS The Whale (the GV student-run radio) sponsored by the School of Communications.
- Graduate Organizations
- Organizations with membership of graduate degree seeking students at the institution that are directly tied to a graduate degree program sponsored by the Graduate School.
- Recreation
- Club Sport organizations that are approved by the Club Sport Executive Council and sponsored by the Recreation & Wellness Department.
- Spirit Program is sponsored by the Recreation & Wellness Department.
- Esports Program is sponsored by the Recreation & Wellness Department.
- Other Department Sponsored Organizations
- University departments, colleges, and units may choose to support organizations at the discretion of their the department, college, or unit’s designee. DSOs must be submitted to the Office of Student Life to create a LakerLink page for the DSO.
Provisional Student Organizations - Organizations in provisional status that have not yet completed requirements for full recognition, but have been approved by the Student Organization Recognition Board chairperson. If not completed within 30 days, they must reapply for approval.
Categories
Registered student organizations are organized by classifications as broad categories as listed below:
- Academic & Professional - Organizations that focus on academic disciplines or are related to a specific professional field.
- Cultural - Organizations educate the campus community about non-dominant cultures in order to enhance students' worldviews. They also provide students with an avenue to explore & celebrate their own cultural heritage & provide programs & services designed to support students of various cultural heritages at the University.
- Religious & Spiritual - Organizations serve to enhance a student's spiritual life while providing fellowship & outreach opportunities.
- Fraternities & Sororities - Organizations that provide lifelong opportunities for leadership, service, academic achievement, & social involvement through the association with an inter/national organization. For more information about Fraternity & Sorority Life at Grand Valley State University, visit the Greek Life website.
- Professional Fraternities & Honor Societies - Possess admission standards or special requirements such as grade point average, field of study, leadership, or other areas of achievement. They serve to recognize students. They must be accepted by a National Governing Body.
- Performing Arts - Organizations provide opportunities for involvement & exposure to the performing arts.
- Service, Advocacy & Social Impact: Organizations are centered on positive student engagement & social change through community service & educational programming. These organizations hope to raise awareness of social issues.
- Special Interest - Organizations serve to enhance student life through the co-curricular involvement of special interests & hobbies.