Starting a New Student Organization
Campus Departments
If you would like to set up a LakerLink profile for your Campus Department, please contact Bri Slager in the Office of Student Life ([email protected]) to have one made!
What You Need
Please note, new organization submissions are not accepted in the Spring/Summer semester due to the Student Organization Recognition Board not being active through the Spring/Summer semester.
5 Executive Board Members
*Write down the GVSU email address of each officer before you begin*
President
Vice President / Risk Manager
Financial Officer
Membership Officer
Full Time Faculty/Staff Advisor
*Executive Board Members should be majority undergraduate students, unless you are a graduate organization.
A Complete Constitution
Fill out template entirely
Dissolution Clause: Designate a non-profit organization to receive leftover funds if your organization dissolves
A Category Selection
Every student organization must be registered in a corresponding category. Some things to keep in mind:
- Organizations cannot be registered as a Club Sport group without being approved by Recreation & Wellness.
- Organizations cannot be registered as a Graduate Organization unless all members of the organization are graduate students and the organization is based out of a Graduate or Doctorate program offered at GVSU.
- Organizations cannot be registered as a media group unless they are approved by the School of Communications.
Visit this page in the RSO Handbook for a list of organization categories and descriptions.
How to Register
- Go to LakerLink
- Login with your GVSU credentials
- Click on "Activities" on the left side menu
- Search "2025-2026 New Organization Registration"
- Complete the registration form and wait on the Student Organization Recognition Board to review your submission (you may be contacted via email to modify your submission before it can be reviewed).
**NOTE: Be cautious when entering in the email addresses of your Executive Board members. Spelling errors will delay your application**
What to do Now
- The Student Organization Review Board (S.O.R.B.) will meet to hear your organization's request at their next meeting.
- Keep an eye on your email and LakerLink notifications, as that is how we will contact you regarding the status of your pending organization.
- If your organization is approved but pending the completion of a requirement (ex. changes to constitution or org classification), you will have until the next S.O.R.B. meeting to update this.
- Once your organization is approved, you have 30 days to schedule and complete an on-boarding meeting with an RSO staff member.
Have an idea for a new Student Organization?
Do you have an idea for a new student organization, but are struggling to find other interested students? Fill out the form below, and we will help you get started and can even connect you with students that want to start a similar club!
*Please note this is NOT the new student organization registration form. Please see above for new organization registration instructions.