Clubs & Organizations

Can’t find an organization that piques your particular interest? Be a trailblazer and start a new organization.

Remember, applying organizations cannot induct new members nor function in any manner as an organization without receiving written notice from the Office of Student Engagement that the application has been approved. Deadlines for establishing new organizations are September 30 for fall applicants and February 28, for spring applicants.

Step 1-Decide what you would like this club or organization to accomplish.

• Does a club or organization with similar goals and objectives already exist? If so, why create another?
• Can this club or organization enhance student life?

Step 2-Research to find out if there is a similar organization that exists on the national level. 

• If so, attempt to make contact with this organization to assist with the establishment of your organization.

Step 3-Hold an organization meeting to gauge interest in your organization.

• Will this be a here today-gone tomorrow organization?
• Ask a few other students if they might be interested in organizing a club. Be careful - - sometimes less is better. It's hard to organize with too many people.
• If your organization is recognized, you will have plenty of time to recruit new members. Are these students committed? You don't want to be left doing all the work.

Step 4-Find a university official who is willing to serve as your advisor.

• Clearly explain what you are trying to do. Explain the type of activities you would like to plan. 
• Note: Be mindful that an advisor must be a full-time faculty or staff member at FSU. They must attend all meetings and functions sponsored by the organization.
• Do you realistically think that the university official is willing or has the time to support your objectives?  Note: Be mindful that a university official can only be Advisor to two organizations during an academic year.

Step 5-Submit the Request for Establishment of a New Organization Form through Bronco Advantage.

• Make it neat! - - - you're trying to impress and establish your club as a professional organization. Complete all of the items requested in detail. Failure to do so will lengthen the process.
• Make sure you have all the necessary signatures. Make sure that your constitution does not conflict with University Policies and Procedures.
• Carefully review your packet before submitting it to the Office of Student Engagement through Bronco Advantage. 

Tips for Planning

While major operations - like events and programs - have adjusted, you can use this time for planning with your executive board or officer team for the fall and spring semester. Start to lay the foundation for how you will engage the organization throughout the academic year. You may have new members and they may have all experienced this virtual period in various ways. Think about how to engage various learners when you are all back in person.

Think about what are things you always wish you had time to do, but never have the time to do so during the semester. Organizing think tanks, working on transition documents, brainstorming bylaws revisions, and cleaning up chapter files are all things that can now be more feasible.

It's okay to say that you don't know an answer or that the update does not address any concern - this is better than communicating information that you then have to rescind.

Use preexisting forms of chapter communication (GroupMe, email, etc.) whenever possible to make the communication as seamless as possible. 

Tips for Management

Keep up to date with your organization's and university expectations. These may be shifting rapidly, but be sure to keep your chapter in good standing by reregistering your organization at the beginning of each academic year. 

Consider hosting virtual organization meetings throughout this time to have the organization members connect with each other. It is even more important during this time to continue to encourage positive connection through strong organization meetings/programming. 

Organizations should continue to hold their planning meetings and programs, virtually, to recruit and engage new members. Use this time to clean up your processes and hone in on the skills necessary for your organization. 

Update all organization sites (Bronco Advantage) and social media platforms to reflect the current organization life. Incoming students, prospective students, and family members are looking at your social media platforms to understand whether or not they are interested in joining your organization. Consider giving visitors of your website a better idea of what your organization values and offers. 

Tips for Technology

Flyers: To develope flyers or animated videos for marketing for your organization, please consider utilizing Canva.com, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Publisher, or other software to assis you with developing marketing materials. All communications 

Virtual Meetings: Please use Microsoft Teams or Zoom for your virtual meetings. The Office of Student Engagement can assist you with developing a zoom link for your organization meetings. Microsoft Teams can also be found in your Outlook email portal.  

Current active clubs and organization may request funds from the Student Government Association (excluding NPHC and UGC organizations). The maximum amount to request is $500.00. Each organization may only request funds once each academic year. To apply for funds, please use the following steps. 

Step 1: Log in to Bronco Advantage. 

Step 2: Click the forms tab at the top of the page. 

Step 3: Click "SGA Club and Organization Fund Request" form. 

Step 4: Submit application

Step 5: The SGA Advisor or SGA Vice President will communicate with the organization advisor to determine next steps for funding. 

Corq App for Campus and Organizations Events

• Students can download the CORQ app through the google and apple app store to learn about all events sponsored by clubs and organizations.
• This app will provide a calendar of all upcoming events and  a QR code for contactless check in for all students.    

Campus Check-In App for Clubs and Organizations

• This app will provide a contactless clubs and organizations members to scan the students QR code when they are checking in to your event.
• If the student does not have the Corq App QR code, you are also able to look up a student through this app for event attendance. 

What is an advisor?

The duties of an advisor include:

• Maintaining regular contact and involvement with the officers of their student organizations. The exact time commitment is up to you.
• Being knowledgeable about the missions, goals, and purpose of the student organization
• Helping the group uphold Fayetteville State University's policies and guidelines
• Being familiar and involved with activities and events of the group
• Providing resources and support for events and usage of spaces
• Assisting with the administration of the financial affairs of the group

Advisors take on different responsibilities depending on the needs of their organization. Some advisors are more involved in organizational planning and problem-solving, while others take more of a step back. Is it important to remember that an advisor is NOT a supervisor. Here are some of the common roles of advisors:

• Mentor
• Team builder
• Motivator
• Role model
• Educator
• Institutional policy interpreter
• Sources of information and ideas
• Liaison between the organization and university administration

Advisor Expectations

Each student organization must have a faculty or staff advisor and a Constitution. Each organization will also have a page on Bronco Advantage and all events will be displayed there.

Advisors must be full-time permanent faculty or staff members at Fayetteville State University. Student groups should try to find faculty or staff members who are interested in their missions and who have knowledge of the University and its resources. The advisor agrees to assist the organization, to provide an educational experience for its individual members, and to be familiar with its programs and activities. Most importantly, groups should look for faculty or staff members who are willing to provide counsel, service, dedication, and continuity with their organizations. To support these efforts, the Division of Student Affairs sponsors an Advisor of the Year award to honor advisors who demonstrate these qualities. A faculty or staff member who agrees to serve as an advisor to a student organization accepts, thereby, the responsibility for encouraging the organization in meeting its aims and purposes in accordance with the University policy.

Recognized student organizations may be required to meet additional departmental or administrative requirements for affiliation with or support from an academic unit or administrative office. Additionally, such guidelines may include the requirement for an administrative or departmental advisor, maintenance of a specific grade point average, a specified structural composition for the organization to meet, and/or national standard of affiliation. Enforcement of such requirements is the responsibility of the department chairperson or the administrative office. All questions regarding advisement, related policies or training opportunities in student organizations should be referred to the OSA Program Director.

ALL advisors and co-advisors for University recognized student organizations MUST be full-time employees of Fayetteville State University and have received approval to serve in such capacity from both their immediate supervisor AND departmental supervisor. Any advisor who knowingly or with negligent or reckless disregard allows their organization or any of its members (whether FSU members or otherwise) to violate any law, rule or University policy or code may be subject to sanctions by the University including but not limited to removal from the position of advisor or employment discipline including but not limited to termination.

Please contact the Office of Student Engagement for more information as an advisor (910)-672-1018. 

Tips for advising success

In addition to identifying your role(s) within the student organization(s), these tips may further ensure your advising success:

• Be visible and choose to attend group meetings and events. At the same time, know your limits.
• Help students find a balance between activities and their academic responsibilities.
• Share creative suggestions and provide feedback for activities.
• Take an active part in formulating policies through interaction with the organization's officers and members.
• Model good communication skills and listening skills. Develop good rapport.
• Notice and intervene in situations that might give rise to poor public relations for the student group or university.
• Learn the strengths and weaknesses of the group. Offer support when necessary, but also allow students to make their own mistakes and learn from them.
• Plan and encourage attendance at leadership trainings.