Getting Started

Rice University boasts over 400 registered student organizations on campus. Each of these groups is comprised of students with similar interests or passions that wish to work together to achieve a joint mission and purpose. Student organization activities include service, political advocacy, cultural programming, sports and recreation, and much, much more. Joining an organization is a great way for students to become engaged in the University and Houston community, as well as to develop leadership skills and apply classroom learning in practical situations. There are both responsibilities and benefits to being a registered student org on campus. It is the responsibility of the organization leadership to uphold these requirements, and remember that orgs too are also subject to the honor code.

Requirements:

• All undergraduate student organizations must follow the Student Association Bylaws with regard to their establishment as an organization.  All graduate student organizations will likewise follow the Graduate Student Association Bylaws.
• No organization may discriminate in policy or action on the grounds of race, religion, color, sexual orientation or national origin.
• Members of the Rice community must comprise at least 51% of the membership.
• Principal officers and spokespersons must be currently registered Rice students.
• Each student organization must have at least a president and a secondary student leader (ideally, a treasurer).
• All organizations are required to have an advisor that is a current Rice faculty/staff
• Organizations must complete the registration and risk management process EVERY YEAR with the Student Center.
• All student orgnization leaders should transition their new officers in an intentional and responsible manner to insure the future success of their organization.
• All travel outside of Harris County must be registered by submitting a travel registration form. 
• All orgs must uphold the procedures set out by the Student Center, the honor code, the  policies and rules set forth by Rice University, and the laws of the state of Texas and the United States.
• All orgs that plan to host a program with youth under 18 must contact the Youth Protection Manager at youthprotection@rice.edu at least 45 days before the planned event. Additional registration and training may be needed for the org members participating in the event. 

Privileges of Registration

Registered student organizations are awarded the following benefits:

• A bank account through the Student Center, if requested
• Use of Rice Memorial Center/Ley Student Center meeting rooms, facilities, and outdoor areas by the student membership of the organization free of charge (not withstanding requests outside normal operations)
• Opportunity to request funds from the Student Activities Presidents Programming (SAPP) Fund, Rice Student Association Initiative Fund, and New Organization Fund
• Opportunity to advertise in the Rice Memorial Center on the posting wall near the bookstore.
• Use of the Rice University Tax Exemption status

Please Note: These are privileges that may only be awarded to fully registered organizations who have completed the Student Center registration process each academic year. Failure to utilize these privileges responsibly or to uphold the requirements as listed above may result in revocation of the privileges listed and possible dissolution of the organization, and/or possible charges under the Code of Student Conduct.

Creating a Student Organization Webpage or Blog

Rice IT has a number of options for creating an organization web page or blog. For technical help with creating your org website, contact helpdesk@rice.edu.

Creating a Student Orgnization OWL-Space

To create an OWL-Space site for your organization, complete the online form here. For more information, e-mail edtech@rice.edu.

Setting Up an Organization Email Listserv

To set up an org listserv, go to the online application form at mailman.rice.edu. One or more members of your listserv should be designated as the listserv manager(s). Information on listserv management can be found here. Please note that student organizations are responsible for their own listservs. 

Copyright Issues

Printed Materials

The Fair Use Doctrine (1978) of the Copyright Act governs the making of photocopies of copyrighted material. Photocopies may be made for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship or research as long as the reproduction or distribution is made without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage. Rice University will follow the federal law in dealing with violations of the copyright code.

Web Publications

Information concerning Rice's appropriate use of computer resources policies can be found here.

Special Licenses

Examples of situations requiring a special license or permission from copyright holder:

• Use of cartoons or logos for flyers or party themes
• Showing movies at an organization's activity
• Sharing computer software
• Use of music for events, performances, and the distribution and/or sale of video with music

Please contact the Student Center's Student Activities team at studentactivities@rice.edu with any questions.

Use of Rice Name and Logo

Permission to use the Rice logo must be obtained by the Office of Public Affairs. In order to obtain their permission you must email the Student Center (studentactivities@rice.edu) to assist you in the process. If your group intends to sell the items or distribute them outside the University, you must first secure approval from the Student Center.