In addition to providing a mechanism for student involvement in institutional decision making, student government at Jackson State University provides an educational experience. Its purpose is two-fold: First, to develop a sense of responsibility for adherence to accepted standards of group life; second, to demonstrate in actual living experiences the social skills required for intelligent self-government. The extent to which student self governance is effective depends upon the degree to which students accept and perform their role in the process. Leadership development is an outcome of student self governance.

PROCEDURES TO ESTABLISH STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The following are procedures for the establishment and operations of student organizations:

Students are free and encouraged to organize and join associations to promote their common interests (e.g. academic, professional, personal, social). Chartered student organizations may have affiliations with organizations – international, national, and/or regional---outside Jackson State University, and be subject to policies and requirements of the parent organizations, provided that this relationship does not conflict with the criteria specified in Part 2 below, or with other requirements described herein. Chartered student organizations include colonies/chapters of national fraternal organizations on the Jackson State University campus. Student organizations are required to petition the JSU Office of Student Organizations for registration, by filing an “Application for Charter.” Thirty (30) days are allowed to fulfill the requirements for registration, after the organization submits the “Application for Charter”.

Chartered student organizations may use University facilities designated by University policy for meetings and other programmed activities, when the facilities are available and the events are properly planned and scheduled. Upon approval of the Coordinator of Clubs and Organizations/Advisor to the SGA and the Vice Provost for Student Life, organizations are granted the status: “chartered student organization.”

The university reserves the right to deny, suspend, or cancel the registration of student groups whose major focus involves activities which expose their members to risk for which the university might be considered liable. Chartered student organizations are subject to all existing University policies and regulations.

Policies and actions of a chartered student organization are determined by a vote of only those persons who are members of the student organization, and are subject to approval by the organization’s advisors. Membership in student organizations is limited to full-time, undergraduate matriculating students, unless specific exceptions are approved by the Vice Provost for Student Life.

Every student organization must choose an advisor from the faculty or staff members of the university. Advisors are expected to counsel organizations on the exercise of responsibility and adherence to University policy. In a limited number of activities, such as student publications and professional societies, advisors are appointed in accordance with stated University or organization requirements. Such appointments reflect the need for advisors of these organizations to have special knowledge in the field. Generally speaking, the selection of an advisor is the prerogative of the student organization; however, the advisor must be approved by the Vice Provost for Student Life. If an advisor resigns, a replacement must be found prior to any proposed activities of the organization being approved. The termination of the advisor relationship may be made by either the student organization, the advisor, or the Vice Provost for Student Life.

For selected types of activities, facilities, and equipment, charges may be assessed to the chartered student organization by a University designee. In these instances, organizations will be notified of such charges prior to the activity. Damage to University facilities and/or equipment resulting from their use by the organization will be charged to the organization.

A chartered student organization is not to be granted privileges denied to another or to be subjected to regulations not binding on another. In rare circumstances, the university may deny, suspend, or revoke the registration of a student organization which: (a) possesses unlawful aims and goals; (b) poses a substantial threat of material disruption (i.e., interruption of classes, damage to the property of others, interference with the rights of others, exposure of students or others to an unreasonable risk of harm, or disruption of the regular and essential operation of the university); or (c) Is unwilling to be bound by University, national, state, and local rules and regulations governing conduct.

The charter status of a student organization may be suspended or
revoked for violating the University’s Code of Conduct.