St. John’s University aims to complement the formal knowledge
imparted in the classroom with other learning experiences which
promote personal development. While stressing academic excellence,
the University recognizes the importance of providing facilities,
services, programs and staff which help integrate social, cultural,
athletic, spiritual and academically-related activities with
classroom learning. Involvement in these groups and organizations
presents students with the opportunity to take responsibility for
shaping the campus environment, for broadening their learning, for
gaining leadership and interpersonal skills, and for developing a
commitment to service.
Students are free to organize and to join associations whose
stated purposes are consistent with the University mission and its
Catholic character and Vincentian tradition. All student
organizations seeking eligibility for University benefits must be
registered with the ... Student Government ... and must follow the
procedures outlined below.
Registered groups are expected to conduct their activities in an
orderly, responsible and civil manner in order to maintain a
community consistent with the mission and goals of the University.
Registered groups which depart from these standards and norms will
be held accountable.
Although the University recognizes the educational value of
student organizations, the registration of a student organization
in no way, expressly or impliedly, indicates that the University
endorses or is responsible for the actions, positions or points of
view espoused privately or publicly by any such organization.
Procedures
- The University delegates responsibility for the registration of
student organizations as follows:
Graduate and professional school student organizations seeking
eligibility for University benefits are required to be registered
with the Dean, or designee, of the particular graduate or
professional school on their respective campus. Registration can be
withdrawn by action of the appropriate Dean or designee. - Registration and eligibility for University benefits shall
neither be withheld nor denied on the basis of race, color,
national and/or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, marital status
or disability.
- In registering a student organization, the proponents of the
student organization must demonstrate to ... the Dean’s office of
the appropriate graduate or professional school ... that the
purpose of the organization is consistent with the mission and
goals of the University and its Catholic nature.
- With respect to registration of student organizations, the
President of the University or his designee reserves the right to
review, offer guidance and, when necessary, intervene in the
decisions of the Student Government or the Dean of the professional
or graduate schools if, in the view of the Administration, the
educational values or mission of the University appear to be
undermined. Since the University seeks to encourage the exercise of
responsible freedom, however, student representatives should be
allowed the greatest possible discretion in making these
judgments.
- Disputes, challenges, and exceptions to the above outlined
registration policy will be resolved between the Chief Student
Affairs Officer or designee and the appropriate student government
representative(s). In cases in which a mutually satisfactory
resolution cannot be achieved, the Senior Vice President will
review the points of difference and make the final determination,
subject to review by the President of the University.
- The registration of a student organization in no way implies
that the University endorses positions or points of view espoused
privately or publicly by the organization.
- Registered student organizations will be reviewed by their
respective Student Government, at a minimum, every three years in
order to verify the continued compliance of their activities with
their constitutions and the consistency of their constitutions with
the mission and goals of the University and its Catholic
character.
- Clarification and interpretations of these guidelines will be
provided as needed by the Chief Student Affairs Officer or
designee.
Criteria for Registration and
Responsibilities of the Organizations
- The student organization must have a constitution which states
the purpose and goals of the organization and how these goals are
consistent and compatible with the mission and goals of the
University. ... Any changes in a professional or graduate student
organization’s constitution will require review by the appropriate
Dean or designee.
- The student organization must abide by University policies and
procedures appropriate to the organization’s activities and
conduct.
- The student organization must agree to comply with the
University’s nondiscrimination policy in regard to membership.
- The student organization must agree that freedom of expression
will be exercised in a peaceful, non-disruptive manner and with
appropriate consideration and respect for differing points of
view.
- The members of the student organization should seek the advice
and counsel of their respective moderators ... especially when
involved in issues that may be controversial or provocative.
- Because registration of a student organization in no way
implies that the University necessarily endorses positions or
points of view espoused privately or publicly by members of the
student organization, the student organization should articulate
the fact that the University is not responsible for the actions,
positions or points of view espoused privately or publicly by any
such organization. The organization should include in all of its
agreements and publications, written or otherwise disseminated, a
suitable statement setting forth that the university, in no way,
expressly or impliedly, endorses or is responsible for the actions,
practices, positions or points of view of any such
organization.
- In the event that a particular student organization is
affiliated with any off campus organization, the student
organization’s constitution must reflect such an affiliation.
- All related policies and procedures in the Student Handbook
apply as indicated.
Rights and Benefits of the
Organization
- The organization may use the University name in association
with the organization in a manner designated by the
University.
- The organization may use the University facilities in
accordance with the applicable policies for meetings and activities
as set by the University.
- The organization may solicit membership on campus under the
organization’s name subject to the policies and procedures
established by the University.
- The organization may use designated University bulletin boards
and posting areas in accordance with the University policies on
posting.
- The organization has the right to request access to campus
services, leadership programs, Student Life liaison, and
appropriate communication resources on campus.
- The organization has the right to request student activity
funding from appropriate sources.
- The organization shall have the opportunity to sponsor
activities on campus including sponsoring guest speakers subject to
the criteria established by the University’s Speakers’ Policy.