Policies have been developed to provide a safe, educational and enjoyable environment for students, faculty and staff. Violation of these policies may result in disciplinary action taken against the participant and/or the club/organization.
CSU Executive Order No. 1068 (supersedes CSU Executive Order No. 1006)
This executive order (EO) develops and communicates systemwide policies, procedures and/or guidelines for student organizations and activities. EO 1086 may be viewed online athttp://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1068.html.
Policy on Eligibility Requirements for Membership in Student Clubs and Organizations - SA.21.004
Student Leadership Programs collects student organization rosters and verifies member and officer eligibility each semester. Students who do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements are not permitted to serve as members or officers of the group. Student organizations should review the policy pertaining to member eligibilty located online at http://policy.csuci.edu/SA/21/sa.21.004.htm.
Guidelines for Clubs/Organizations
Minimum Number of Students
Official recognition of any student club/organization requires a minimum of five (5) students who are currently enrolled in at least six units at CSU Channel Islands.
Non-Students
Members of registered and recognized clubs/organizations must be enrolled students of CSU Channel Islands.
Equal Access
No campus shall recognize any fraternity, sorority, living group, honor society, or other student club/organization that discriminates on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. The prohibition on membership policies that discriminate on the basis of gender does not apply to social fraternities or sororities, or to other University living groups. Student organizations shall deliver to the vice president for Student Affairs or his/her designee a statement signed by the president or similar officer of the local student club/organization attesting that the club/organization has no rules or policies that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, sex, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. This statement shall be renewed annually.
Hazing
Hazing is defined as: doing, requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation or continued membership or participation in any group that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, the use of alcohol, creation of excessive fatigue, and paddling, punching or kicking in any form.
Furthermore, the practices commonly referred to as pledging are not permitted. University policy prohibits hazing, which includes but is not confined to any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor, drugs or other substances for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any club/organization. The same law provides that the governing document of every campus club/organization is deemed to prohibit the club/organization from engaging in hazing. This means that your club/organization’s Constitution is required to contain a provision which prohibits hazing, even if that club/organization has not officially adopted such a provision. It is a violation of acceptable standards of conduct at CSU Channel Islands for any individual, club or organization to engage in the practice of hazing as defined above. Any such violation may result in disciplinary proceedings against the involved students and club/organization and subject the students to the penalty of expulsion, suspension, restitution, probation, censure, warning, or admonition, and subject that club/organization to the penalty of rescission of its permission to operate on CSU Channel Islands facilities. Students should understand that these violations of the Student Code of Conduct will involve judicial proceedings with the Dean of Students office.
Official recognition of a student club/organization may be withdrawn for hazing or conspiracy to haze as defined in the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Article 2, Standards for Student Conduct, Section 41301(b)(8). Individual students may be disciplined for hazing under Section 41301(b)(8).
Indemnification Clause
The recognized/registered club/organization and its individual active, inactive, or associate members shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the State of California, the California Board of Regents, California State University Channel Islands, the Trustees of the California State University, representatives, their officers, employees, agents and volunteers from and against any and all liability, loss, claims, damages or expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from or related to the performance by the University or the organization or their respective agents of any obligation or responsibility referenced in this guide or any other activity undertaken for any purpose by the club/organization or its individual active, inactive, or associate members, or guests or invitees, regardless of whether such activities are negligent or intentional acts or omissions. This indemnification does not extend to actions caused by the sole negligence of California State University Channel Islands or its employees.
Club/Organization Rules and Responsibilities
Student Leadership Programs seeks to ensure that all club/organization members remain in good standing with the University. Student Leadership Programs staff will follow up with any policy violations that occur during club/organization events and, depending on the severity of the incident, Student Leadership Programs may also forward the case to the Dean of Students for review and possible University sanctions.
Responsibilities of Clubs and Organizations
Student clubs/organizations at California State University Channel Islands shall complement the mission of the University and enhance the educational experience for students. Clubs/organizations will be held responsible for actions of the group membership, guests and individuals. A club/organization is responsible for its own actions.
The club/organization will be held responsible:
- When the club/organization fails to comply with a duty imposed by a written University policy, including, but not limited to, improper membership education and initiation; improper organizational registration of activities for which registration and/or permission is required; failure to comply with applicable health and safety regulations; misuse of University property, facilities and equipment; violations of University regu¬lations on the use of alcohol; misrepresentation of the club/organization or group; abuse of student election procedures and regulations; misappropriation of funds; and violations of any rule or policy applicable to clubs/organizations.
- When the club/organization’s purpose is not compatible with the educational purposes of the University.
- When the club/organization has engaged in financial mismanagement or conducted activities that are in violation of University regulations and/or local, state and federal laws.
- When a club/organization or an affiliated University group is charged with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the presiding officer or individuals affiliated with the group shall be required to partici¬pate in proceedings conducted by the Dean of Students office under this Code as representatives of the group.
- When one or more officers refuses or neglects to perform duties outlined in the club/organization’s constitution or Student Code of Conduct.
Club Review, Revocation and Suspension
- Where the University alleges that the club/organization, its officers or its individual members have failed to comply with the requirements for maintaining recognition, the University may follow established¬ procedures to conduct an investigation and render sanctions, or conduct an administrative review and take summary action as it deems appropriate under the circumstances, or utilize other disciplinary policies and procedures as established with respect to student organizations.
- The University may elect, in lieu of revoking recognition, to impose educational and/or punitive measures against the club or organization and/or its officers, including but not limited to academic probation or expulsion.
- A club/organization whose recognition/registration is suspended loses the opportunity to use the name of the University, to use University bulletin boards and facilities, to schedule activities on campus, and other privileges enumerated as established by the University. A suspended organization must continue to comply with those requirements stipulated. Failure to do so will prevent the organization from having recognition reinstated.
Shared Responsibility for Infractions
Students and their club/organization may be held responsible for the conduct of their guests while on University premises, at University-sponsored or supervised activities, and at functions sponsored by any club or orga¬nization.
Risk Management
Student Leadership Programs assists clubs/organizations in providing a safe environment for participation events and activities. Club/organization activities may involve risks and thus potential for losses. These losses may adversely affect students, the University and University resources. Every effort shall be made to reduce these risks. Although all risks associated with participation cannot be eliminated completely, it is the responsibility of each club/organization member to assist Student Leadership Programs to reduce these risks.