With the foundations of an organization in place, it’s important for you to take the time to learn just how student organizations function within your school’s bureaucracy. Each school has procedures in place for dealing with student groups that you need to learn to survive. You will be existing within the university’s bureaucracy, so you need to figure out how to maneuver it. Here are some important things you should learn from the outset:
- What are the requirements for becoming a recognized student organization?
- What are the benefits of becoming a recognized student organization?
- How do you reserve rooms for events on campus?
- Are there restrictions to reserving rooms on campus?
- What sorts of events are allowed on campus?[1]
- How can you receive school funding for your organization?[2]
- How can you get around much of the school’s red tape?
Continue to Step 5: Ratify a Constitution
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[1] It is important to keep in mind that some events, like protests or demonstrations, may only be allowed in “free speech zones” on your campus. Many such zones still exist that only permit students to speak freely in designated areas at designated times. If you don’t comply with such regulations, you may be severely sanctioned. If restrictive speech policies are in place on your campus or you find that your organization may be sanctioned for what you consider to be legitimate activities on campus, contact the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (www.thefire.org), a watchdog organization that can give advice on how to properly handle your situation.
[2] The issue of accepting funding from you school is controversial in advocates of liberty. Some see no problem with this practice. Others believe it’s a means of forcefully taking money away from other students to support a particular ideology. Ultimately, your organization will have to decide which side of this issue you agree with. But one thing that’s important to keep in mind is that every student chose to attend your school freely and if you don’t use the money to support liberty, it may likely be used by others to hinder liberty.
