Club Council

The University reserves the right to review and approve or deny all proposed student organizations seeking University recognition. This is to ensure that the proposed organization is compatible with the University's mission statement, and that it is in compliance with all federal, state and University regulations.

Minimum Standards for Recognition

• The purpose of the proposed organization must be compatible with the overall mission of the University and not be in violation of any state or federal law.
• The leadership of the group and control of the activities of the organization must rest with the (current AppState) student membership. Appalachian State University will not accept or recognize any other affiliation which places governance authority for the group outside the University.
• The proposed organization must have at least one full-time member of a current AppState faculty or administrative staff of the University who has indicated a willingness to serve as advisor and to attend club meetings and activities as decided on by the student membership. 
• The proposed organization must afford opportunities to members on the basis of personal merit and not race, sex, creed, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin or ancestry. (Greek social fraternities and sororities are exempt from discrimination on the basis of sex by federal law.)
• Students wishing to form a new organization must prepare a statement defining the need for such an organization.
• Students wishing to form a new group must have a proposed constitution providing information concerning the name, membership, qualification for membership, financial plans, method of electing and removing officers, and the qualifications of officers of the proposed organization (See Constitutional Checklist).
• Current AppState students shall make up at least fifty percent plus one of the total membership of any student organization.
• There must be a minimum of ten current AppState student members for the new organizanization whose names must be submitted with the application in Engage.
• All officers, or leadership positions, must be enrolled students at Appalachian State University.
• Decision-making must be vested in the student membership.
• Affiliation with non-University groups must be disclosed.

If the proposed club or organization can meet all of the required criteria for recognition and all concerned parties feel that there is a need and/or interest on the Appalachian campus for a new organization, Campus Activities may grant the following temporary privileges to the organizing group:

• The use of University facilities for three organizational meetings for the purpose of organizing the group and developing a constitution and by-laws.
• The use of University advertising facilities to inform the student population of the group's intent to organize.

New organizations function for one year under temporary recognition. However, at any time, Club Council reserves the right to review any organization to determine the validity of the group's recognition. Groups are generally granted club or organizational status on campus after one year of activity as long as the organization:

• Submits a Student Club and Organization Re-Registration Form via Engage  within one month of the first day of classes in the fall semester.
• Continues to meet the standards for initial recognition.
• Acts within the policies and regulations for recognized organizations.
• Operates within the purpose stated in the constitution for the organization.
• Maintains organizational finances and good credit status with the University and the community in the manner prescribed by Campus Activities. This includes handling all transactions through an organizational checking account with two signatures required on all checks.
• Attends all club/organization mandatory meetings sponsored by Club Council (one per semester).

Recognition of Social Fraternities and Sororities

Any group or person seeking to establish a social or service fraternity or sorority should consult the officers or the constitutions of the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, or the AppState chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Councils, or consult the Associate Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life.