Registered Student Organization Classification Policy

The RSO Classification Policy collectively summarizes a student organization's relationship to the University of Florida and the benefits, resources and privileges it may access on campus.

Your student organization’s classification determines who and how you receive student organization resources and benefits on campus. University-Sponsored Student Organizations (USSO) will receive benefits and resources almost exclusively through their unit, and General Registered Student Organizations (GRSO) will receive benefits and resources that are collectively provided by the university through SAI registration.

We have created an evaluation based on the criteria in the policy. All student groups are required to complete it as a part of their registration requirements. Please view the RSO Classification Policy for the list of criteria.

Yes, every student organization is required to register each year. For groups not previously registered, including those that are university sponsored, please contact sai@ufsa.ufl.edu for information on becoming registered.

Yes, every organization, regardless of classification, is required to permit their on-campus events through GatorConnect.

Yes, every listed President, Vice President and Treasurer are required to complete the mandatory online training modules.

Your student organization’s classification status is available on GatorConnect’s Announcement page after your registration has been approved. Please login to GatorConnect with your UFL credentials to access the link.

If you do not agree with the classification of your student organization, please contact SAIorganizations@ufsa.ufl.edu with the name of your student organization, your contact information (phone number and email) and the reason you believe the classification should be changed. An advisor within SAI will follow-up to answer your questions/concerns or schedule a meeting with you. In some instances, your student organization advisor(s) and/or the university unit you may be affiliated with will be contacted, also.

It means your student organization is a separate 3rd party entity, not considered a part of the University of Florida. Through registering with the University, your student group agrees to follow its policies and operate on campus with access and/or eligibility for specific campus benefits, including university spaces/facilities, eligibility for allocations in SG if criteria is met, and access to tabling, catering scholarships, and student organization fairs. Please view the RSO Classification Policy for the list benefits and limitations, you may access based on your classification.

It means your student organization is considered an extension of a University unit and that you operate within the scope and function of a University unit. As such, your student group is governed by and under the jurisdiction of internal University policies, standards, and business practices as well as gain access to exclusive university resources through your sponsoring University unit. USSOs through their affiliation with a University unit, may access/eligible for different benefits than General student organizations. University-sponsored student organizations are not eligible for Student Government funding. Please view the RSO Classification Policy for the list benefits and limitations, you may access based on your classification.

A student organization’s classification determines who and how they receive student organization resources and benefits on campus. We expect most student organizations will be classified as GRSOs, and as a result will have little impact on their organization’s mission, purpose, operations and/or registration information. Student organizations classified as University-Sponsored will have additional requirements to formally establish their relationship to their sponsoring University unit. More information will be communicated to your organization if there are additional requirements to properly assess and approve your registration. Please check your email often and complete the registration requirements early to ensure you are registered on time.

Only student organizations that are classified as General and meet the criteria for Student Government (SG) Funding are eligible to participate in the SG Allocation process. If you have specific questions, please contact SG Finance at sgfdocuments@sg.ufl.edu.

If classified as University-Sponsored Student Organization, your organization may be eligible to utilize your University unit’s branding if granted explicit permission to do so from the sponsoring department’s leadership. However, all student organizations may NOT utilize the name, logos or branding of the University of Florida or the University Athletics Association (UAA) without explicit, written permission, regardless of classification.

Students, student organizations and in some instances student organization advisors may not enter into legal agreements on behalf of the University of Florida. Effective September 2, 2022, Student Activities and Involvement will no longer manage the signing of SG-funded contracts. If you are classified as a General Registered Student Organization (GRSO), you may utilize Student Legal Services for most non-UF related legal matters, including the review of your event/performance contracts and service agreements. University Sponsored Student Organizations and their advisors may reach out to Student Activities and Involvement for advice on their event and performance agreements or follow the procedures dictated by their department/unit.

For more information and best practices, click here.

Student Organization Advisors of General RSOs are to maintain an educator/mentor role when advising their student organizations, which may include being aware and sharing campus policies, University resources, and reporting crimes, sexual harassment, and/or sexual violence to the appropriate authorities in a timely manner. Advisors of University Sponsored Student Organizations are to maintain a supervisory role consistent with the expectations of the University unit/department and UFHR’s Volunteer Policy. Training is available to student organization advisors and will be communicated to your at the close of each registration cycle. If you’ve questions about your role as an advisor, please contact sai@ufsa.ufl.edu.

Training is available to student organization advisors. You can participate in the introductory course by searching “SAI” on UF’s myTraining LMS system. We encourage advisors to complete this training at least every 2 years as it is updated based on current policies annually. Additional and supplemental workshops are provided as needed semesterly. If you’ve questions about your role as an advisor, please contact sai@ufsa.ufl.edu.

According to the RSO Classification Policy and UFHR, a volunteer is any person who, of their own free will, provides services to the University with no monetary or material compensation, on a continuous, occasional, or one-time basis. A University unit may utilize volunteers to perform duties/responsibilities through a University-Sponsored student organization, such as tabling, providing tours, putting on programs. This is not to be confused with participation in a University unit’s activities (I.e. attending meetings/events, providing feedback, etc.). University units must follow UFHR’s Volunteer policy in the management of its programs. If you have questions about volunteers, please contact sai@ufsa.ufl.edu.

Yes, and yes! The RSO Classification Policy applies to all student groups on campus, regardless of registration status with Student Activities and Involvement. Our department does encourage all groups to participate in the registration process. Please contact sai@ufsa.ufl.edu for more information.

You can read the policy in its entirety here.

If you’ve additional questions about the policy, please contact sai@ufsa.ufl.edu or call our office at 352-392-1671.