Article III. Code of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations
The following conduct guidelines for Recognized Student Organizations and their members or designees have been formulated to ensure legal, appropriate, and responsible conduct of and when the organization and/or its members or designees are representing the organization or the University in conjunction with their organization. This includes but is not limited to: all events both on and off-campus, fundraising activities as well as individual member/designee conduct or actions by persons acting as an ambassador or representative of the organization.
Individual members (students and non-students) representing a student organization and the University are expected to abide by all federal, state and local laws/ordinances, as well as the policies, procedures and guidelines of any off-campus facilities or localities where the organization, team, or group may be.
Some possible violations of law and ordinances include, but are not limited to:
- State statutes pertaining to the legal drinking age and the provision of alcoholic beverages to minors.
- University Equal Opportunity Policy and related procedures regarding student organizations.
- Student organization Non-Discrimination Policy.
- University Purchasing and Account/Cash handling procedures.
- University Anti-Hazing Policy, organizational and State statutes pertaining to hazing.
- Incidents of vandalism and disorderly conduct.
Any student organization violating these or other standards to which they are held may be subject to disciplinary action, as outlined in this document. The SSA, Involvement Center and/or Dean of Students Office reserves the right to immediately place an organization on suspension until such time that due process can be carried out.
Individual students involved in acts violating University policy may, in addition, face disciplinary action under UWS Ch. 17 Student Non-Academic Disciplinary Procedures.
The following policy outlines the obligations for Recognized Student Organizations.
1. As required by Regent Policy 30-06, recognized student organizations must extend membership and all membership privileges, including voting and eligibility to hold office, to all students without regard to age, ethnicity, gender (except as otherwise permitted by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), disability, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status, except those student organizations that select their members on the basis of commitment to a set of beliefs (e.g., religious or political beliefs) may limit membership and leadership positions in the organization to students who affirm that they support the organization’s goals and agree with its beliefs.
2. Recognized Student Organization, its members and/or designees shall be liable in the appropriate adjudicating courts and are not exempt from disciplinary action under this policy if they are found in violation of organization, University, local, state or federal laws/ordinances including but not limited to: Issues of discrimination, Sexual harassment or assault, Possession of illegal substances, Illegal usage or sale of alcohol (Including sale of or providing alcohol to underage individuals), Illegal Usage or sale of controlled substances, Misappropriation of funds, facilities, vehicles and equipment, Assault/battery, Disorderly conduct and/or damage to persons or property.
3. A Recognized Student Organization, its members and/or designees shall abide by the following alcohol policy.
- A. The possession, sale, use or consumption of alcoholic beverages during an organization event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the organization, or at any event an observer would associate with the organization, must be in compliance with any and all applicable rules or laws of the university, city, county, state, and federal government.
- B. Organizations hosting events, either officially or unofficially, where alcohol is present must have a licensed third party vendor.
- C. Organizations may not use funds collected from member dues, fees, or collaborative fundraising efforts to purchase alcohol, nor may the purchase of alcoholic beverages for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or behalf of the organization. In addition, same funds may not be used to purchase promotional materials for unofficial events that can only be attended by those of legal drinking age.
- D. Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the organization, without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, are prohibited.
- E. No members, collectively or individual, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor.
- F. Organizations hosting events on campus where alcohol is available must follow the campus alcohol policy.
- G. Organizations must hold all official organization events at locations that allow entry to persons of any age.
4. Publicity for student organization events and activities must be within the regulations as outlined by the Stout Student Association, Involvement Center, and University guidelines (as stated in UW-Stout policy 14-74) or as stated by the particular hosting facility. Promotion must clearly indicate that the sponsor is a Recognized Student Organization.
5. A Recognized Student Organization, its members and/or designees shall be responsible for any and all activities and/or damages resulting from any organization sponsored event/activity. A Recognized Student Organization, its members, designees and/or person(s) acting on its behalf must exercise reasonable precaution to ensure that its events/activities do not cause damage or harm to the property or persons of students, University employees, other organization, members of the community or the University; harm or constitute a serious danger to the personal safety of students or University employees; do not obstruct or seriously impair University-run or University-authorized activities and/or events.
6. All Recognized Student Organizations are responsible for having all members complete a Risk Awareness (Hold Harmless Agreement) form if the nature of the organization’s activities involves risk of injury due to participation in the organization and/or its activities, or if the organization is planning an event or activity off-campus.
- a. This agreement states that the participants are engaging in the activity by their own free will, and that they alone are responsible for their behavior/actions in such activity.
- b. Completion of this form is not to supersede organizational, University, local, state or federal Anti-hazing laws or policies.
7. Recognized Student Organizations may not affiliate, co- sponsor, advertise or conduct an event or activity with any other student organization who has been prohibited from participation in such event or activity, has had its recognition suspended or revoked by the Stout Student Association, UW-Stout, and/or the National Office or governing body of organization.
- 1. Recognized Student Organizations are held accountable for adhering to these policies through their Advisor(s), president or chairperson, officers or other designated representatives to the University.
8. Student Organizations in a period of disciplinary suspension or probation shall, in good faith, abide by their rules and applicable University Policy governing student organizations or they shall risk sanctions that include, but are not limited to:
- a. Further probation
- b. Further suspension
- c. Permanent banishment
- 1. Student Organizations within a period of probation may affiliate, co-sponsor, advertise or conduct and event or activity only with the approval of the SSA or Dean of Students.
9. Recognized Student Organizations, its members or designees may not support, participate in, or conduct any form of hazing at any time as outlined or defined by organizational, Fraternal Information Programming Group (FIPG), University, local, state and federal laws/ordinances.
- a. Violations and/or non-compliance of such laws and ordinances by an organization will automatically submit the organization, its members or designees subject to immediate sanctions under the appropriate adjudicating authorities. “Implied pressure” to participate in any hazing activity may constitute hazing.
10. Recognized Student Organizations shall, in good faith and upon recognition by the Stout Student Association, abide by their rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as outlined by their constitution and by-laws.
- a. The Organizational Affairs Conduct Oversight Committee of the Stout Student Association will determine misconduct, non-compliance and/or violations of said constitution and by-laws.
11. To maintain recognition by the university, recognized student organizations must complete the annual renewal process as determined by the Organizational Affairs Committee and the Involvement Center. Requirements for the renewal process are outlined within the Standing Policy of the Organizational Affairs Committee.
12. A student may not hold more than one (1) presidential position within the principal student organizations (SSA, Stoutonia, BDP).
13. An organization’s president or chairperson, officers or other designated representatives may not knowingly make a false statement, either orally or in writing, to any University employee or agent, or a person conducting an investigation under the provisions of any policies within the student organization code of conduct, or to a Stout Student Association Officer on any matter relating to the activities or actions of the organization and/or its members or designees.
14. All organizations must release all financial information pertaining to the organization from both on and off-campus sources at the request of the Stout Student Association. These include, but are not limited to, the following: bank account statements, transaction history, receipts of purchase.
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