Undergraduate student groups provide a platform for like-minded individuals to connect, collaborate, and build a supportive community.
By bringing students together who share common interests, goals, or experiences, these groups create a sense of belonging and identity on campus. They offer a space for personal growth, as students can develop leadership skills, enhance their social networks, and explore new opportunities. Ultimately, a student group’s significance lies in its ability to empower students, promote inclusivity, and contribute to their overall well-being and success at WashU.
Student groups who are interested in starting a new undergraduate student group should refer to this page for guidance. It outlines the twelve (12) required steps in the recognition process. To be eligible for review, groups are encouraged to begin at least 60–90 days before the next review cycle, which occurs each fall semester.
12 Steps to Student Union Recognition (with timeline)
| January 1 – May 31, 2025 | 1) Meet 2) Initiate 3) Brainstorm 4) Define 5) Draft |
| May 31 – August 31, 2025 | 6) Prerequisites Met |
| August 31 – September 26, 2025 | 7) Apply |
| September 26 – October 31, 2025 | 8) Present 9) Evaluation 10) Provisional Approval |
| October 31 – December 31, 2025 | 11) Train |
| January 12, 2026 | 12) Formal Recognition |
These 12 steps outline how a prospective student group can potentially achieve Student Union recognition. The timeline offers guidance on when each step should be completed.
Groups seeking Student Union Recognition must first meet with the Assistant Director for Student Involvement & Student Groups to understand the process.
This initial step is mandatory for all groups. During the meeting, the group will learn about the necessary steps to be invited to apply for recognition.
It is recommended that groups starting this process early, (no less than 60-90 days prior to the application deadlines). Groups will be required to meet several times with the Assistant Director for Student Involvement & Student Groups to meet the requirements be invited to apply for recognition.
CAMPUS LIFE CONTACT:
Scott Williams
Assistant Director, Student Involvement & Student Groups
(314) 935-6088
scott.williams@wustl.edu
Schedule A New Student Group Conference
Undergraduate students at Washington University in St. Louis are integral to Campus Life and Student Union. Groups are encouraged to foster a strong sense of belonging throughout their university journey.
With over 400 undergraduate student groups, the university boasts a vibrant and diverse student community that takes pride in being part of Washington University.
Students at Washington University in St. Louis may consider forming a new group on the Danforth Campus during their time here. You are encouraged to connect with like-minded undergraduate students who share your interest in forming a new group.
Often, students use public bulletin boards, academic communications within their schools, and word of mouth to gauge interest in their ideas
When forming a student group at Washington University in St. Louis, it’s essential to spend time brainstorming ideas and establishing your group’s foundation. This includes creating a clear mission and purpose.
The input and participation of group members are vital in defining the group’s identity and goals. By collaborating, you can shape the group’s direction and determine your objectives.
During brainstorming, it’s important to capture and acknowledge all members’ thoughts and ideas, no matter their size or significance.
Brainstorming allows every member to have a voice, provide input, and contribute to shaping the group’s formation and function. By actively involving all members, you can foster creativity and collaboration, ensuring everyone’s ideas are valued and considered in crafting the group’s identity and direction.
After your group has brainstormed, it’s time to consolidate your ideas and develop a plan. This phase involves refining your concepts and organizing them into strategic steps.
Next, groups should identify their priorities and set both short-term and long-term goals. While this process will vary for each group, the resulting document will give all members a clear visual of the group’s direction.
Distribute these outlines to your group to ensure everyone understands the priorities and goals. A crucial aspect of becoming a recognized student group is demonstrating sustainability for at least 2-3 years. Sharing these outlines enables the group to continually build on the foundation you’ve established.
Each student group must have and maintain a formal constitution. This document should detail the key components of the group’s operations and governance.
Every constitution must include:
- Preamble
- Mission Statement / Purpose
- Membership definition and process to become a member
- Mechanism or process to remove a member
- Officers of the group and their selection process
- Operational procedures
- Mechanism or process to amend the constitution or documents
- Code of Conduct
- Non-discrimination Policy
CLICK TO VIEW CONSTITUTION TEMPLATE
A ratified constitution is required when submitting your Student Group Application.
During a second meeting with the Assistant Director of Student Involvement & Student Groups, you must provide a formal constitution and any applicable bylaws. These documents will be reviewed, and recommendations for edits will be given.
Once the documentation is approved, your group will be invited to apply for Student Union Recognition.
All student groups must meet multiple times with the Assistant Director for Student Involvement and Student Groups in Campus Life. In the final meeting, they must provide the three (3) items below to meet the Campus Life Prerequisites.
PREREQUISITES
- Final Constitution: A formalized constitution that incorporates all edits necessary from Campus Life / SU.
- Roster with at least ten (10) active members: Active members are attributed to those who actively attend general body meetings, events or programs for their new group.
- Faculty/Staff Advisor: Each group must secure a full-time WashU faculty or staff member to serve as their advisor.
Note: Groups categorized under: Religious, Spiritual, Ethical Life may need to meet with the Director of ORSEL at this stage. Sports and/or Recreation may need to meet with the Department of Recreation at this stage.
PREREQUISITES MUST BE MET BEFORE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
The Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Student Groups in the Office of Campus Life will review the three (3) prerequisites. If the prerequisites are sufficient, the student group will be invited to submit their formal application for Student Union Recognition.
Once invited to apply, groups will submit their official SU Recognition application through WUGO. This application will include details on:
- Group mission
- Membership details
- Distinctiveness
- Goals
- Past programming successes
- Future programming plans
- Plans for using SU resources
- Current roster and executive roles
- Constitution
Must have met the prerequisites before September 1, 2025 and have been invited to apply by the Assistant Director for Student Involvement & Student Groups in the Office of Campus Life.
SU RECOGNITION APPLICATION DUE DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
After the application review date, the Student Union Activities Committee will review all submissions. Groups meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to present to select members of the Student Union Activities Committee.
During the presentation, groups should share their mission, completed constitution, goals, and how recognition will benefit them. The committee may ask questions for further insight.
After presenting to the Student Union Activities Committee, the full committee will evaluate the student group based on the criteria below:
- Distinctiveness: Each new group should have a unique mission or purpose that is clearly different from any other group or university department.
- Sustainability: Each group must present a 2-3 year plan with goals to ensure their continued presence on campus.
- Programming: Each group must detail their successful past programming/events and outline their planned programming/events.
- Audience: Each group must specify their target member audience, explain their growth strategy, and have at least ten (10) current members..
- Use of SU Resources: Each group must explain how they will use SU resources effectively for the benefit of the general student body.
- Compliant: All groups must adhere to all university, Campus Life, and SU policies.
Upon completing the evaluation, the Student Union Activities Committee will review all data and vote on recognition for the group.
Approved groups will be presented at a Student Union Treasury session for provisional approval, allowing them to proceed to training.
During the provisional approval stage, groups will be required to attend and complete necessary training. Student groups during this provisional approval stage are not recognized groups and do not have privileges.
All student groups with provisional approval must attend and complete a series of training sessions offered by Campus Life in the late fall semester before they can be granted formal recognition.
At least two (2) executive members from each group must participate and fulfill the training requirements.
These training sessions will be held either in-person or asynchronously online during November and/or December.
In order for the group to become formally recognized, all training must be completed no later than the start of winter break.
Formal recognition is the final step in the new student group process. Groups with provisional approval that complete the required fall training will be granted formal recognition.
Formal recognition begins on the first day of programming each January. For example, if you applied by the fall deadline, recognition is effective on the first day of student group programming in the spring semester.
Starting on the first day of programming, these groups can hold events, programs, and meetings, and are officially recognized by the Student Union and/or Campus Life.
Once formally recognized, groups must adhere to all university, Campus Life, and Student Union policies. They are also required to complete necessary trainings and workshops throughout each academic year.
Student Union Funding Categories
Student Union places all recognized student groups into funding
Categories III, II, or I with each receiving different levels of direct funding and
support. New groups begin in Category III and may apply to move to a higher
category over time, in accordance with Student Union funding guidelines.
| Funding Category III | Funding Category III is the starting point for all newly recognized SU groups. These groups receive a flat $150 per fiscal year from SU, plus access to basic SU funded resources. |
| Funding Category II | Funding Category II groups receive all Category III benefits, plus $15 per active member (up to $1350/year total for all Category II groups). |
| Funding Category I | Funding Category I groups receive all Category III and II benefits, plus $15 per active member (up to $1350/year). Additionally, they may budget for three signature events and request additional funds as needed. |
Important deadlines & information
- All prerequisites must be met before September 1, 2025.
- Application Review Date: September 26, 2025
- Campus Life Contact for Questions: Scott Williams, Assistant Director, Student Involvement and Student Groups: 314-935-6088
Social sororities and fraternities
Please contact Zachary Littrell, Assistant Director for Sorority & Fraternity Life: 314-935-3443