Blueprints: Chapter 4: Student Organization Conduct Expectations

4.1 Guidelines

The Department of Student Activities oversees all student organizations registered with the
University of Connecticut. The information, policies, and procedures in this section applies to all
Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at the University. RSOs that are also recognized by
another office in Student Activities (such as the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Development
or UConn Recreation) may be held to additional standards at the discretion of their respective
department.

4.2 University Offices and Conduct

The Department of Student Activities (DSA) and the Office of Community Standards (OCS) serve
as the primary sources for the review and adjudication of any potential organizational
misconduct. Any violations of the University Student Code are adjudicated by OCS. DSA will
oversee any ‘non-code’ violations including any potential organizational violations of policies
contained or referenced within this document. The organization conduct processes are
discussed in section five of this document.

4.3 Organizational Responsibility

Student organizations are required to abide by federal, state, and local laws. Additionally,
students and student organizations are responsible for adhering to all the applicable terms and
conditions of this document as well as those of The Student Code, the On-Campus Housing
Contract, the Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs, the President’s Policy on Harassment, the U
Guide (Storrs), and other publicized University notices. Violation of applicable laws and policies
by any student organization may result in disciplinary action for that organization and individual
members.

4.4. Individual Acts and Group Responsibility

Student organizations may also be held responsible for the acts of its individual members and
guests when acts occur in direct relation to the student organization’s activities or
environment. Acts may include, but not be limited to, when members or guests of an
organization or organization activity are violating any laws, policies, or codes.

4.5 The Student Code of Conduct

Student organizations are responsible for upholding the Student Code of Conduct both on- and
off-campus. The code can be found here: https://community.uconn.edu/the-student-codepdf/. Several types of prohibited conduct from the code are discussed during the SOLID Hazing,
Harming, & Harassment Prevention and SOLID Inclusion & Belonging trainings, both of which
are required for all organization officers. Student organization leaders and members are
strongly encouraged to be familiar with the elements of the Student Code as they relate to their
actions and activities within their RSO. If you have questions about the content, your student
organization activities, and the Code, please contact staff at SOLID@uconn.edu for advisement
and guidance.

Officer/Membership Termination: Consistent with the aforementioned, student
organization leaders are expected to be familiar with, seek guidance on, and adhere to the
University’s Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence .
This relates specifically, but is not limited to, the criteria under which and process by which a
student organization terminates the membership and/or leadership role of a student within its
organization. Officers and members may not be terminated without cause or due process.
Student organization leaders/members are strongly encouraged to consult with the
organization’s staff/faculty Advisor and/or Student Organization Support Staff PRIOR to taking
steps that may result in the termination of a member. Please see Appendix A for appropriate
Student Activities Personnel.

4.6 Additional RSO Expectations

In addition to registration requirements, Student Organizations must adhere to several policies
and procedures in their activities on- and off-campus. A workshop/website has been created as
part of SOLID training as a reference point for some of the policies outlined in this section.

The U Guide: The Student Union U Guide provides several policies and procedures for student
organization activities related to utilizing space on campus. The U Guide provides information
about reserving spaces on campus, canvassing, large outdoor and/or late-night events, and
outside amplification of sound. Please review the U Guide found here.
(http://studentunion.uconn.edu, under ‘About’).

The Stamford Student Activities Campus Event & Space Guidelines document can be found at
https://studentactivities.stamford.uconn.edu/rso-resources/. This is a resource for student
organizations to utilize regarding all-things event planning and how to properly use campus
spaces/facilities.

Showing a Movie on Campus:
Showing a movie can be a fun and/or educational event opportunity for student organizations.
UConn’s Public Viewing Policy states, “in accordance with Federal Copyright Laws, institutions,
organizations, and individuals wishing to engage in non-home showings of videos must secure
license to do so, regardless of the size of the audience, or whether or not an admission fee will
be charged.”

The necessary steps for securing Movie Rights/Royalties can be found in the UGuide linked
above, or by following the steps provided by the Storrs Campus Student Union on this page.

Student Organization Travel & International Travel Policy:
Student organizations having activities off-campus must submit the Off-Campus Activities
Advising form at http://solid.uconn.edu prior to any travel. Additionally, organizations traveling
internationally must adhere to the UConn Student International Travel Policy and notify Global
Affairs prior to their travel.

General Campus Posting Guidelines:
Each building on campus has its own posting policy and guide. Before hanging any flyers, please
be sure to know the buildings’ specific policy. Any building that allows postings will provide a
space to post your flyers.

RSOs are never permitted to post flyers on/in the following:
• University signs
• Lampposts
• Trees
• Sidewalks
• Windows, walls, or
columns painted
surfaces.
• Doors, floors,
bricks, and railings
• Restroom stalls, or any other location that may cause damage to university property

Additionally, when posting a flyer or notice, Duct Tape, or any other method of permanent or
semi-permanent adhesion is not permitted. Any damages to any surface will be charged to the
students and/or student organization. For more information on how to post in specific places,
please refer to https://solid.uconn.edu/resources/

Residential Life, UConn Buses, and Student Unions are all places you can advertise! Contact
Student Activities Staff for any questions! Please Note: Residential Life has a specific approval
process that takes a couple of weeks to complete, so be mindful of advertising your event in a timely manner. You can find more information about their Posting Policy at
reslife.uconn.edu/housing-contract-forms.

If you attend UConn Hartford, Stamford, or Waterbury, you also have the option to advertise
your events through the Digital Signage System:

For Hartford, visit: hits.hartford.uconn.edu/digital-signage/submission-form/
For Stamford, visit: https://studentactivities.stamford.uconn.edu/marketing-andpublicity-guide/

For Waterbury, contact Student Activities Coordinator, Nathan Emery at nathan.emery@uconn.edu.

Statement on Postings by RSOs on UConntact:
Pursuant to the Laws, Bylaws and Rules of the University, the University assumes no
responsibility for the actions and activities of Tier-II RSOs or their membership nor does it
approve the qualifications of speakers whom RSOs invite. The responsibility for any views
sponsored by or expressed within or by student organizations rests with the individuals
concerned. The University’s role is not to approve or disapprove such views, whatever their
nature, but to be concerned exclusively with the discharge of its educational obligation to
facilitate free discussion of all points of view to the extent guaranteed by the Constitution of
the United States and of the State of Connecticut. The Department of Student Activities
reserves the right to remove any postings on a weekly basis.

Logo & Wordmark Usage:
The University owns the copyright to several University of Connecticut wordmarks and logos.
The usage of these logos is pursuant to all requirements of the Licensing and Branding office.
Please visit http://brand.uconn.edu for this policy. You may also visit
https://solid.uconn.edu/resources/ for a guide on how to utilize and get logos created and
approved through Student Activities.

If an RSO wants to create their own Design and/or use “UConn” in it, Student Activities can help
ensure it passes branding standards. Remember that the UConn official Logos and Words
cannot be altered, and your own design needs to be uniquely different from Current and Past
logos.

The Husky Dog logo is not permitted for use by student organizations. However, the Husky
Pride Design with Jonathan is permitted! The logo needs to stand alone and your RSO’s name
can appear in another location.

Before you order any apparel or other imprinted items, complete the Logo Usage Form at
http://studentactivities.uconn.edu/uconn-logo-usage-and-form. Even if you are not using
UConn marks in your design, we can help you find vendors for purchasing these items!

Enforcement of Use:
1) When a Registered Student Organization (RSO) is found to have violated any of the Logo
& Wordmark Usage Policies:
a. The RSO will be called in for a meeting with the Coordinator of Student
Organization Support.
i. The violation will be discussed and the RSO will be retrained on the rules
for branding, as well as on the procedures for obtaining branding
approval
b. The RSO must call a general meeting to review the violation with their
organization and go over branding policies.
i. The meeting minutes must be turned in to the Coordinator for Student
Organization Support.
1. If the RSO does not conduct the meeting and hand in the minutes
within a timely, agreed upon timeframe, the RSO becomes frozen
until it is completed.
2. If the RSO does not complete it, they will no longer be a
Registered Student Organization.

Outstanding Debt:
Student organizations may incur charges as a result of sponsoring activities and/or conducting
organizational business with various University departments. All student organizations are
expected to pay for services rendered in a timely manner, if not in advance. Organizations that
do not pay their debts to University departments may lose their registration privileges or be
sanctioned until, at least, such issues are resolved.
Rock Painting Policy:
The tradition of rock painting at UConn has had a positive impact on campus. It has served as a
vehicle for the free exchange of ideas and opinions while providing an outlet to express school
spirit, demonstrate pride in individual organizations, and promote various campus events and
activities. You can find the official UConn Rock Painting Policy at:
https://solid.uconn.edu/?p=3673

4.7 Other University Policies:

Club Sports (Storrs Campus Only)
Student Organizations that are recognized as members of the Club Sports program with UConn
Recreation must also comply with policies and procedures set-forth by Recreation. For a listing
of specific Club Sports policies and procedures, please visit: https://recreation.uconn.edu/clubsports/

Center for Fraternity and Sorority Development (Storrs Campus Only)
Student Organizations that are recognized as members of the Center for Fraternity and Sorority
Development must also comply with policies, expectations, and procedures set-forth by the
office. For a listing of specific CFSD policies and procedures, please visit:
https://greeklife.uconn.edu/