A. Tax ID Numbers. RSOs may be asked for their tax identification numbers during the normal course of business. RSOs may apply for a Tax ID number with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). RSOs with SABS accounts should contact SABS for specific directions regarding tax identification number usage. It should also be noted that RSOs are not sales tax-exempt.

B. Venmo & Other Personal Banking Platforms. Due to Tax Implications by the IRS and risk for liability and fraud, Personal Banking Applications (Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, GooglePay, ApplePay, PayPal, etc.) are strongly discouraged from use by RSOs. This includes payment of dues, fines, events, or fundraising. RSOs at Storrs with a SABS bank account are strictly prohibited from using these applications, per their respective banking contract.

C. Donations. Donations from individuals or businesses made directly to your RSO are not tax-deductible to the donor. Here are two ways to make donations to your RSO tax-deductible:

1. Work with SABA to establish an account with the UConn Foundation. All tax-deductible donations will go to this account, and the individual or business will receive the proper documentation for their donation.
2. RSOs with national chapter affiliations should contact their headquarters about receiving a Tax ID Number to accept tax-deductible donations.

D. Dues. RSOs may determine that organization members are responsible for paying a fee with their membership or ‘Dues’. Dues are considered membership fees that are collected to provide access to perks, opportunities, events, and activities for RSO members. It is unethical and not permitted to use dues money towards payment of RSO officers or RSO Advisors, or for personal gain/profit/use by a member.

E. Fundraising. RSOs are permitted and encouraged to have fundraisers to support their activities in compliance with applicable policies and laws. Active RSOs are also eligible to participate in the UConn Foundation’s Ignite crowdfunding program: https://www.foundation.uconn.edu/crowdfunding-at-uconn/ignite

F. Outstanding Debt. An RSO may incur charges as a result of sponsoring activities and/or conducting organizational business with various University departments. All RSOs are expected to pay for services rendered promptly, if not in advance. An RSO that does not pay their debts to University departments risks their status on campus.

G. Student Activities Banking Services (SABS) – Storrs Campus

SABS provides RSOs with the tools, resources, and guidance to operate under sound financial business practices and principles. RSOs interested in opening an account or learning more about being responsible for their organization’s finances are encouraged to contact SABS in Appendix A. RSOs that have a bank account with SABS must submit a Banking Contract each academic year, along with their RSO Advisor’s signature. The contract is effective from the date it is approved by SABS and expires on June 30th. The organization must be an active RSO under Section 2.2.

Services Include:

• Organizational banking (deposits, payments, withdrawals, reimbursements)
• Accounting instruction
• Event/Program support
• Budget advice
• Electronic banking platform

RSO Benefits of Banking with SABS:

• No minimum balance or service fees
• Competitive interest rates
• Event supplies and equipment
• In-person and virtual meetings
• Collection of payments electronically (e.g., dues, event tickets)

Note: Storrs Tier-II RSOs are strongly encouraged to establish an account with SABS.

Student Governing Groups as a Funding Resource. Most of the governance TSOs successfully support thousands of events and activities from hundreds of different RSOs with financial assistance. To apply for funding from a TSO governance group:

1. Your RSO must be an active Tier-II RSO on the respective campus, paying the respective Student Activity fee;
2. Any other eligibility requirements stated by your respective TSO.

For more information, please reach out to your respective campus governance TSO.

Insurance. RSOs are not insured by the University of Connecticut. RSOs wishing to obtain insurance coverage for the activities of their members can purchase insurance independent of the University by contacting an insurance agency.

Contracts. Since RSOs are independent entities, the University does not review, approve, or assume responsibility for contracts entered into by RSOs with third-parties. Student leaders signing agreements on behalf of their RSO should carefully consider personal responsibility and potential liability. The University does not provide legal support or counsel for contract arrangements between an RSO and third parties. See section 1.2 for more information.

If you have questions about contracts or insurance, please contact OffCampusEvents@uconn.edu.

RSO leaders planning to travel off-campus for events are strongly encouraged to connect with their respective RSO Advisors to engage in discussions regarding the specifics and ensuring they consider risks and develop strategies for risk mitigation. Further, RSOs have access to the Off-Campus Activity Advising (OCAA) process (Storrs Only) as a notification system and educational resource to support RSOs in risk mitigation and pre-trip planning.

Notification forms can be found here: https://solid.uconn.edu/off-campus-advising/. RSO student leaders should submit their plans to hold off-campus events/activities – at least 14 days (2 weeks) in advance. Questions can be directed to OffCampusEvents@uconn.edu.

Note on USG Funding (Storrs Campus only): While the OCAA process is not a required approval process, the USG Funding Process requires a notification form to be submitted with a RSOs USG funding request form.

Traveling Internationally: Additionally, RSOs traveling internationally should adhere to the UConn Student International Travel Policy and notify Global Affairs prior to their travel.  

Only ACTIVE RSOs can reserve space on campus. Only SOLID-required officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) listed on UConntact can reserve tabling, meeting, or event space on behalf of their RSO. Reservation requirements and timelines are at the discretion of the departments/offices that oversee facility use. Please note: RSOs are eligible to request space at any UConn Campus, but if the RSO is not primarily based at that campus, the RSO may be required to complete additional training and documents prior to using spaces.

Please see below for how to reserve spaces at each campus:

A.   Storrs Campus

All RSO reservations are handled by the Student Union Event Services Staff. Visit https://studentunion.uconn.edu/event-services/ to learn more. RSO leaders should consult with the Student Union’s Event Planning Tools, including the U-Guide, before submitting an event request form: https://studentunion.uconn.edu/event-planning-tools/

B.   Stamford Campus

At the Stamford Campus, requests are handled by Student Activities. For information or to reserve space should be made through our online Event Registration Form at  https://studentactivities.stamford.uconn.edu/rso-resources/

All events, whether in-person, virtual, or off-campus, should be submitted to the Event Registration form. The Student Activities Coordinator will respond to the request within 48 business hours. Please feel free to visit https://conferences.stamford.uconn.edu for more information regarding spaces on campus.

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 RSOs to utilize regarding all things event planning and how to properly use campus spaces/facilities.

C.   Hartford Campus

To book spaces on the Hartford campus, please visit the space reservation form found at https://events.hartford.uconn.edu/intake-form/. Please click “student organization” and complete the following information regarding your space requests. After submitting your form, a coordinator from UConn Hartford Campus Event Services will reach out to you.

D.   Avery Point Campus

At Avery Point, you can check space availability with Student Activities by emailing Randall.paterson@uconn.edu.

E.   Waterbury Campus

Request can be directed to the Student Activities staff at https://waterbury.uconn.edu/uconn-waterbury-campus-event-request-form/. Once submitted, the student leader planning this event should schedule an appointment to review this with the Student Activities Coordinator to further discuss the request.

F.   Law School

To request space, please review the Event Planning Guide here: https://law.uconn.edu/about/events/event-planning-2/event-planning-guide/

RSOs may only use University Marks, including without limitation, Official UConn Logo(s), in accordance with the Guidelines for Use of University Logos & Trademarks available at https://brand.uconn.edu/guidelines-usage/usage-by-student-organizations. The Branding Policy can be found here: https://policy.uconn.edu/2015/01/29/university-logo-and-trademark/

If an RSO wants to create their own design and/or use “UConn” in it, the Office of Brand Partnerships and Trademark Management should be contacted for review prior. University official Logos and Words cannot be altered, and your own design needs to be uniquely different from Current and Past logos. The use of official University trademarks and logos by RSOs is strictly prohibited and an RSOs use may impact an RSOs status on campus.

For more information, including where to submit requests:

https://brand.uconn.edu/applying-the-brand/branded-merchandise/#student-orgs

RSOs are responsible for the content they promote. See Section 1.2 for the University’s Relationship Statement on free expression and organizational independence.

General Campus Posting Policy: 

UConn’s Posting Policy aims “to ensure the responsible and effective use of bulletin boards and other areas designated for the posting of Flyers, prevent littering and the defacing of or damage to University property” (University Policies, 2024). All information regarding posting flyers on the Storrs and Regional campuses can be found here: https://policy.uconn.edu/2024/06/28/posting-policy/.

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

UConn Hartford, Stamford, or Waterbury also has the option to advertise events through a Digital Signage System:

• For Hartford, visit: hartford.uconn.edu/digital-signage/submission-form/
• For Stamford, visit:  https://studentactivities.stamford.uconn.edu/marketing-and-publicity-guide/
• For Waterbury, please contact the SA Staff listed in Appendix A.

Rock Painting Guide:

The tradition of rock painting at UConn has served as a vehicle for the free exchange of ideas and opinions while providing an outlet to express school spirit, demonstrate pride in RSOs, and promote various campus events and activities. See more here: https://solid.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/471/2024/05/Rock-Painting-Policy-Revised-F23.pdf

RSOs may request a webpage on the UConn domain. Information on requesting an RSO webpage can be found here: https://solid.uconn.edu/website-request-form/. RSOs that choose to have a website with a UConn domain, must comply with Accessibility and Brand Standards.