Frequently Asked Questions
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Campus Rules for Student Organizations
Co-Sponsorship with an Off-Campus Person/Entity
Hazing
Raffles
Sexual Harassment or Discrimination
Student Organization Travel
Trademarks and Copyrights
Campus Rules for Student Organizations
What campus rules apply to my student organization?
We recommend that you refer to the Student Organization Manual to find great information about student organization responsibilities, policies, and resources that can help your organization tremendously! The Student Organization Manual has information on fundraising, event planning, effective organizations, publicity, risk management, advisors and banking. Registered student organizations are responsible for all of the Institutional Rules that apply to student organizations, including policies related to assembly and expression on campus.
Co-Sponsorship
Can my student organization cosponsor an on-campus event with an off-campus business or organization?
No! Because of the limited space on campus for the use of students, faculty, and staff, student organizations are not allowed to cosponsor on-campus events with off-campus businesses or organizations. An event is illegally cosponsored if it depends on an off-campus person or organization for planning, staffing, or management of the event; if it advertises the event as cosponsored by an off-campus person or organization; if it operates as an agent of, or for the benefit of an off-campus person or organization (except for the solicitation of charitable contributions); reserves a room or space for the use of an off-campus person or organization; or engages in any other behavior that persuades the dean of students that an off-campus person or organization is in fact responsible for the event, in full or substantial part.
Hazing
What is hazing? The informative web site, stophazing.org, defines hazing in this way:
"Hazing" refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. In years past, hazing practices were typically considered harmless pranks or comical antics associated with young men in college fraternities. Today we know that hazing extends far beyond college fraternities and is experienced by boys/men and girls/women in school groups, university organizations, athletic teams, the military, and other social and professional organizations. Hazing is a complex social problem that is shaped by power dynamics operating in a group and/or organization and within a particular cultural context.
How do I report a hazing incident?
Any member or advisor of a student organization who has knowledge of hazing or is being hazed can report an incident involving a student organization to the Office of the Dean of Students either on-line at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/complaint.php or by calling 512-471-3065.
What are some examples of hazing?
Some examples of hazing are if you and/or members of your new member class are required to do one or more of the following:
- calisthenics, such as sit-ups or push-ups
- expose total or partial nudity
- eat an unwanted substance
- wear something obscene
- carry something that is too heavy
- be pushed, shoved or paddled (or trade swats with a paddle)
- consume alcoholic beverages due to threats or peer pressure
- allow substances (oil, syrup, flour) to be thrown on or at you
- line up and be intimidated, interrogated or demeaned
- participate in transportation and abandonment (road trips, kidnaps)
- be confined in an area which is uncomfortable or dangerous
- act as a servant to someone else
- participate in pranks (theft, harassing other people)
- clean up a house or room that has been intentionally messed up to be cleaned
- be called demeaning names and/or yelled and screamed at
- fight with others for entertainment
Raffles
Are student organizations at UT permitted to hold raffles?
Yes. Student organizations may conduct raffles on campus for qualified off-campus organizations. Any organization conducting a raffle on campus must complete a table application and follow university ticketing procedures. For further information on raffles, refer to http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sald/bank/raffles.php or contact Student Activities and Leadership Development (SSB 4.104).
What information must be included on a raffle ticket?
Each raffle ticket must state the name and address of the organization holding the raffle, the name of an officer of the organization, the price of the ticket, and a general description of each prize to be awarded that has a value of over $10. A prize may not be money.
Who may sell raffle tickets?
Only members of a registered student organization may sell tickets. No one may be compensated directly or indirectly for organizing or conducting a raffle or for selling raffle tickets.
Sexual Discrimination or Harassment
How do I report sexual discrimination, including a sexual harassment incident?
Contact LaToya Hill, Coordinator of Student Emergency Services, at 471-5017. When calling to schedule an appointment, if you tell the staff member who answers the phone that you have a question or concern about sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct, an effort will be made to schedule the meeting as soon as possible. For more information please refer to http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sh/. Students can also report any such concerns to Linda Millstone, Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Workforce Diversity & Director of Equal Opportunity Services, at 471-1849.
Student Organization Travel
Can my organization require members to travel to an event or activity?
Registered student organizations are reminded that generally travel should not be required of the organization's members unless it is fundamental to the purpose of the organization or otherwise critical to its mission or goals. Some examples of travel that may be fundamental to the organization's purpose or critical to its mission may include, but are not limited to, debate teams, sport clubs, and organizations that are organized in large part for the purpose of engaging in state, regional, or national academic or athletic competitions.
When is travel by a student organization considered required?
Required travel can be generally defined as travel that is mandated by the organization and for which there may be significant consequences imposed on a student member for not participating in the travel such as not being allowed to join the organization, being removed from the organization, or being penalized by the organization.
When does the UT travel policy apply for registered student organizations?
If a registered student organization requires its student members to travel to any activity or event that occurs more than twenty-five (25) miles away from the University campus, certain requirements must be met and an authorized representative must contact SALD to schedule a one-on-one travel consultation to assist the group in planning the event and complete appropriate travel documents.
When does the UT travel policy apply for sponsored student organizations?
Sponsored Student Organizations at the University of Texas are required to complete the necessary travel documentation in order to proceed with any travel more than 25 miles away from the University campus. Visit the Vice President for Student Affairs Web site to learn more about the policy and to download the necessary forms: http://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa/travel/.
Trademarks and Copyrights
Who may use a trademark or copyright owned by the University?
In 1981 The Board of Regents of the UT System established a licensing program to protect its name and identifying marks. The University of Texas at Austin is a trademark of The Board of Regents and can only be used by organizations that are officially sponsored by a university academic or administrative department.
What are examples of trademarks or logos owned by the University?
Trademarks include but are not limited to the following: The University of Texas at Austin™, The University of Texas®, University of Texas®, Texas®, Longhorns®, UT™, seal design, tower design, Hook em Horns®, Bevo®, Lady Longhorns®, interlocking UT, block T, Longhorn Silhouette, running mascot caricature, longhorn caricature, Helmet logo, Texas w/ longhorn design, Hook 'em hand sign, Hook 'em™, Get Hook™, Horns™. Further information on trademarked graphics can be found at UT's Visual Guidelines site, which has several pages devoted to Graphic Elements.
Can a registered student organization use a University trademark or logo?
Registered student organizations that are not "officially sponsored" by an academic or administrative unit of the university may not use the name of The University of Texas at Austin, an abbreviation of the name, or any of its trademarks or logos in its name. However, a registered student organization may use words such as "campus", "university", "Texas chapter", or "Austin" as part of its name.
Can a registered student organization use a trademark or logo of an off-campus for-profit or non-profit organization?
No. Registered student organizations are not allowed to use trademarks or logos owned by commercial entities in conjunction with any activity promoted or conducted on campus. This includes, but is not limited to using the logos on: flyers, posters or banners.
How does a sponsored student organization gain permission to use a trademark or logo?
Officially Sponsored student organizations that wish to use the university's trademark or service mark must gain permission from the Office of Trademark and Licensing. Officially Sponsored organizations can apply for permission to use university trademarked images/logos by completing the Student and Internal Request Form (pdf). Please complete this form and return it to the Office of Trademark Licensing, 2100 Speedway, Mail Code: B6900, phone: 475-7923, fax: 232-7080. They can be contacted at 475-7923 for any additional questions, or you can visit their Web site.
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