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  UT Home -> Office of the Dean of Students -> Student Activities -> Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Student Activities

Phone: 512-471-3065 | Fax: 512-471-6273

What services does Student Activities (SA) offer?
Student Activities supports and encourages involvement in campus life while broadening student impact on the UT Austin community. Student Activities staff assist registered student organizations with a wide array of issues, including program safety, risk management, conflict resolution, training, recruitment, organizational management and interpreting university policies.

Student Activities coordinates all outdoor space reservations for registered student organizations and departments. Additionally, Student Activities staff coordinates general-purpose classroom reservations; banner space on the West Mall and Speedway; A-Frame reservations on campus; event planning assistance; and services offered by the Student Organization Center (SOC) for registered student organizations.

How can I find out what student organizations are registered at UT Austin?
Over 1,100 student organizations are registered with Student Activities. Search the student organization database for organizations that match your interests.

All registered student organizations self-identify into one of the following categories:

How can I start a student organization?
A group of three or more currently enrolled students may form a registered student organization by obtaining an application from the Student Organization Center (SOC) and following these simple steps:

  • Complete and submit a registration application packet and pay a $10 registration fee;
  • Participate in a new organization orientation session.
  • Limit registered student organization membership to UT Austin students, faculty and staff;
  • Do not deny membership on any basis prohibited by applicable law, including but not limited to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression;
  • Agree to conduct organization affairs in accordance with UT Austin's Institutional Rules;
  • Applications are processed approximately two weeks after submission of completed forms and attendance of a new organization orientation session.

What is the Student Organization Center?
Directly across from the elevators on the fourth floor of the Student Services Building, the Student Organization Center (SOC) provides a centrally located workspace for registered student organizations, near Student Activities and within the Office of the Dean of Students suite. Registered student organizations may lease office, cubicle and locker space in the SOC (available by application in the spring). Mailboxes, fax services, sign posting, an electric typewriter, general use phone, paper cutter, computers and a printer are also available.

What leadership opportunities exist on campus?

There are many ways to contribute to the campus community and make your mark at UT Austin. Visit the Student Activities Campus Leadership Opportunities page or the DoS Leadership Development page to learn more.

What campus rules apply to my student organization?
For helpful information on student organization responsibilities, policies and resources, please utilize the Student Activities Web site, which includes information on fundraising, event planning, creating an effective organization, publicity, risk management and registered student organization advisers. It is the responsibility of all registered student organizations to become familiar and comply with all of the Institutional Rules that apply to registered student organizations, including policies related to assembly and expression on campus.

What is hazing? How do I report a hazing incident?
The law defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution.

State law and university policy require that you contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 512-471-5017 to report a hazing incident. You may also report a hazing incident online.

Can my student organization co-sponsor an on-campus event with an off-campus business or organization?
No! Space on campus available for use by students, faculty and staff is limited, so student organizations are not permitted to co-sponsor on-campus events with off-campus businesses or organizations. An event is illegally co-sponsored if it: depends on an off-campus person or organization for planning, staffing or management of the event; advertises the event as co-sponsored by an off-campus person or organization; 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.

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