The Center for Student Involvement is located on the third floor of the Bryant Center, and it is responsible for providing support to the more than sixty student clubs and organizations on campus. Each year, the staff also coordinates the following programs: Orientation, Bryant Experience, Homecoming, Parents & Family Weekend (in conjunction with the Student Senate). Major student organizations (The Archway, Commuter Connection, Ledger, Student Programming Board, Student Senate, WJMF Radio Station) are also advised by the staff of the Center for Student Involvement.

In addition to the leadership opportunities available through clubs and organizations, the Center for Student Involvement staff coordinates such programs as the Leadership Development Series and an all-campus recognition dinner for clubs and organizations. Students are also strongly encouraged to become involved in community service, and each year our office coordinates such projects as blood drives, the Alternative Spring Break trip, Helping Hands, and many others.

For more information, contact the Center for Student Involvement at 232-6160.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

There are three categories of student organizations at Bryant University: agent organizations, governing organizations, and independent student organizations.

Agent Organizations

Agent organizations are student organizations that are directly supervised by University officials and serve a paraprofessional role in support of the mission and goals of Bryant University, e.g., Resident Assistant staff, Orientation Leaders, and the Bryant Experience staff. These organizations are an extension of the administration of Bryant University.

Governing Organizations

Governing organizations are independent organizations that are advised by University officials and serve as recognized representatives of the student body and its organizations to the University administration, e.g., the Student Senate, Student Programming Board, Commuter Connection, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Student Presidents Advisory Council (SPAC), and media organizations. These organizations are independent of Bryant University, but since they have functions delegated to them by Bryant, they are directly supervised by the University in the exercise of these functions.

Independent Organizations

Independent student organizations are student organizations that are primarily composed of Bryant University students and annually recognized by the Center for Student Involvement. They are required to have a faculty/staff advisor who is a member of the Bryant community. These organizations are subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of Bryant University when operating on University-owned property, or at an event cosponsored with the University off campus. All campus organizations are responsible for adhering to the policies and procedures in the Resource Guide for Student Clubs and Organizations. Additionally, all organizations are subject to University discipline when their off-campus independent activities have a negative impact on the educational mission of the University. For more information on these or other organizations, call the Center for Student Involvement at 232-6160.

STUDENT PRESIDENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL (SPAC)

A group of student leaders chaired by the Vice President of the Student Senate, SPAC provides an intermediary communication link between the Student Senate and all clubs/student-operated organizations. SPAC serves as a reliable source for distributing information and sponsoring workshops, and seminars concerning budgets, student policies, fundraisers, and other related topics.

STUDENT PROGRAMMING BOARD

The Student Programming Board (SPB) is responsible for programming a variety of social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities for the entire Bryant community. The organization’s primary goal is to enhance campus life through the presentation of quality and diverse entertainment. SPB is the center of student entertainment and is responsible for the planning and sponsoring the campus activities such as: on-campus movies, cultural events, comedy shows, bands, lectures, theme weekends, novelty programs, concerts, trips.

All students are encouraged to participate in the planning and implementation of SPB programs.

STUDENT SENATE

The Bryant University Student Senate is the governing body for all students and for most student organizations and clubs. It serves as a channel of communication between the student body and the faculty and administration of the University. The Student Senate provides a spectrum of services and activities to the Bryant community.  It comprises of numerous committees to examine the problems and needs of students, and strives to initiate action to meet these needs. In addition, the Student Senate, through the Ways and Means Committee, is responsible for allocating and monitoring the use of the student activity fee paid by all full-time undergraduate students.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES

Request for Recognition

A student group desiring recognition as an organization by Bryant University must submit a written proposal to be approved by the Student Senate and the Director of the Center for Student Involvement. A student group desiring recognition as a sports club must submit a written proposal to be approved by the Student Senate in conjunction with the Director of Club Sports/Athletics Department and the Director of the Center for Student Involvement. A student group desiring recognition as a fraternity or sorority must submit a written proposal to be approved by the appropriate Greek governing body, as well as the Center for Student Involvement and the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

The process to request recognition as a student organization is as follows:

1. Meet with the Director of the Center for Student Involvement to discuss your proposed group.
2. Submit a proposed constitution and list of currently enrolled Bryant University students who are interested in becoming members to the Vice President of the Student Senate and the Director of the Center for Student Involvement. The proposed constitution and list of interested students must be submitted a minimum of one week prior to the Student Senate meeting at which the group wishes the proposal to be considered.
3. A minimum of five currently enrolled full-time Bryant University students must indicate interest in order for the group to request recognition.
4. Each proposed group must have an advisor who is a member of the Bryant University faculty or staff.
5. The proposed constitution will be reviewed and voted on by the members of the Student Senate.
6. If passed by the Student Senate, the constitution will then be approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. If approved, the group becomes a fully recognized student organization.

In order to be recognized by the University, all organizations must include the following statements in their constitution:

Membership is open to all interested Bryant students.

All meetings are open to the Bryant community.

Groups seeking recognition that are affiliated with a nationally-recognized organization may be allowed to limit their membership, pending the approval of the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee.

Students who pledge, join, accept membership, or affiliate in any way with a former fraternity or sorority whose recognition has been withdrawn by the University are in violation of University policy and are subject to disciplinary action. This disciplinary action may range from probation status to University suspension.

All social fraternities and sororities must be nationally affiliated to be recognized by the University.

The University, through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, reserves the right to deny recognition to any student organization whose stated aims and/or objectives are not consistent with those of Bryant University. The Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students may revoke an existing organization’s recognition whenever due cause for said revocation can be clearly demonstrated. All student organizations are required to maintain a current Student Organization Registration Form with the Office of Student Activities, along with an updated constitution at the beginning of each academic year. This form must be updated each time new officers are elected or a new faculty/staff advisor is chosen.

The act of recognition implies that a student organization obligates itself to abide by all the rules and regulations of the University pertaining to student organizations. These rules and regulations are specified throughout this manual and other University publications. In addition, members and officers agree to comply with all academic rules and regulations of the University and recognize that violation of any University policies or interference with University functions is grounds for disciplinary action against the organization and its members.

Recognition or the ability to use the name “Bryant University” does not imply or indicate Bryant University sponsorship or approval of the activities of the organization.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION FINANCES

Student organizations requesting funding from the University may do so through the Student Senate Ways and Means committee each spring semester for the upcoming fiscal year. All funds for student clubs and organizations must be kept within the University’s budgetary system; no off-campus accounts will be permitted. Expenditure of these funds is subject to state, University and Student Senate Ways and Means guidelines and procedures.

POLICIES GOVERNING CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

All activities held on Bryant University property including raffles, lotteries, and fund-raising events, must be approved by the Office of Student Activities. Although the general policy holds, separate guidelines exist regarding activities held in the Townhouses, Residence Halls, Bryant Center, and Alumni House. The specific policies can be obtained from the administrators responsible for those areas. More detailed general policies may be obtained from the Center for Student Involvement. Please refer to the Resource Guide for Student Clubs and Organizations.

1. Conditions For Approval of activities:

a.  Assurance that all University regulations, local, state and federal laws concerning fire and safety regulations, necessary security, and conduct will be followed.

b.  Indication that the activity is consistent with the purposes and constitution of the sponsoring organization.

c.  Availability of financial resources on the part of the sponsoring organization if the event is a financial failure or if property damage occurs.

d.  Assurance that no group or individual will accrue private financial gain from sponsorship of the event.  

2.  Damage/theft Responsibility. Any damage, theft, and/or abuse of facilities immediately before, during and after the event, is the responsibility of the sponsor(s).

3.  Facility Cleanup. It is the responsibility of the sponsor(s) to leave the facility in a satisfactory condition after each event, as determined by the University.

4.  Financial Responsibility. The sponsor(s) assumes complete financial responsibility for any theft or damage or abuse to the facilities immediately before, during, and after the event.

5.  Fees. Appropriate fees will be assessed for rentals services, and maintenance.

6.  Activities sponsored by outside group. Events must be related to the general mission and function of the University or be a community-service function. These events will generally not be held while classes are in session. Coordination for outside groups is done through the Conference Office.

SCHEDULING ACTIVITIES

1.  Any recognized student organization wishing to sponsor activities that require the use of University facilities must initiate its request with the Center for Student Involvement.

2.  Any office or department wishing to sponsor activities that require the use of University facilities must initiate its request with the Central Scheduling Coordinator in the Conference Office, or with the Bryant Center Operations Office if the event is to be held in the Bryant Center.

3.  Student organizations wishing to sponsor activities must complete an Event Planning Form, signed by the appropriate offices, at least two weeks prior to the event. A ten-day notice is required if maintenance or dining services are required. Once approved by the Center for Student Involvement, the form must be submitted to the Central Scheduling Coordinator in order for space to be assigned.

4.  Activities requiring setups (tables, staging, and/or facilities staff) must be scheduled a minimum of two weeks (10 working days) prior to the event. This will be strictly enforced.

5.  The authority for determining the availability of space rests with the Central Scheduling Coordinator and the Bryant Center Operations Office.

6.  If a dining areas are desired and/or food is needed, the sponsoring group is responsible for making all necessary arrangements with dining services at least two weeks (10 working days) in advance.

7.  If it becomes necessary for the sponsoring group to cancel an activity, it is their responsibility to notify the Central Scheduling Coordinator or the Bryant Center Operations Office immediately. Otherwise, the sponsoring group may be charged for the expenses incurred in preparing for the activity.

POLICY ON DAMAGES    

1.  It is a condition of use of Bryant University facilities that the sponsoring group or organization will be held financially and judicially responsible for any damages that may result from the actions of persons attending that event.

2.  It is the sponsoring organization’s responsibility to take necessary precautions and provide necessary control over its own function so as to prevent damages or other such incidents from occurring. University Public Safety will be used as a reinforcement for serious situations.

UNIVERSITY POLICY ON TRIPS

1. Private or commercial trips may not be advertised in University facilities or on bulletin boards without the permission of the Director of the Center for Student Involvement or the Director of Residence Life. Advertising flyers may not be placed under residence hall doors or on car windshields.
2. Registered student organizations may use University facilities and bulletin boards to advertise trips. However, the University does not imply its sponsorship of such trips by allowing the use of its facilities for advertisement purposes only.
3. Student organization trips are registered by the Center for Student Involvement, Office of Residence Life, Department of Athletics, or other appropriate University office.
4. Students have no authority to contract for trips or travel arrangements on behalf of Bryant University. The Director of the Center for Student Involvement, Director of Residence Life, and Director of Athletics are the authorized agents of the University in this regard. Trips conducted against this policy by students or student organizations are not considered official University organization travel, and the sponsoring organization may have some or all of its privileges as an organization revoked. Individual students organizing such unauthorized trips may also be subject to disciplinary action.
5. Student organization advisors must notify the Department of Public Safety of buses coming onto campus to pick up students. Advisors must indicate time and location of arrival.

BRYANT CENTER POLICIES FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Decorations

Groups reserving space who wish to decorate an area for a program must abide by the following: All decorations must be removable and not considered permanent. Decorations can only be affixed to non-painted surfaces with non-marking masking tape (not scotch tape, tacks, staples, nails, etc.). Sponsoring organizations are to remove decorations immediately following an event. The failure to remove decorations could result in a loss of space-reservation privileges. Groups must adhere to current fire regulations that may apply to materials such as flameproofing, etc.

Scheduling

Scheduling of Bryant Center facilities will be handled by Bryant Center Operations. All reservations must be made by or through recognized campus organizations. Reservations must be scheduled three (3) working days in advance for a meeting and two (2) weeks in advance of a program or event. Reservations that require variances from the policies contained here must be submitted three (3) weeks in advance with a variance request attached to the reservation. It is the responsibility of the individuals who have reserved the conference room to clean them before they leave.

Conference Rooms

No regular day/evening academic classes or class-related seminar/workshops/presentations may be scheduled in the Bryant Center. Recognized student organizations have priority on the reservation of space Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Organizations that hold regular weekly meetings may apply to Bryant Center Operations for meeting space each spring. Reservations will remain in effect for a full year unless groups do not adhere to Bryant Center policies or leave rooms in unsatisfactory condition.

Lounges

Lounge areas are common areas that can be reserved for special programs.

Patio (Bryant Center)

The front patio area can be reserved for an approved event. The sponsoring organization is responsible for any additional costs related to the event such as maintenance and an electrician.

Violations

Organizations reserving space are financially responsible for damages incurred to facilities during their use. Groups that do not abide by Bryant Center policies risk loss of scheduling privileges for at least fifteen (15) weeks for any repeated violations. Violations of policy may result in other disciplinary action. Recognized organizations will not be charged rental fees for use of facilities. However, they may incur costs for services beyond those normally provided by the University. Expenses may also be incurred for failure to adhere to specified regulations.

Services, Food, and Beverages

Student organizations that hold meetings in the Bryant Center will be allowed to bring in snack items to be served during their meetings. The organization is responsible for leaving the room cleaned and removing trash. All other food services will be handled according to University policy.

Advertising

The Bryant Center provides specific bulletin boards, showcases, and display cases for the purpose of allowing student organizations and campus groups to publicize and promote special programs. All postings must be in accordance with the University Poster, Paint and Sign Policy. Groups not in compliance will be sanctioned.

Display Cases/Advertising

All postings require approval by Bryant Center Operations and are stamped with a tear-down date of two weeks from submission. There is a maximum of one poster per display case per event. Postings not stamped will be removed. A total of eight (8) posters/flyers may be submitted to the Operations Office for posting. Five will be displayed in the Bryant Center and three will be displayed in the Rotunda display cases. Organizations wishing to display larger banners should bring them to the Operations Office to be stamped and approved. Large banners can only be taped to the outside of the windows of the north and south foyers only. Additional information may be obtained in the Office of Bryant Center Operations.

Showcases

The showcase at the Information Desk can be reserved by student organizations. The showcase is requested through a reservation process at the Bryant Center Operations Office. Reservations are required two (2) weeks prior to use and will be for a period of two (2) weeks for the showcase. Organizations may reserve the showcase for a maximum of twice per semester, but these requests cannot be consecutive. Each group is responsible for design, setup and cleanup of the showcase. Failure to follow reservation procedures will result in loss of privilege for at least fifteen (15) weeks.

Selling and Solicitation

The Bryant Center adheres to and enforces the University solicitation policy. Space for sale of items or the distribution of information will be available in the commons of the Bryant Center. There will be a maximum of four, 8-foot spaces per day.

All vendors must be sponsored by a recognized student organization or a University office/department. Sponsors are limited to one vendor space at any given time and four vendor spaces per semester. Each request shall be for a maximum of three days. Reservations of space will made be through the Office of Bryant Center Operations.

Vendors from off campus may be sponsored and must adhere to the Bryant Center solicitation policy or risk the ability to return to campus. An off-campus vendor may be sponsored a maximum of two times per semester per student group or organization. Variances to this policy can be submitted to the Director of Bryant Center Operations and the Director of Center for Student Involvement.

The sponsoring organization is responsible for all aspects of vendor space including but not limited to: setup, breakdown, cleanup, explanation of policies to off-campus vendors, and collection of monies. In addition, the name of the sponsoring organization is to be prominently displayed at the vendor location.

Office Space

Organizations must apply annually to the Bryant Center Operations to keep office space in the Bryant Center. Criteria for determining who receives office space includes:

1. Who the club serves, nature of the constituency

2. Numbers served

3. Use of office

4. Abides by lease

All groups holding offices must sign a lease that explains policies related to offices. This lease is issued by the Office of Bryant Center Operations, and it specifies all conditions that must be met for the organization to keep office space in the Bryant Center. Additional information on specific policies governing office space may be obtained in the Office of Bryant Center Operations.

PROGRAMMING/GETTING INVOLVED

Programming involves groups of residents joining together for social, educational, and cultural purposes. It is intended to provide opportunities to have fun and to learn about life skills, lifestyles, and other residents outside the classroom. Resident Assistants and Hall Government sponsor a variety of programs, both for individual residence halls and campus-wide. These programmers welcome your ideas and involvement.

Hall Council

All Residence Halls/Areas have a Hall Council. Representatives from each floor are elected to attend meetings to discuss residential living issues.

Bryant Experience

Bryant Experience is a program designed to aid in the adjustment of new students to the University, and is open to all first-year, transfer, international, and commuter students. Regularly scheduled events will focus on learning academic survival skills, expanding cultural awareness, career planning, etc. A highlight of the program is involvement with an upper-class student, and staff mentors, and faculty advisors, as well as an annual community service program.