The mission of the Center for Campus Involvement is committed to creating transformative experiences, a vibrant community, and lifelong memories for University of Michigan students. We aim to create policies and procedures that develop this mission while still maintaining strong and realistic goals for our student organization community.
One of these policies includes the “10 member rule” that states that all organizations must have ten currently enrolled student members in order to be recognized by the University. This policy was established and confirmed after benchmarking best practices with peer institutions and evaluating the best use of university resources. The policy aims to encourage collaboration and connection between students to fulfill organization missions and goals. A minimum number of members also creates an organization that can grow and sustain itself on our campus.
However, we note that some organizations may help to create a dynamic community within our University but may have difficulties meeting this ten member qualification. As an office, we are committed to supporting the establishment of new organizations and the maintenance of those already in existence.
In the case that an organization has made demonstrated efforts to meet the ten member requirement but has not been able to meet it, they can meet with the Manager for Student Development to submit a memo detailing how the group will enhance the student organization community.
Upon meeting with the Manager for Student Development, the group will develop a member recruitment plan. In order to assist with recruitment a group will be provided with access to student organization services such as:
- Access to a conference room
- Digital advertising space through the Student Organization Resource Center
- Opportunity to participate in an upcoming Fest event (Northfest, or Winterfest) given that space is available
- Reservations in the Michigan Union Underground or on the Central Campus Diag for tabling purposes
Throughout the process, the group will have the opportunity to meet with the Manager to determine success and define new opportunities for growth.
If a group has taken advantage of at least two of the services above and has still been unable to recruit the ten required members, an exception will be granted for the organization. The group will meet with the Manager for Student Development prior to each registration cycle in which they do not anticipate the ability to provide a ten member roster. They will work together to continue to define future success and plans for the organization.
Documentation of exceptions will be on record in Maize Pages with the Center for Campus Involvement.