My Iona

Clubs and Organizations

All student clubs at Iona University fall under the oversight of the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Office of Student Development.

The SGA is composed of elected student representatives, class senators, and organizational senators/club presidents. The SGA aims to enhance the educational experience of each student, and is based on the belief that a complete education extends beyond the academic program. Also, the SGA maintains that this development can be attained through active involvement in student clubs/organizations, founded on the principles of cooperation, concern, leadership and service. It also provides a means of effective communication between the students, faculty and administration. The student officers and student members of a campus club/organization have full responsibility for the observance of all College policies, resolutions and community, state and federal laws governing the various activities of the group. The University does not authorize, protect, defend or assume responsibility for violations of public or private rights by students or student groups by reason of irresponsible conduct. Such conduct, on or off campus, may subject the students and/or the club/organization to College disciplinary proceedings.

All clubs/organizations, through their presidents or their designees, must complete the appropriate registration process at the start of each semester by the specified date and return the official forms to the Office of Student Development. Continued recognition of a campus club/organization is contingent upon completion of these forms, as well as that club/organization operating in accordance with the other guidelines set forth in the SGA Constitution and this Handbook, the Student Leadership Resource Manual, Fraternity and Sorority Life Handbook, and throughout the year by the University. Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing in order to be active members of a campus club/organization.

A PERSON WHO IS NOT AN ENROLLED STUDENT MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITY UNLESS IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IN ADDITION, NO STUDENT MAY JOIN A COLLEGE-BANNED GROUP/GROUP NO LONGER RECOGNIZED BY THE UNIVERSITY. A STUDENT MAY ONLY JOIN A FORMERLY RECOGNIZED STUDENT GROUP (NOT BANNED) WITH THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE OFFICE OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT.

Student clubs/organizations are primarily for full-time undergraduate students. Executive board members must be full-time undergraduate students. At times, because of the nature of various clubs/organizations, membership may be opened to other enrolled Iona University students in good standing. All members and officers of student groups must maintain the necessary requirements including but not limited to good academic and disciplinary standing.

The following are some of the rights and privileges that are extended to each campus club/organization upon, and only upon, it’s official recognition by the SGA and the University. An officially recognized club/organization’s failure to maintain good standing may result in the suspension or termination of any or all of these rights and privileges:

  • to reserve campus facilities through the Office of Student Development, all procedures must be followed;
  • to have its events listed in various calendars, schedules and on message boards;
  • to post or distribute authorized publicity on the campus with approval from OSD;
  • to reserve and use table space on the campus for the sale or distribution of materials;
  • to reserve rooms for meetings;
  • to obtain permission to use the LaPenta Student Union and other facilities after normal closing hours;
  • to purchase catering services through the University’s Food Service at discounted student prices;
  • to have buildings unlocked and locked, for approved events, by the Campus Safety and Security Department;
  • to be assigned use of a club locker in the Club Hub of the LaPenta Student Union;
  • to follow applicable procedures for a cubicle, or office space in the LaPenta Student Union;
  • to have representation on the SGA Legislature, Gaels Activities Board, Council for Greek Governance, Student Leader Alliance for Multiculturalism if applicable, or Student Media Board if applicable; and
  • to be eligible for SGA and/or Student Development allocations.
  • to have an opportunity to be recognized for exemplary work and service.

All student club/organizations are required to meet the required criteria outlined in this Handbook in order to be a registered and recognized student organization and to remain in good standing. In addition, members of the club/organization must agree to comply with all College policies outlined in this Handbook, the Student Leader Resource Manual, and set by the Office of Student Development and Student Government Association, to remain in good standing. Clubs/Organizations will forfeit their rights and privileges as a student recognized group if a violation of College policy occurs.

Student officers of student groups, clubs, and organizations may be held personally responsible for club Code of Conduct violations in addition to group sanctions.

The University has the right to place any of, but not limited to, the following sanctions on student clubs/organizations for the violation of College policies and/or not meeting the requirements necessary to maintain good standing:

  • Social Probation – Club/Organization will have restrictions placed on their funding, the type of activities they can sponsor and the use of facilities at the discretion of the Assistant Vice-Provost for Student Development. This probationary period will last for a limited period of time.
  • Recognition Suspended – Club/Organization will be placed on at least one semester of inactivity. This prohibits the club/organization from receiving any funding, sponsoring events and voting in the SGA, GAB, Council for Greek Governance, and/ or the Student Leader Alliance for Multiculturalism legislatures.
  • Recognition Terminated – Club/Organization is permanently not recognized by the University and loses all rights and privileges granted to student groups. When applicable, Greek organizations are not permitted to wear letters on campus as a result of this sanction. If a local fraternity or sorority has its recognition terminated, the group will not be permitted to be re-established on campus, regardless of the reason for loss of this recognition.

Additional sanctions for all of the above may be applied. All incidents are handled on a case to case basis.