Student Organization Registration

RSO Re-Recognition/ Registration

• RSO - Registered Student Organization

• Registration - This a term that is used to describe the process that NEW Student Organizations go through in order to become recognized by Murray State University for the current academic year.

• Re-Recognition - This is a term that is used to describe the process that EXISTING Student Organizations go through in order to become re-recognized by Murray State University for the current academic year.

University Recognition

Any student organization who wishes to affiliate themselves with the Murray State University name and utilize campus facilities must be recognized by the university.

• To receive University recognition, student organizations must be registered through the Center for Student Involvement, located on the second floor of the Curris Center, Room 202.

• Groups seeking to become recognized by the University must follow the steps outlined below. Documents will be submitted to the Center for Student Involvement where they will be reviewed and approved.

RACERS CONNECT

Racers Connect is the official platform for Student Life and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). All activities surrounding RSOs will take place through Racers Connect. These are including but not limited to: Registration/Re-Recognition of RSOs, approval and publicizing of events, updating faculty/staff advisors, tracking membership rosters, and much more!

Note: you must be signed in with your murraystate.edu email account to access Racers Connect

Faculty/Staff must complete the Racers Connect Account Request Form to authorize the Center for Student Involvement to create an account.

Student Organization Registration Guidelines

NEW STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Newly formed groups may register at any time during the school year and may hold two meetings on campus for organizational purposes prior to registering with the university.

In order to be a recognized organization, the following steps must be taken:

1. Ensure 3 total students are willing to be members of this new group.

2. Acquire a faculty/staff advisor.

3. Complete the Student Organization Registration Form through Racers Connect.

   1. 1. 1. 1. • Once you are logged into Racers Connect select groups at the top of the page, all groups, then select "Register new Student Organization". Once you complete the form an email will be sent to your faculty/staff advisor to verify their status as advisor, then your organization will have a group page. You will then need to add your members to this group.

ANNUAL RE-RECOGNITION

Deadline: September 9, 2026, by 4 p.m.

Every student organization is required to attend an orientation meeting on September 9th at 6 p.m. or 10th at 3 p.m. in the Curris Center Theater. Your president or another officer MUST be in attendance for one of these meetings. Advisors are welcome but not required.

Student Organizations who were registered in the previous academic year MUST re-recognize their organization through the Center for Student Involvement. These organizations will follow the same steps as new student organizations regarding organization registration. *must sign in with a Murray State University email!

1. Complete the Student Organization Re-Recognition Form through Racers Connect.

2. After completing the Re-Recognition form, the Faculty/Staff Advisor will be emailed a verification form.

Please note that any missing documents will delay the approval process of registering a student organization.

Constitution

A constitution, bylaws, or charter contains specific information regarding the organization’s structure and procedures. This document must include the following:

• A clear statement of purposes

• Requirements and obligations of membership

The following statements must be included in the constitution in order for a student organization to be considered for University recognition:

• A limitation on membership to matriculated students, but without any restrictions on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status except as expressly permitted by law.

• A pledge that the organization will abide the rules and regulations of the University as a condition to initial and continued registered status

Download a Sample Constitution to help guide you in creating your own!

Campus Advisor(s)

• Faculty/Staff must complete the Racers Connect Account Request Form to authorize the Center for Student Involvement to create an account to officially advise a Registered Student Organization.

• The selected Campus Advisor for the organization must be separately verified by the Center for Student Involvement and must complete this verification through Racers Connect.

• The Advisor(s) work(s) closely with the student organization to ensure a cooperative relationship between the organization, its members, and the University.

• The Advisor(s) ensure(s) that all reasonable steps are taken to protect the safety and welfare of all student organization members during meetings and activities.

• The Advisor(s) is(are) responsible for assisting organizational officers in completing necessary requirements (i.e. Student Organization Maintenance, contacting the IRS to obtain a tax identification number if one has not already been established, etc.) and for ensuring that these documents/forms are submitted at the appropriate deadlines throughout the academic year.

• If a Campus Advisor would like to resign from their Campus Advisor position, the Office of Student Organization can provide a letter of resignation to the advisor. Please contact Kade Gambill, kgambill@murraystate.edu, for more information.

Student Organization Registration Maintenance

• To maintain recognition from the University and to reserve on-campus space, each organization must submit the Student Organization Registration/Re-Recognition Form at the following times:

  • Re-Recognition forms must be complete by September each year.

  • Registration forms can be accepted any time during the academic year.

    • Updates that must be submitted during an academic year

    • MUST submit changes when they occur

      • Faculty/Staff advisor(s)

      • Contact Information

      • Changes in Officers

      • If organization becomes inactive