Definitions

Student Organization

Student organizations at the University of Michigan are based on, centered around, led, governed, and directed by students.  Each is focused around a guiding mission and works to realize this mission.  These organizations make a difference in the lives of student members by creating a niche for students who might otherwise be overwhelmed in an institution of over 50,000 people.  These niches are provided by hundreds of student organizations that are arranged on a wide gamut of topics, interests, and fields of study.  The large number of organizations allows each organization to maintain a high degree of focus upon their particular mission.  When coupled with the dedication of its student members, the cultural, social, and academic climate on campus is greatly enriched.  Student organizations have had a real and profound effects on the University and the outside world through their vision, accomplishments, and determination.

Student Organizations are

  1. Student Led and Organized
  2. Provide opportunities for:
    • leadership development,
    • organizational skills,
    • budget handling and development,
    • vision,
    • strategic planning,
    • creative thinking, and
    • problem solving.
  3. Adhere to the policies and procedures of the University of Michigan

Student Organization Statuses

  • Non-Affiliated Student Organizations (NSO)
    • Non-recognized student organizations are not affiliated with the University in a formal way. As a result NSOs have no access to University-controlled benefits and resources, except for a listing in Maize Pages. NSOs will be treated the same as individual students or members of the public who seek to access University-controlled benefits and resources.
    • For a list of benefits for Non-affiliated Student Organizations, click here.
  • Sponsored Student Organizations (SSO)
    • Sponsored student organizations are student organizations that operate under the direct supervision of the sponsoring University unit. SSOs must be sponsored by an executive officer, dean, or director of a major academic or operational unit that is committed to providing significant financial and staff support to the student organization whose mission is consistent with the University's and sponsoring unit's. The unit will provide an advisor for the SSO.
    • For a list of benefits for sponsored student organizations, click here.
    • SSOs must have a written document detailing the nature of their sponsorship. This document must be signed by both the sponsoring Executive Officer, Dean, or Director and the student organization.
      • A Sponsorship Agreement template is available here.
  • Voluntary Student Organizations (VSO)
    • Voluntary student organizations are student organizations that seek access to certain University-controlled benefits and resources and are accountable to the university for legal compliance, fiscal responsibility and adherence to established community standards. VSOs are recommended to seek out a faculty/staff advisor although an advisor is not required for VSOs.
    • For a list of benefits for voluntary student organizations, click here.
  • Recognized Student Organizations
    • This category refers to both sponsored and voluntary student organizations. NSOs are not recognized by the University.

Michigan Student Assembly (MSA)

The Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) is the central student government at the University of Michigan, representing students from every school and college.

Affiliated Units and Initiatives

  • Sponsoring Unit
    • This is the unit through which a Sponsored Student Organization is sponsored. This unit provides access to the benefits which a SSO may reap. This is also the home unit of the SSO's official advisor.
  • Student Activities and Leadership (SAL)
    • The Office of Student Activities and Leadership is a resource specifically designed to help you make the most of your co-curricular experiences. Developing effective student organizations and leaders through training and education is SAL's primary mission.
  • Student Organization Account Services (SOAS)
    • The primary purpose of SOAS is to serve registered student organizations by:
      1. Assisting and educating officers about their financial responsibilities
      2. Insuring the accuracy of comprehensive financial records
      3. Aiding organizations in keeping their activities in sound financial condition
      4. Facilitating continuity between financial officers and their successors
      5. Providing the means for recognized organizations to use University facilities and services
      6. Maintaining and upholding fiduciary guidelines as custodians of student organization funds
      7. Assisting student organizations in their efforts to make a difference
    • We offer a variety of services and resources to assist your organization with its financial management needs. We are always looking for better ways to serve you! To that end, we have joined forces with the Office of Student Activities and Leadership. Our goal is to help you reach your goals!
  • Student Organization Advancement And Recognition (SOAR)
    • SOAR rose out of the need for formal definitions of the relationship between the University and student organizations. It is now embodied in the three tiered structure of student organization recognition: sponsored, voluntary, and non-affiliated.

Financial Resources

  • Project/Grant
    • A project/grant number is assigned to all student organizations when an account is opened through SOAS.   This number is used for all financial transactions.
    • Organizations that desire to use University facilities or who expect to receive funds from MSA, College student governments/councils, or University departments, MUST maintain these funds in a SOAS project/grant.
    • Expenditures from your project/grant require adequate supporting documentation (original receipts & invoices, no copies) to ensure that funds derived from University sources are properly accounted for and that SOAS project/grants are not use for private gain.
    • The project/grant will be the field which refers to your organizations specific SOAS account.
  • Purchase Order (PO)
    • A PO is an easy way for organizations to purchase merchandise or services outside the University. It is a pre-approved payment to a vendor, which allows organizations to buy the goods or services they need without spending money out-of-pocket.
  • Tax Exempt Status
    • Tax exempt status is the exemption from paying federal income tax. Sales tax exemption is a state exemption. For more information go to the tax exemption page.

Additional SOAR Definitions

  • Advisor
    • SSOs require a faculty or staff member who is a part of the sponsoring unit to act as an designated advisor. This designated advisor must go through training provided by SAL.
    • VSOs are strongly encouraged to have an advisor. Advisors ease an organizations access to available benefits.
  • Maize Pages
    • This is the official listing of all student organizations registered with MSA. Listing is by organization name and category.
  • Non-discrimination policy

SAL Email Student Activities and Leadership Division of Student Affairs University of Michigan Gateway