Inside this handbook, you will find valuable information to assist you as a leader of a registered organization.

This handbook is designed to provide practical information regarding management of your organization; including registration and re-registration, event management, and fiscal responsibility. It contains an overview of important University policies and procedures, as well as resources and information that will aid presidents and treasurers to fulfill their responsibilities as leaders of registered organizations. Please use this handbook as a reference tool when managing the affairs of your organization.

Please also note that University policies and processes may change, but are accurate at the time of this printing. It is recommended you visit our website and contact our office if you have any questions.

The Student Code of the University of Illinois delineates the rights and responsibilities of students in a wide spectrum of activities throughout the University. Section 2-303 of the Code provides the definition of Registered Student Organizations and Registered Organizations and requirements for registration. Highlights from that section include:

The name of the organization must not be preceded by “University of Illinois” or “UIUC” The title “at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign” or “at UIUC” may follow the organization’s name. Illini and Illinois may be used.

Membership in Registered Organizations is restricted to emeritus/a faculty, faculty, staff, and their spouses/partners. Only emeritus/a faculty and currently appointed faculty and staff may serve as officers and authorized agents. Registered Organizations are not eligible for funding allocations from the Student Organization Resource Fee (SORF)., nor are they able to check out equipment paid for by student fees.

Membership in Registered Student Organizations is comprised of a majority of student members, and student membership is restricted to currently enrolled (full or part-time) students at the Urbana-Champaign campus and their spouses/partners. Currently appointed faculty/staff and their spouses/partners also may be members. Only currently enrolled (full or part-time) students or currently appointed faculty/staff may serve as officers and authorized agents. Such organizations are eligible for funding allocations from the Student Organization Resource Fee (SORF)

All members must agree to a statement of non-discrimination. There shall be no discrimination against a member or prospective member on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, except as specifically exempted by law.

Organizations must support the educational mission of the University of Illinois.

The registered organization does not accrue to the financial benefit (or direct financial gain) of its members.

Being a registered organization with the University of Illinois can provide organizations with many opportunities designated only for those whom are registered with the Illini Union Office of Registered Organizations. These benefits may include:

• Ability to reserve locations on campus for organization usage, including events, meetings, fundraising, and other activities as designated by the organization.

• Eligibility to apply for Student Organization Resource Fee (SORF) allocations, student fee funds annually dedicated to student organizations for use (Registered Student Organizations only).

• Ability to access Organization Fund Advisory Board (OFAB)-purchased equipment for organization use, free of charge, including laptops, LCD projectors, tables, pop-up outdoor tents and chalk (Registered Student Organizations only).

• Applying for office or cubicle space in the Student Organization Complex (SOC) in the Illini Union through the Illini Union Board.

• Discounts on various campus services, including orders placed for catering in the Illini Union, reservation discounts for the Activities Recreation Center (ARC), and copy discounts at the ReSOurce Center in the Illini Union (Registered Student Organizations only).

Who We Are:

The Illini Union Office of Registered Organizations provides day-to-day service support for organizations on campus, but it’s also part of a larger entity within the Illini Union, which further provides support, assistance and advocacy for student involvement.

Student Programs and Activities offices and staff are located in three different areas of the Illini Union. Room 227 Union houses the Illini Union Board offices, Room 284 Union houses the Office of Registered Organizations, Student Organization Resource Fee, Office of Volunteer Programs, ReSOurce Center, and the Organization Fund Advisory Board. The Illini Union Rec Room, located on the lower level, is also part of our department. We support student programming through:

• llini Union Board
• Courtyard Café
• Student Organization Complex
• Student Organization Resource Fee
• Office of Volunteer Programs
• Office of Registered Organizations
• Illini Union Rec Room
• Organization Fund Advisory Board

What We Do:

• Create programs for the entire university
• Encourage student involvement in campus life
• Enhance the overall educational experience of students

The Student Code contains valuable information used by the Illini Union Office of Registered Organizations in setting policies, guidelines, and rules for the management of organizations. Unless otherwise noted, the rules stated in the Student Code apply to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Article 2, Section 3 of the Student Code specifically refers to Registered Organizations and the Organization Fund. Additional policies regarding use of University facilities can also be found in Article 2 of the Student Code.

Print copies of the Student Code can be found at the Office of the Dean of Students or the Undergraduate Library. The Code is also available here.

While registered organizations are an integral part of campus life at the University of Illinois, it should be clear that these organizations are not an official part of the University. Each organization is responsible for its own actions and is acting on behalf of the organization, not the University of Illinois. Because of this relationship, the Illini Union Office of Registered Organizations is limited in how it works with registered organizations. It does not give advice or counsel on matters related to insurance, risk management, or tax issues. The office works with facility requests, University fund accounts, and any judicial issues that may arise, with the Student Code as the guiding document. 

Per the Student Code, Article 2, Section 303, (d): “Registered Organizations and Registered Student Organizations are independent and autonomous from the University and are responsible for managing their own affairs. Registered Organizations and Registered Student Organizations are not affiliated with the University. Nor are they units or agents of the University, and shall not represent them as such. Events and activities conducted by Registered Organizations and Registered Student Organizations shall not be considered University-sponsored.

As such, Registered Organizations and Registered Student Organizations shall not be permitted to use the name of University of Illinois, any abbreviations thereof, or any symbol identified with the University or to con- duct its affairs in such a manner as to imply to anyone dealing with it that it is an official agency or party of the University. This includes using either for promotional materials, clothing and/or website/electronic media. Groups may use the word University’ or may indicate the geographical designation ‘at the University of Illinois.’ Each Registered Organization and Registered Student Organization shall be required to include in its articles of incorporation, or association, in its bylaws, or its constitution and its contracts or agreements with others, a provision clearly stating that it is not an official agency or a part of the University, and disclaiming the responsibility of the University for its acts and liabilities.”

Illini Union Quad Day: Month of August

• Quad Day brings together Registered Student Organizations, university departments, and community agencies for a day full of activity.

• Quad Day registration begins by the first Monday of April.

RSO Involvement Fair: Month of January

• Activity Day brings together over 100 registered student organizations inside the Illini Union for a smaller winter involvement fair.

• Activity Day registration begins at the beginning of November.