CSI // FAQ SECTION
1. Getting Involved
CSI, located in Hoke 321, enhances your student experience outside of the classroom through involvement in student clubs and organizations. Our staff is there to help you take advantage of all the leadership opportunities our campus has to offer. The office provides consultation to brainstorm ideas and support toward event management, budget development, fundraising and leadership/organizational development workshops. The Leadership Resource Zone is a lounge space for clubs/organizations to gather and network with one another with various resources available to them including a computer lab, resource library and banner-making tools. Meeting Space??
CSI is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. The Zone is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
There are many reasons for joining, but a club/organization can lead to many exciting opportunities for you to develop leadership, make new friends, plan events, give back to your community, acquire new skills and to connect with the EOU community. The heart of campus involvement at EOU begins with clubs and organizations.
Ask any staff member in the Student Involvement office for additional information about a club/organization or visit OrgSync (orgsync.com/login) to join the club/organization tool to identify various campus groups.
The first step is learning how to manage your time effectively and this is entirely up to you. The first step is not to get overly involved in many clubs/organizations. Find the one that you are passionate about and become a part of that group. Studies show that students who get involved in something outside of the classroom actually do better academically because they are more connected to the university and are exposed to the faculty/staff on a regular basis.
It’s never too late! There are many opportunities for all individuals to get involved. Whatever level of involvement you desire, there’s something at EOU for you to join and get engaged in the campus community.
Eastern Student Entertainment (ESE) is the primary programming board on campus and it is run by students for the students. You can go directly to their office (Hoke 313) and offer suggestions or get involved by volunteering in one of their many events throughout the year. For more information, visit their website (www.eou.edu/ese) or call 962-3625.
The Voice is the student-written publication on campus, which is published four times per term. If you are interested in getting involved, visit their office (Hoke 320) or send them an e-mail at thevoice@eou.edu.
The University has various clubs and organizations that offer students the opportunity to explore new cultures and/or experience personal growth. These clubs and organizations allow students to learn about various cultures and share their experiences through international awareness. A list of clubs can be explored via OrgSync for those interested in joining.
EOU has many clubs/organizations that specialize in outdoor activities. The Outdoor Program offers specialized classes, trips/clinics and has equipment for you to check out. Check out the Outdoor Program (Hoke 102) to find out what resources are available for you.
We currently have approximately 50 clubs/organizations available for students and are continually finding ways to engage our students. Your intent to create a new club will help us with that goal. However, please note not all new clubs are automatically approved to be active (based on several factors including but not limited to the number of similar organizations, the interest and sustainability, the use of campus resources and potential conflict with EOU mission and/or policies) and that by initiating this process you are on the right path.
If it does not, to apply for a new active club, please follow the simple procedures listed below:
1. Download an Intent To Be Active Form or pick one up at the Center for Student Involvement. Our staff is on hand, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to assist with any questions you may have about this form.
Yes. As students graduate and/or new leaders are selected to each club and organization, groups are required to submit a new ITBA form with updated signatures for financial purposes as well as to provide contact information to the Center for Student Involvement staff.
Visit the club/organization that you are a Student Administrator for on OrgSync. The Intent to be Active Form is located under your club/organization’s settings (located on the left side of the screen). Once visited, the profile will indicate the ‘Last Renewal Date’ for you, which will help guide you with a general idea of how long it has been since the form has been updated. As a reminder, this form should be annually renewed within the first few weeks after fall term has begun and staff/officers have been selected.
No. We do not allow clubs to duplicate their missions or purpose of existing clubs. However, we encourage students to think about how they can create a club that is unique to their own mission and vision, but meets the needs of the student body. If similarities do exist between clubs, it is important that individuals collaborate to create a club that is effective and sustainable.
The recognition process is a procedure that entails verification based on several factors including but not limited to the number of similar organizations, the interest and sustainability, the use of campus resources and potential conflict with EOU mission and/or policies. Additionally, timing for the process depends upon whether all required information has been submitted to the Center for Student Involvement (see How do I start a student group? for required documentation) and is sometimes dictated by how quickly groups can respond to staff requests. Please be assured that the CSI staff will do everything to make the process as quick and proficient as possible.
An organization is a group that is closely tied to a department and/or written into the job description of a department member to advise the group. Additionally, the funding for the organization is initiated through the Student Fee Committee process, which allocates monies to those groups that have been granted an opportunity to submit a budget request/proposal. Organizations often also serve the entire student body population, whereas clubs can be focused in on one particular entity to create and strength relationships with the campus community and additional awareness. A club often is a group of students with an in-depth purpose that specifically enhances the student learning experience whether through governmental, cultural, political and/or special interest issue settings. Through the recognition process, clubs must also contract with an advisor, but have the opportunity to select an advisor that may not have ties to a specific department and/or the club. Funding for clubs is determined through seeking out resources for money through Senate Allocations (a subgroup of the Associated Students of Eastern Oregon University) that regularly allocates funds each term and/or putting together various fundraisers within the community.
By being a recognized club/organization, student groups the following benefits are available: use of space by reserving rooms, outdoor space and entertainment areas, permission to publicize on the Campus Activity boards and Digital Signage, ability to post events on the What’s Up listserv, participation in campus activity fairs, ability to apply for and receive additional funding through Senate Allocations or Vending Committee as well as support services from the Center for Student Involvement. These services include guidance for policies and procedures related to event management, financial management, advertising/marketing, travel in addition to usage of banner-making tools, computers/copier access, a leadership resource library and the peer leader workshop program.
No. All clubs must have an EOU faculty or staff member advise the club. Advisors must be faculty/staff from EOU and/or partner programs like OSU, OHSU and ODS and must have permission of their immediate and departmental supervisor. It is important that student clubs/organizations select advisors who will help the organization meet its goals and provide guidance along the way.
Yes, it is held every fall at the beginning of the term. Details regarding the training are provided directly to clubs/organizations via e-mail. The training for 2012 - 2013 will be held on Saturday, October 6. What is a Student-Fee Funded Unit? A student-fee funded unit is an organization that is primarily funded by the Student Fee Committee with funds generated and supported by students. Currently, there are 20 student-fee funded organizations. Additionally, these units maintain regular interaction with University staff, rely on the University for additional funding, facilities, event planning as they have higher level of accountability to all students.
A club can seek to become a student-fee funded unit by submitting a proposal during the annual budget process, held in January. Documentation regarding the eligibility of becoming a student-fee funded unit can be found in the “Files” under the Center for Student Involvement on OrgSync.
Student clubs & organization can receive funds in a variety of ways – dues, fundraising and allocations from the Student Fee Committee, Senate Allocations and Vending Committee. Any monies earned must be put into a university club account. Club funds may be spent to support the stated purpose or mission of the club as voted by its members; not for individual personal gain. If the funds are from a student-fee allocation, the group may only spend those funds for the purpose they were requested. Each club or organization that receives funds or collects revenue has an established club account within the University. These funds must be deposited into the account and may be used for any reason as longs as it supports the club and is approved by the membership.
Clubs may request funding for specific functions by submitting an application request to the Vending Committee and/or Senate Allocations. Senate Allocations approves proposals every 4th and 8th week of each term (excluding summer) with proposals due the Friday prior to those specified weeks. Vending Committee meets on a regular basis as proposals are submitted. Keep in mind that there are different requirements/eligibility for each request. Clubs should review all documentation prior to submitting proposals. Senate Allocations proposal forms and Vending Committee forms can be found under the “Files & Forms” of the Center for Student Involvement on OrgSync.
Individuals seeking reimbursement must submit the Payment Request form (found in “Files” on OrgSync under the Center for Student Involvement). All requests must be submitted through the Center for Student Involvement with proper signatures on the form, matching the current Intent to be Active form. Additionally, club officers cannot sign off on their own reimbursements and must have additional signatures. Each payment request form must have the original, itemized (listed items bought) receipts and/or invoice.
Reimbursement requests take a minimum of 7 – 10 working days to process and checks are only cut on Wednesdays. Therefore, it is essential that all completed paperwork is immediately turned in to process reimbursement in a timely fashion.
Invoices must be turned into the Center for Student Involvement. Please make sure that listed on the invoice is the organization’s name, index code and member name/contact information to ensure appropriate delivery and payment. Invoices also need to have the Payment Request form (found in “Files” on OrgSync under the Center for Student Involvement) attached and properly filled out with all necessary signatures.
Yes. Your club can make a donation to a service agency (or even another club); however, organizations cannot make such donations as these funds are allocated for specific uses. In order to make donations, your club must organize a fund raiser, and then only the net profits may be used as donations. The donations must be strictly directed toward and collected by the service agency.
As long as expenses are justifiable and have been budgeted, the club account may pay for dinner. Please keep in mind that in order to be reimbursed, you must include an original, itemized receipt. The University will not reimburse for alcoholic beverages. For organizations, University funds can only be used to pay for an official guest’s meal and one student/employee’s meal if they are considered a host to the guest. The meals must be at a per diem rate or they will not be reimbursed.
No. Your club must have all funds coordinated through the University.
Receipts/invoices must be dated prior to June 30 and turned into the Center for Student Involvement prior to July 1. All goods must be received by June 30.
Groups may purchase clothing, travel, food (refreshments only unless granted prior approval), etc. (as long as it is related to the function of your club/organization and properly approved). However, before you spend, the Intent To Be Active Form must be on file with the Center for Student Involvement. Additionally, you should contact the Center to make sure that proper funds are available within your account prior to purchasing.
Club funds are kept in their accounts and transferred over for use the following fiscal year. Organizations, however, are collected through the Student Fee Committee and either held within a reserves account or allocated through Carryover/Forgiveness (which occurs every Fall term). How do I reserve space on campus? To reserve a space, contact the Facilities Scheduling office at 541-962-3575 or submit a request on …
If there are special requests for the event, (i.e. tables, chairs, electricity) contact Facilities Scheduling at 962-3575. There may be additional charges for some special requests.
Contact Facilities Scheduling at 962-3575 for assistance with reserving space and tables.
Contact Facilities Scheduling at 962-3575 for all audio-visual equipment. Make sure that you have your club/organization account code available when reserving equipment.
Space in the Hoke Union Building is allocated on an annual basis, beginning the process in Winter term. Groups interested in applying for space are encouraged to submit an application. Clubs/Organizations, which currently have space, must reapply for their space during the same process. Please be aware that space is not guaranteed to every group which applies. Can clubs/organization serve/sell food or drinks on campus? Yes, but any food and/or beverages served on-campus (regardless of whether they are sold or given away) must be approved ahead of time and supplied through EOU’s catering supplier, Aramark. Student clubs/organizations may seek approval of seeking off-campus vendors by filling out a “Request to Use Off-Campus Food or Food Service” form (found on the Center for Student Involvement’s OrgSync page under Forms). Individuals that serve and/or prepare food for events must have an Oregon Food Handlers Card.
You can obtain a card by completing the food safety test online (www.orfoodhandlers.com). The fee for each individual test is $10.
Clubs and organizations must work with food services (Aramark) to hold bake sales and/or sell food on campus, due to liability issues involving food handling and food preparation.
Policy restrictions, requirements and guidelines can be provided through the Center for Student Involvement that constitutes the framework for student-sponsored events that include alcohol. My group wants participate in travel to an off-campus site as part of our club/organization functions. How does that work? Groups must complete the Travel Packet form included on the CSI website as well as under Files on OrgSync under the Center for Student Involvement portal in order to get proper approval to travel and request club/organization funds for travel purposes.
Individuals and/or clubs may request funding for travel through Senate Allocations. Proposals are due every 3rd and 7th Friday of each term with presentations held every 4th and 8th week of the term. Note that student fee-funded units may not request these funds. Proposal applications can be requested through the Associated Students for Eastern Oregon University or found on their website. How do I get an event on the activities calendar? Clubs and organizations that submit posters and flyers to the Center for Student Involvement will have their events posted automatically on the OrgSync calendar.
Copies can be made through the Center for Student Involvement. Your club/organization must have a copy code from the Center in order to generate billing for your purchase. Keep in mind that copies are currently charged between .05/copy to .60/copy (dependent on size and color).
Events can be publicized once an event registration form has been submitted and approved by the Center for Student Involvement. Clubs/Organizations are responsible for the creation of their own advertising/marketing though some assistance can be given from CSI staff. The materials (posters, flyers, etc.) can be given to the Center for approval and posted on the student activity boards throughout campus. Currently, the Center requests 24 copies to be given in order to post around campus and in the residence halls. Information gathered from those materials will also be generated into the event calendar on OrgSync for our weekly What’s Up reminders sent out to all students. Can my club/organization put on a Movie Night? Movies cannot be shown unless your organization has provided proof of public performance rights to the Center for Student Involvement. Commercial films, videotapes, DVDs and Blueray discs, all have copyrights that restrict the manner in which they can be shown. Contact the Center for Student Involvement (541-962-3704) to find out how to purchase the rights to a film. Keep in mind that purchasing rights to a film costs between $300 - $650.
No. You cannot do any of the above mentioned activities until you have turned in an event registration form to the Center for Student Involvement office (Hoke 321). In progress. |
CENTER FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENTEASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
HOKE UNION BUILDING 321
PH: 541.962.3704
FAX: 541.962.3706
E-MAIL: CENTER@EOU.EDU
