How to Start a Student Organization

The following forms must be completed, signed and returned to the Student Life Department.

The proposed organization must complete the Organization Application Form outlining the organization’s mission, goals, affiliation, dues structure, officers and advisor(s).

• Student Organization’s Application
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• Letter of Intent
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• Officer Roster
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To start an organization, a minimum of twelve (12) currently enrolled and registered students must sign the Membership Roster.  Students must print their name, address, phone number, student ID number and sign in the appropriate spaces.  The students’ signature certifies that the information they submit is true and valid.

*Note: If a student wishes to start a club, but needs to recruit additional members, the organization can be given provisional status for a maximum of thirty (30) days to recruit additional members.

• Student Organization Advisor Agreement Form
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Each proposed student organization must have a full-time faculty/staff advisor.  Once a faculty or staff member has agreed to serve as the organization’s advisor, a Student Organization Advisor Agreement Form must be completed and submitted along with the organization application and membership roster.  Approval signatures for the advisor(s) are required from the Director of Student Life, the Dean of Student Services and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

• Constitution (Sample)
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• Responsibility of Advisor
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• Responsibility of Student
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Each proposed student organization must also submit an organizational constitution and by-laws.  Constitutions should be tailored to the overall mission, objectives and goals of the organization.

Submitting the Organization Package

Each proposed student organization must submit all applications and forms listed above to the Student Life Department.  The package will be reviewed by the Student Life Director.  If the package is incomplete or additional information is required, it will be returned with a memo outlining the additional material(s) required.  After this step has been completed, the proposed Student Organization package will be forwarded to the Dean of Student Services and the Dean of Academic Affairs for approval.  Upon completion of this process, all proposed organizations will receive a notice of approval/disapproval. 

Student Organizations have the responsibility to make clear to the public that their programs and opinions do not reflect the views of Miami Dade College as an institution. Therefore, students operate within the framework of a concerned academic community whose members have certain guaranteed rights and responsibilities and possess varying degrees of experience and academic expertise. Students should refrain from unilateral actions that have a direct effect upon segments of the College community.