student at the be involved fairCU Boulder students can start a new recognized student organization (RSO) by following the steps and policies outlined below.

But first,听see if your organization already exists. You can browse organizations by category or search for specific words or phrases on , CU鈥檚 comprehensive student involvement database. If your idea isn鈥檛 already out there,听we encourage you to start a new RSO.

Timelines and Deadlines
  • September 1, 2024:听 New RSO Applications can be submitted for those wishing to start in Spring 2025 semester.听 A link to the intake form will be made available here.
  • October, 2024:听 听CSI Staff will begin reviewing New RSO applications.
  • November, 2024:听 New RSOs who have been approved to move forward will attend the听New Organization Symposium.
  • December and beyond:听 Organizations will work to finalize their registration forms, plan听for their launch in Spring 2025, and may start advertising themselves!

A recognized student organization (RSO) is CU Boulder鈥檚 formal name for student-run clubs, groups or organizations. An RSO鈥檚 mission must be educational, charitable, cultural, social or recreational in nature and may not result in personal (financial or academic) gain for individual members or for the RSO.听

The primary mission or activity of a recognized student organization must be centered on, for the benefit of and driven by CU Boulder students.

We require at least three members prior to RSO creation and at least two听of the three听must be full-time, fee-paying students.

Student groups are not required to register with the Center for Student Involvement. However, there are many benefits听with being registered. They include the ability to

  • Reserve spaces on campus at discounted or听free rates.
  • Access a colorado.edu email address specific to your organization.
  • Apply for office space in the UMC.
  • Apply for funds.
  • Reserve a table for the Be Involved Fair or听Involvement Fair.
  • Apply for and be recognized at the annual CU听Involvement Awards.
  • Use the BuffConnect system for recruitment and networking.
  • Drop in for advising with Center for Student Involvement staff.
  • Participate in leadership development courses, retreats and programs offered through CU GOLD.

The registration process to create new RSOs opens during specific windows of time in Fall and Spring semesters (read above for specifics).听 To ensure that the process runs smoothly once it does open:

  1. Visit our to ensure your suggested RSO does not already exist.
  2. Be sure to review all information on this webpage first.
  3. Brainstorm the following:
    • Organization name
    • Purpose, mission听or interest of your potential听organization
    • Ideas for听programs, events听or activities you anticipate the organization having
  4. There are some minimum requirements for all RSOs. Be sure your proposed RSO meets the following requirements before you go on to the next steps.
    • Free and open to all students
    • A minimum of three student members
    • A clear sense of purpose and mission for organization

Below you can read the steps for a general idea of what may be involved.听 The following steps needed to be听completed in the order they are listed and may take longer than listed depending on time of year (Fall Welcome, Spring Break, etc):

  1. Complete the new RSO request form (will be available after September 1, 2024).
  2. If approved, a CSI liaison will email you to schedule a time to discuss your request in further detail.
    • It may take 1-3 business days from receiving approval notice for a liaison to contact you.
  3. If approved, attend the New Organization Symposium in November.
  4. Complete the new student organization application (organization registration form).听

If interested in restarting the organization, please email studentorganizations@colorado.edu. Please provide any information regarding the previous org (previous leaders, last year you think you were active, etc). If you remain in contact with any former org members, please reach听out in advance and ask听to lead the restarted organization. While not a requirement to restart the organization, it will help expedite the process.

We encourage all new leaders to review the听RSO handbook听as it offers plenty of tips in running a successful student organization. Our听resource center听page outlines many similar听helpful tips.