Student Organizations Policy

The Student Organizations Council (SOC) encourages the formation of new organizations when students' needs are not being met by existing groups. A student group desiring recognition by SOC must submit a written constitution to SOC to begin the process. To be recognized by SOC, an organization must fit the criteria listed in the SOC Policy for Student Organizations.

Membership in organizations and participation in activities are open to all Earlham College students. Organizations receive recognition through application to SOC. Recognition makes an organization eligible to apply for funding from SOC.

  1. Students are free to belong to and form any organization to promote and develop their common interest.

  2. To use the College's name, facilities or financial resources an organization must be recognized by SOC. To be considered for recognition, a group must submit a Petition of Recognition form.

  3. All groups recognized shall be considered official organizations of Earlham College and shall enjoy all privileges pertaining thereto.

  4. The aims of an organization must not run counter to the educational aims or the Quaker traditions of Earlham College, nor can an organization be recognized or funded if its adopted aims are to violate, or actions do in fact violate the community code or local, state or federal laws.

  5. Recognition and funding of an organization reflects Earlham's commitment to act as a free forum for the expression of ideas, but do not imply the institution's agreement with or the support of the proposed programs of any organization.

  6. Upon recognition each organization will be placed in a co-op group. If a recognized organization wishes to receive funds from the Student Activity Fees, this organization must participate in their co-op's allocations meeting. The amount of money given to each co-op will be predetermined by SOC. During each co-op's allocation meeting, the co-op will together decide the amount of funding each group will receive for the respective term(s). Two allocations meetings a year will be held. The first one will be in the spring for funding for the fall; the second will be in the Fall Semester for funding in the Spring Semester of the next year. Each organization is accountable not only to SOC, but to their entire co-op in terms of the use of their funds.

  7. The purpose of an official Earlham organization which uses Student Activities funds should be to build community and provide support. Generally no activities will be funded that are not open to the entire community; however, SOC will entertain proposals which seek exception to this rule.

  8. SOC recommends that every recognized organization have a faculty adviser.

  9. Financial reports from organizations funded by SOC are required twice a term. The budget for the coming term should be presented for the allocations meeting, and the report on how finances went for the term should be presented at the end of the current term.

  10. SOC reserves the right to withdraw recognition from any organization after due process