Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) must follow university policies to operate safely and responsibly. Below is a quick overview of each policy with links to the full handout or page.

Quick Links to Policies and Procedures

Click each heading to expand: 

Student organizations desiring official recognition must meet the following:

  • Have a clearly stated lawful purpose, which must be part of a constitution.
  • Have a minimum of 5 MSU student members. (Decreased for the 2026-2027 AY)
  • All of the members (100%) must be MSU students.
  • Be open to all MSU students with the right to vote and hold office (within the organization).
  • Have a minimum of 2 officers. Officers must be fee-paying MSU students.
  • Completion of Annual Officer Training and quiz with a passing score (80% or better).
  • Each organization must have an advisor who is a MSU-employed faculty, Administrative Professional, State Classified staff member, or MSU graduate student.
  • Comply with all University policies and regulations pertaining to student organizations and be in “good standing” with the University.
  • Student organizations cannot be for-profit businesses. If affiliated with a national organization (may not be a for-profit entity), a letter of affiliation must be submitted to OSE. The affiliate may not be a for-profit entity. A copy of 501(c)(3) status may be requested at the time of registration.

Advisors are an integral part of involvement at Montana State University by helping create a more engaged and active campus community.  Please visit our advisor resources page for additional information. For support, contact cassie.brazinsky@montana.edu 

Club Locker Policy

The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) manages 30 lockers on the third floor landing on the north side of the SUB as well as 18 lockers on the east side thirst floor landing for Registered Student Organizations (RSO).

Policies & Guidelines

  • RSO Locker space shall be used for RSO-related items/business only. No personal use by individual club members. If your organization wishes to share with another club, you must notify OSE of the other occupant.
  • Combination locks will be provided to each club assigned a locker. Clubs must use the lock assigned and not replace with another lock nor may they add additional locks. The combination will be given upon assignment of locker space. If a combination is forgotten, only club leaders and/or advisor will be eligible to request the combination from OSE. If a lock is malfunctioning, please contact OSE immediately.
  • Hazardous or flammable materials may not be stored in the lockers.
  • Under no circumstances may a group sublet their locker to another group. If your organization no longer wishes to use your space, OSE will maintain a waiting list to reassign that locker space.
  • Storage spaces will not be over-filled and must be able to freely close.
  • No items may be stored on top of or beside lockers. If items are left in these locations, they will be turned into the SUB Lost and Found.
  • No perishables shall be stored in storage spaces.
  • You may not place or attach anything to the outside of the locker.
  • Your organization will be financially responsible for any damages determined not to be the result of wear from regular and appropriate usage of the locker.
  • The SUB and OSE are not responsible for damage or loss of property. Please keep your storage space locked and only give the combination to trusted individuals within your club.
  • If your student organization is placed on probation with OSE for any reason, your locker space privilege will also be revoked.

Building Hours

Please check the SUB website for building hours to access your locker space.

Consequences for Misuse

  • If the OSE suspects or receives a report your organization is either not using the locker space (excluding summer break) or using it inappropriately, they reserve the right to enter the locker. They will first attempt to give notice to your club. 
  • Locker assignments are subject to termination at any time by reason of improper use as outlined above. Groups not actively using their locker will lose their space.

Registered Student Organizations are encouraged to plan events and programs throughout the year to engage the campus and community in their mission. With any event comes inherent risk and liability. Montana State University-Bozeman is not responsible for bodily injury or personal property of students, faculty, staff and/or others who participate in activities sponsored by faculty/staff and/or student clubs, organizations, fraternities, or sororities. Students, faculty and staff who engage in these activities do so at their own risk and should assure that they have the appropriate disability and/or health insurance, training, and protective equipment, where applicable.

 

INSURING OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS                                                         

If your organization plans to sponsor an off-campus event, and the off-campus facility to be used requests event insurance, your Student Organization may qualify for coverage under the University’s liability and property insurance coverage. In order to qualify for this coverage, your Student Organization must be registered with OSE. 

In order to obtain coverage for your off-campus event or program, your Student Organization Advisor will need to submit a Certificate of Insurance Request Form at least ten days prior to the event. Questions with regard to insurance coverage may be directed to the MSU Safety & Risk Management office at 994-6888 or insurance@montana.edu. A copy of the issued certificate of insurance will be sent to the Advisor and the Office of Student Engagement. It will be your responsibility to forward the issued certificate to the certificate holder (facility owner, etc.).

MSU is committed to identifying, preventing, and eliminating physical and/or programmatic barriers that interfere with participants’ access and benefit from University programs, facilities and resources. We strive for equal and full participation in all facilities, services, programs and events and encourages student groups to offer barrier free access to all their events and activities by taking proactive measures to provide disability related modifications.

Here is a list of assistive equipment and accommodations available upon request in the SUB. If you plan to host an event in another location, please inquire what accommodations are available.

  • FM Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) for use with telecoil equipped hearing aids available at the Ask-US desk in the SUB
  • Ramp for a stage
  • Wheelchair may be checked out from Disability Services
  • Table risers are available, vary by building
  • Publications available in alternative formats by request
  • Automatic door openers available at entrances and exits into the SUB and restrooms. Campus accessibility map can be found on the Disability Services webpage.
  • Elevators
  • TTY phone available in Disability Services
  • ASL interpreters may be booked through Disability Services. Charges will apply.

For the purposes of protecting public health, all food sold and provided on campus must be supplied byMSU Culinary Services. Under no circumstance may food be sold or catered by any vendor or organization other than MSU Culinary Services. Food may not be served on campus by a commercial or domestic source to be used as a promotional tool for a commercial entity.

  • A Temporary Event Vendor Application (TEVA) must be completed and submitted to the Sanitarian for review. Once approved, a Food Permit will be issued. Food Safety Online Training, with completion of a quiz, may be requested, for each individual handling food. This applies to prepackaged food items as well. TEVA must be submitted 1 week prior to date of event.
  • Donations from off campus sources will not be approved for use. Please be aware that due to noncompetition clauses in the contracts with our food suppliers and concerns about chain of custody with food products, MSU Culinary Services requires food served at MSU sanctioned events to be acquired from an on campus source.
  • Although MSU Culinary Services cannot donate food products, MSU Culinary Services may, on occasion, jointly sponsor an event if budget is available. MSU Culinary Services may authorize the service of off-campus food for a jointly sponsored event.
  • No food from off-campus sources may be served in the Strand Union, for affiliated or non-affiliated group events, donated or otherwise.
  • University Catering has created a special catering menu for ASMSU and registered student organizations with student group prices! If what you are looking for isn't on the student group menu, your club can automatically receive 10% off their regular menu. Contact catering at

msucatering@msu.montana.edu for more details.

EXCEPTIONS

  • Groups are encouraged to utilize existing food venues after hours. Student Organizations meeting in the SUB after 5:00pm with a gathering of less than 40 people may order outside food, provided it is only offered to members of the group, and not to the public. (must be sourced from a licensed Montana food operation, i.e. Dominos, Jimmy Johns, etc.). If it is an open to the public event, no matter the size, you must order from University Catering.
  • ASMSU and registered student organizations may be allowed to use off-campus food donated from a local retailer/grocer (TEVA category #1 foods ONLY) upon pre-approval. This same consideration may be extended to non-profit organizations on a case by case basis. Donated food cannot be requested or obtained from a MSU contracted food vendor, or their competitors (Coke, Pepsi, Sysco, FSA, Ghost Town Coffee, etc).
  • Individual solicitations of off-campus food vendors for delivery of food for personal consumption on campus are not prohibited under these rules.

As an MSU student and registered student organization, compliance to the MSU-Bozeman Alcohol/Drug Policy is mandatory.

Below are sections of the policy that directly apply to student organizations:

340.00 ASMSU, Departmental and Other Registered Student Organizations

  1. ASMSU, registered student organizations or any organized student group assembled independently or on behalf of Montana State University or ASMSU, whether or not they are registered are subject to university policies and state law governing the service or consumption of alcohol at its events.
  2. Any event held on University property that involves the service of alcohol must approved under Section 890.00, Facilities Use Manual.
  3. Organizational or ASMSU funds shall not be used to purchase alcohol.
  4. Incident reports involving Montana State University students may be forwarded to the Dean of Students Office. MSU disciplinary action will be considered and imposed as appropriate.
  5. Any off-campus events organized and/or sponsored by a student organization or ASMSU which is open to the public and at which alcohol will be served shall be subject to the requirements of this policy. The Event Sponsor is responsible for assuring the event is in compliance.

500.00 Illegal Drugs

Use, possession, manufacture, sale, or distribution of any illegal drugs on University property or at University sponsored activities is prohibited and may be grounds for suspension or expulsion of students and the suspension or dismissal of faculty members, administrators and other University employees. 

The fundamental purpose of the University is to maintain an environment that supports and encourages the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. That environment is damaged by illegal drug use. Therefore, all members of the academic community, students, faculty members, administrators, and other University employees, share the responsibility for protecting the environment by exemplifying high standards of professional and personal conduct.

510.00 Prescription Drug Abuse

The non-medical use of prescription drugs is not allowed on the University campus. Students’ use of these drugs inappropriately such as to “get high”, cram of exams, or use to enhance sports performance is a violation of this policy. Prescription drugs, when mixed with alcohol, are particularly dangerous and potentially lethal. This is especially true of opiates, such as OxyContin, Vicodin or other pain killers. Harmful effects of prescription drug abuse include:

  • Mental health: increased irritability, agitation, anger, apathy, depression, paranoia (delusions and Hallucinations), violence, and dependence.
  • Physical health: drastic changes in sleep patterns, sudden weight loss or gain, stunted growth, and dependence.

520.00 Medical Marijuana

Although Montana state law permits the use of medical marijuana, i.e., use by persons possessing lawfully issued medical marijuana cards, federal laws prohibit marijuana use, possession and/or cultivation at educational institutions and on the premises of other recipients of federal funds. The use, possession or cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes is therefore not allowed in any Montana State University housing or any other Montana State University property; nor is it allowed at any University-sponsored event or activity off campus.