Student Organization Resources and Support

SOLO, Student Organization Leader Orientation

SOLO (Student Organization Leader Orientation) is a required training for all student organizations that is held annually in the fall semester. Each organization is required to send at least 2 members to this training. This year SOLO was held in person on September 3, 2022 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. We’ll cover the expectations for the year ahead and how to manage logistics for your organization. 

Click here to review the Fall 2021 SOLO Presentation Slides.
View the Fall 2021 SOLO Recording on Youtube

SOLD, Student Organization Leader Development workshops

These are optional Student Org Leaders development opportunities to educate folks on how organizations develop throughout time and will provide helpful tools and tactics for leaders to navigate.

Fall Workshops:

• Working with Difficult People: 4:30-6:00 PM on Tuesday October 18, 2022 in the Harmon Room
• Group Facilitation: 4:30-6:00 PM on Monday October 25, 2022 in the Harmon Room
• Preparing Your Organization for Transitions: 4:30-6:00 PM on Tuesday November 1, 2022 in the Harmon Room

Budgeting Workshops

All budgeting organizations who wish to receive funding beyond their automatic $100/semester Flexi Funds are required to attend a budgeting workshop facilitated by the MCSG FAC in the spring semester. This workshop takes place during the budgeting period and provides organizations with helpful information for preparing and submitting an annual budget request. 

 Check out the Student Org Finance Processes page for more information on all things finance!

SOLE, Student Organization Leader Evolution

Held each spring, SOLE aims to provide all organizations with strategies and steps to ensure effective and efficient leadership transitions from one academic year to the next. Reflecting on the past year and how the org evolves in the years to come. Organizations are required to send a minimum of 2 representatives to a Leader Transition Workshop, including 1 current leader and 1 incoming leader. Spring 2023 Dates Forthcoming!

Renewal Process

Organizations undergo a renewal org transition process each spring to ensure that org-related information, including the following year’s leadership, is up to date. The renewal process will be conducted via Presence beginning in March 29 and closing April 17, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. More details will be provided by SOC. 

Involvement Fair

The Second Friday of the Academic Year 150+ Student and Community Service Organizations engage with the campus community to kick start your engagement at Macalester. Come meet folks and get involved.

Mini Fairs

Low-key spaces to explore engagement opportunities by category (e.g., Performance, Political/Social Justice, Service) in an intimate setting. Drop in to learn more about student orgs or campus programs or, if you need guidance, chat with Office of Student Leadership & Engagement staff members about involvement options that might be a good fit for you! Mini-Fairs will be offered throughout the Fall semester.

Student Organization Advisors

Though student organizations can consult with OSLE staff, they are also strongly encouraged to have a faculty or staff advisor. If you would like assistance in identifying an advisor, please contact OSLE.

The role of an advisor varies from group to group and depends on the organization’s needs and the personalities involved. It is important that the role the advisor will play in the organization is discussed and that everyone concerned has the same expectation of the advisor role. Both advisors and organizations must understand the roles and responsibilities that they hold in relation to each other and to the organization, and must be realistic and flexible when defining the advisor role. 

Benefits for the Student Org

• Advice about being an effective leader in your organization 
• Direction for planning successful events, meetings, etc. 
• Guidance and assistance with any questions that your organization may have
• Ability to consult with an expert in a related field

Expectations of Advisors 

• To assist the group in the formulation of long-term goals in addition to planning and initiating short-term projects
• To be available as a resource person 
• To suggest and encourage improvements 
• To serve as an ambassador for the organization 
• To assist with evaluation of group projects and progress 
• To assist leaders in practicing leadership and in problem solving 
• To serve as a sounding board for the organization 

Benefits for the Advisor

• Contact with students outside of the classroom setting 
• Assisting students with leadership and management skills 
• Establishing friendships with colleagues and students 
• Watching students gain confidence and take pride in their accomplishments 

Each organization is assigned a liaison from the SOC. The SOC liaison serves as an additional resource for student organizations for general org-related questions and concerns, and specifically, to discuss the renewal and auditing processes. Additionally, each organization is assigned a liaison from the FAC. The FAC liaison works with each organization to answer budget-related questions and provide workshops during the budgeting period. More information about the SOC and FAC can be found on the MCSG website. Not sure who your liaison is? Contact the SOC chair at [email protected] or the FAC chair at [email protected] to confirm.

In addition to the policies outlined in the Student Organization Handbook, student organizations, their leaders, and members are expected to adhere to all College policies, including the Student Code of Conduct . They are also responsible for abiding by federal, state, and local laws. If, at any time, an organization, their leaders and/or individual members are found to be in violation of any of these policies, expectations, or laws, their organization may be subject to disciplinary action.

If a violation occurs or a complaint is filed against a student organization, its leaders, and/or its individual members, the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE) staff and/or their designee will initiate an investigation into those allegations. If found responsible for the violation, OSLE will determine, what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken to hold the organization and/or its members accountable. Depending on the type and severity of the violation, individuals involved may also be subject to additional sanctions through the general student conduct process.

A student organization can be held accountable for the actions of its leaders or members if:

• The organization and/or its leaders had knowledge of, approved, pre-planned or supported the behavior/activity
• The leader or member was acting in an official capacity or on behalf of the group when the behavior/activity occurred
• There were multiple leaders or members involved in the behavior/activity
• The organization attempted to conceal the activity or protect the leaders or members involved in the behavior or activity
• Organization funds used for the behavior/activity in question
• Behavior/activity took place at an organization sponsored event
• The organization failed to fulfill its responsibility to abide by College policies and federal, state, and local laws
• If the behavior/activity was for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for membership

Possible Sanctions

1. No Action: There is no evidence to support the charges and/or the organization is found not responsible for the violation.
2. Written Warning: The student organization may be given a written warning regarding the behavior/activity and additional sanctions may be imposed if the organization engages in the same conduct again or commits any other violations.
3. Restitution: If the violation resulted in monetary damages or there was a misuse of College funds, a student organization may be required to reimburse any funds spent or pay the cost for replacement or repair of any property damaged. If the organization fails to make payment, they may be subjected to additional sanctions, including termination or suspension of organization registration, restriction of privileges, and/or the loss of funding.
4. Restriction of Organization Privileges: Restrictions are conditions imposed on an organization that would specifically dictate and limit future presence on campus and participation in Macalester College activities. The restrictions involved will be clearly identified and may include but not limited to restrictions on use of funding, use of College facilities, sponsoring events, and recruiting new members.
5. Suspension: An organization may be prohibited from participating in all aspects of College life for a specified period of time. When an organization is suspended they forfeit all rights given to an organization and must cease all functions of an organization in good standing with the college.
6. Termination of College Recognition: Termination of recognition is the permanent removal of College recognition for an organization.
7. Removal of Leaders: If the leader of an organization is found responsible for committing a violation, they can be removed from their position if:
   1. Their continued involvement presents a conflict of interest
   2. The violation was an abuse of their privileges and power as a leader and they are no longer allowed to manage those functions (ex. If a treasurer is found accountable for misuse of funds)
   3. Their student conduct sanctions prohibit them for continuing their leadership role
8.  Additional Sanctions: In addition to the above, the Conduct Officer and/or OSLE staff member may apply or recommend additional sanctions, to the group as a whole or an individual member, as well as refer the case to the organization’s governing bodies for consideration of other sanctions.