Presidents of registered student organizations met on Sept. 4 to learn what it takes to become an RSO and what it means to be an RSO leader representing the students of Ferris.
The meeting was held at the David L. Eisler Center in Ballroom A. It was about the recent updates in university policy, discussing campus resources, finances, responsibilities regarding safety and resources students should connect and collaborate with before beginning any event. It started with icebreakers between the club presidents to get to know one another, followed by topics about what it means to be an RSO leader, the requirements to start an RSO and the importance of student involvement.
A registered student organization is an independent and self-governed organization or group consisting primarily of students enrolled at Ferris formed to contribute to those students, educational growth, recreation and/or personal development and who have been approved to function on campus. The meeting discussed what resources these student organizations need. RSO leaders assume the responsibility for the organization’s activity and conduct.
RSO and Greek Life Coordinator Josh Olszewski spoke about what both new clubs and existing clubs should know.
“The idea is that there are a few policies and procedures that student organizations have to follow and so it’s an opportunity for us to let them know,” Olszewski said. “Here’s how you reserve a space on campus, here’s where the RSO handbook is, here’s what you should know from the RSO handbook, the Student Code of Community Standards, and here’s how to navigate Bulldog Connect. The goal is that they leave the meeting, they know what they need to do, they know what resources are available to them and they can go out and accomplish their goals and do their thing.”
Not only are existing clubs getting a refresher on the rules, but newer clubs are gaining a better understanding of how an RSO should be run.
Information security and intelligence junior and President of the Information Security and Intelligence Alliance Seth Brott shared information about his club and insights about the meeting.
“The club has been around since 2007, it’s gone through many iterations and I took it over two years ago,” Brott said. “What I found helpful about the meeting was that this is a great place for like a lot of other presidents of other RSOs to come around and meet each other, sit at the same table and try to share information about each other.”
on campus. Photo by: Kate Babel | News Reporter
During the meeting, Olszewski talked about finances, including what happens when a group holds a fundraiser and what role faculty advisors play. Communication between RSO leaders and their faculty advisors was one of the main topics aside from acknowledging the importance of the Ferris State community. In the end, the meeting allowed students to ask questions and receive the updates they needed.
Elementary education senior and Vice President of Aspiring Educators in Michigan Emily Wardell commented on the meeting.
“I thought everything was helpful like how to actually register events, how to run things appropriately and not to break any Ferris rules,” Wardell said.
The next RSO training meeting is Sept. 9. For more information about starting an RSO, go to the Ferris 360 Center for Student Involvement resource tab or visit the Center for Student Involvement in the DEC.