Most RSOs will not be DRSOs. Student Groups created by Georgia Tech units that have not completed the Chartering process and are not RSOs are not DRSOs; additionally, an RSO that is affiliated with a department is not necessarily a DRSO. DRSOs do not have increased access to Student Activity Fee funding.
A Home Department is a Georgia Tech unit with which a DRSO has a defined relationship and from which their Advisor is assigned.
An RSO will be considered a DRSO if it is in a defined relationship (i.e., involving assets such as property, space, resources, money, reputation) with a Georgia Tech unit.
The Student Activities Committee (SAC). SAC is a standing committee of the Academic Faculty. More information on SAC is available in the Faculty Handbook.
A Home Department or RSO may pursue the Departmental designation if the relationship between the two involves funding, space, property, resources, or reputation. Primarily, the Departmental designation is designed to help mitigate risk and increase effectiveness of RSOs which fundamentally serve the Institute's purpose. Organizations that further the academic mission (e.g., MotorSports and Invention Studio further the mission of the School of Mechanical Engineering) or that provide a service that would otherwise be provided by a department (e.g., the Student Center Programs Council serves as the programming board for campus; the Ramblin Reck Club manages the Ramblin' Reck, an Institute asset and fleet vehicle) are excellent examples of DRSOs. In the case of DRSOs, the Institute (through the home departments) facilitates the organization's purchasing/funding, provides a dedicated Advisor, and may provide space or other resources, among other supports.
Based on the criteria listed below, an RSO may be reviewed at any time (including during the Chartering process) for departmental designation by:
- Request from the Center for Student Engagement;
- Request from SAC; or
- Petition from either the RSO or the Home Department
The initial request or petition should be submitted to the Center for Student Engagement, the Home Department, and the most senior RSO student leader. The form link is found in the resources section below.
DRSOs and departments will have a written and agreed upon MOU, which will be reviewed annually by the DRSO and department leadership. The MOU must address the defining features of the relationship between the DRSO and the Home Department, including but not limited to: advising, property, space, and financial resources. The MOU will be a required component of the Annual Registration for DRSOs.
Once DRSO status has been assigned, the relationship between the RSO and Home Department must be continuously maintained and renewed annually. Failure to do so will cause forfeiture of the DRSO designation and may cause reason to forfeit any and all RSO status.
No, there are no direct financial benefits for DRSOs. For example, SGA cannot grant additional or preferred funding to RSOs based on their category or designation (e.g., DRSO status).
Please use this link to review a template MOU for all DRSOs. You may add additional sections and appendices as needed. You should not remove any existing sections. Additional support for crafting this MOU may be sought from the Office of General Counsel and the Center for Student Engagement.
The MOU should be signed by the head of the department (this is not usually the Advisor for the DRSO) that will be in a relationship with the DRSO. Additionally, a copy of the MOU should be provided to whichever staff person has signature authority for your Home Department’s contracts.
After the petition is submitted, it will next be reviewed by the Center for Student Engagement and, if applicable, the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). This initial review should last 2-3 weeks. After the initial review, the Center for Student Engagement (CSE) will pass on a recommendation, with considerations on risk management and areas of concern or opportunity, to the Student Activities Committee (SAC). The Student Activities Committee will make the final vote on whether an RSO should become a DRSO. The SAC may, before voting, request a meeting with the DRSO and Home Department. Regardless of the decision of the Student Activities Committee, each RSO that submits a petition will be invited to complete a risk assessment for their current protocols and programs with CSE and OGC.
Yes, an RSO and a Department can create an MOU even if they are not in a relationship that requires or warrants a DRSO. For assistance with this, reach out to the Center for Student Engagement.
Please contact Kayla Watson, Associate Director, Center for Student Engagement.
