FAQs ABOUT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: FAQ’S ABOUT Funding events
What is the appropriate use for funding?
Appropriate use of funds includes programs/materials/activities that are likely to entertain, educate and/or strengthen theKSU student body. The historical performance of the event/activity is also considered. For more information refer to section 5.0 of the RSO Handbook (PDF file) found online under the forms section.
What can we use the $350 for?
RSO Operational budgets for non graduate groups are used for paper, pencils, folders, dues, registrations, food, promotional items, and other small miscellaneous purchases to assist in running your organization.
Can SABAC allocated funds be used for purposes other than the event requested?
No, designated funds must be used for the event purposes.
How do we get reimbursed?
Download the Fund Request Form under RSO Funds/ Funding and follow the instructions for payment. For more details visit Section 5 of the RSO Manual.
Do events have to be open to the whole campus?
A general rule of thumb is that events that are open to the majority of campus tend to meet the criteria for Student Activity Fee fund usage. If your organization collects dues, or fundraises it can host a variety of events.
FAQ’S ABOUT Room Reservations
Why do I have to use the online Activity Request form?
It will save everyone time if the online form is used. It asks questions that are necessary for us to fill the request. If we don’t have enough information to fill a request, emails or phone calls back and forth add time to the process. The more information you can give on the request, the quicker it will be processed.
Will I always get the space I request?
Not always. We have to consider many factors before we book a space. Sometimes space is requested that may not be the best space available for your event. If everything checks out and the space is available, we will try our best to give you what you want.
Can I book meeting space for a whole year or for more than one semester?
You may request meeting space for your weekly, biweekly or monthly general meetings for the current semester only. If you know your dates for the next semester, you can request them one month before the semester begins. That means dates for your meetings in January of 2010, could be requested in December of 2009. This applies to request for classroom space also.
How far ahead can I book space for a big event, annual event or special event where contracts may or may not be needed or speakers may need to be scheduled?
Events that need special consideration for speakers, contracts or other considerations can be done one year out as long as it is not classroom building space being asked for. The larger the event the more time is needed to coordinate and book it. These events may need to go through the Campus Events Planning Committee approval process and take two to four weeks for approval. Allow 6 to 8 weeks or more for planning. Fill out the online Student Life ERF ( Event Referral Form) to register your large event upon confirmation of space on campus.
Will last minute requests be filled?
Any last minute request will be handled on a case by case basis. Not all last minute requests can be filled.
Is it a problem if I book space and do not use it?
Several problems are created when you book space and do not use it. For rooms that require a set up; manpower, supplies and money are wasted if the set up is not used. When a space is booked for you, it is taken off line and no one else can book it. If it is booked way in advance many group events are denied because the space is booked. If you do not use it, then it usually sits empty because there isn’t time to plan to put something else in the space.
Are there consequences if I do not cancel a room?
If you do not cancel a reservation, you will receive a notice for non cancellation. A copy is put in your file, sent to your advisor and the Director of Student Life. You will only be allowed 2 notices before action is taken. On the second notice, all events scheduled for your group will be canceled and you will not be allowed to use funds for your group. If your second notice is received the end of the semester, you will not be allowed to book space or use any funds available for the next semester. We will have a student assistant or staff member monitoring usage.
How do I make changes or additions to an existing reservation?
Do not submit another Activity Request Form if you already have a confirmation number for a reservation. Email kanders2@kennesaw.edu with the confirmation number and changes. These changes may include time change, date change or additional set up information. If the change is major and will change the event entirely, please cancel the current event by email and start over with a new request.
If I have been given outside space, will I be given a rain location automatically?
No, not automatically. You will need to speak with Student Life personnel the week of the event if bad weather is expected for your date and we can check to see if anything is available at that time. If space is not available you will need to make the decision if you want to cancel or not.
I have been trying to send the on-line form and keep getting an error message. Does this mean the form is down?
If you leave any field blank on the Activity Request Form, you will get an error message. If you do not have an answer for a question, please put NA in the field.
The best way to access the form is from www.kennesaw.edu/student_life. If you have tried this and it still does not work, please call the Student Life Office at 770-423-6280 and we can walk you through the form to see if the problem can be corrected.
How long does it take to get an answer and how will I know I have space?
Do not assume because you did not hear from us that you did not get a space. If an Activity Request Form is received by our office, you will always receive either a confirmation or denial. After the request is received, if there are no problems or complications, it usually takes 1 to 3 days to get your confirmation or denial. If you have not received correspondence within 3 days, you may want to contact the Student Life Office at 770-423-6280 to make sure your request was received.
When I checked for space on the campus calendar, it showed that the space I wanted was available. If I got my request in before anyone else, why did I not get what I wanted?
The campus calendar does not reflect pending requests or those under review by Student Life or the Events Department so it will not reflect true availability.
FAQ’s ABOUT KSU Fraternity & Sorority Community
Can Greek life help me succeed academically?
Greek letter organizations were founded on the principle of successful scholarship. Academic success is in your favor when you factor in help from sisters or brothers, study halls, workshops, and time management strategies.
Do Greeks participate in community service?
Through the support of local and national philanthropies, fraternities and sororities promote ideals that will enhance a your college experience. Charities and service organizations have long depended on the dedication and generous time contributed to the community by KSU Greek chapters.
What do KSU Greeks do for the campus?
Our chapters provide various types of programming for the campus community. Almost, weekly you can see a fraternity or sorority hosting an event for charity, workshops that focus on self-development topics, events that are entertaining in nature, and a host of other activities. Whether you are studying for finals and need a study break or you are just bored and looking for something to do, chances are one of our fraternities or sororities can come to your rescue.
During the Fall semester we focus on providing service and entertainment opportunities for KSU students. Some of those events are: Freshmen Move-In, Greek Block Party, Greek Night, and Greek Movie Night. Our community is also a major supporter of KSU Homecoming Festivities and athletic events.
During the Spring semester we focus more on chapter development, and displaying our Greek pride. Some of the activities we implement are: Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Retreat, “Choose to Climb” Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Series, G.A.T.E. (Greeks Aspiring Towards Excellence), and Greek Week.
Is it expensive to be Greek?
Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial obligation. Each chapter is self-supporting through dues paid by their members. Although chapters may make accommodations for special needs, students should take into consideration the financial commitment that follows membership in a chapter.
Is Greek life really like the images portrayed in the media?
Many people have the misconception that the image portrayed through television programs and movies is really what is happening on college campuses across America. In reality, those images of Greek Life could not be further from the truth. Although an individual’s actions are entirely up to him or her, Greeks hold their members accountable for their actions using their founding principles as guides in their activities.
How many Greek organizations does KSU have?
19
What Greek organizations are at KSU?
There are four governing councils that serve as the umbrella organization for the chapters within the council.
KSU Interfraternity Council (IFC)- www.ksuifc.com
Delta Chi (colony), Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Phi, and Theta Chi
KSU National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)- www.ksunphc.com
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
KSU College Panhellenic Council (CPC)- www.ksupanhellenic.org
Delta Phi Epsilon, Gamma Phi Beta, and Phi Mu
KSU Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)- www.ksumgc.com
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
If I am interested in joining a fraternity or sorority, how do I contact them?
There are several ways you reach out:
On the KSU Greek website (www.ksugreeks.com) you can find information and links to each of the chapter’s individual or national websites. There you can find out more about the organization as well as obtain their contact information.
You can set-up an appointment with Brooklynn R. Parrott, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life by calling (678) 797.2838 or e-mailing bparrott@kennesaw.edu
You can stop by the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life (OFSL), Student Center, Room 164. At the office you can obtain different resources regarding Greek Life at KSU and you may even run into some members of our active organizations.
How do I join a fraternity or sorority at KSU?
That depends on what organization you are interested in. Each council has a different process for accepting new members into their organization.
CPC holds Formal Sorority Recruitment once a year in August. To register for Formal Recruitment you must register on line, pay an application fee, have at least a 2.5 GPA from high school or college, mail in a high school transcript for incoming freshmen or previous college transcript for transfer students.
IFC holds Formal Rush twice a year, once in August or September and once in January or February. To register for Rush you must submit an application, pay an application fee, have at least a 2.3 GPA from high school or college, mail in a high school transcript for incoming freshmen or previous college transcript for transfer students.
NPHC and MGC fraternities & sororities conduct their own process for selection and initiation of new members, this process is known as membership intake. There are no set dates for membership intake. Each chapter determines when and if they are going to have membership intake. Once a chapter decides to conduct membership intake they will post signs/banners in the Student Center displaying the date of their Rush, Informational, on Formal Interest Session. These are the events that you would attend to formally express interest.
Will I be hazed if I join a fraternity or sorority?
Kennesaw State University, the Department of Student Life, and the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life has zero tolerance for hazing. Hazing should not be part of any new member education program, pledge process, or membership intake process in any degree. If you are being asked to do something against your will or that is outside of the requirements for joining, or if you are unsure if the activity or request is allowed don’t hesitate to contact Assistant Director for Greek Life (770.499.3081), the Director of the Department of Student Life (770.423.6290), the Vice President for Student Success & Enrollment Services (770.423.6310) and/or University Police (770.423.6206). *The full policy can be viewed in any student handbook and online at www.kennesaw.edu/student_life/shb.html
What if I am interested in a fraternity or sorority that is not at KSU?
The KSU Fraternity & Sorority Community is growing rapidly and we are open to exploring the idea of adding additional chapters. Each council has a different process for expanding so the first place to start would be by speaking with Brooklynn R. Parrott, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life at (678) 797.2838 or bparrott@kennesaw.edu
General FAQ’s about student life
I would like to start a new RSO. What do I do?
It’s easy, but it takes some time and diligence. Here are the steps:
1. Compile a list of at least 15 members, and include their names and KSU ID numbers.
2. Ask a faculty or staff member to serve as the RSO advisor. One you’ve found an advisor, he/she needs to write a brief memo indicating that he or she has agreed to serve as advisor to your group for the year.
3. Write a set of by-laws by which your group will be governed.
4. Submit the by-laws via email to rsobylaws@kennesaw.edu. Your by-laws will be reviewed by a Student Life staff member, who will return them to you with suggestions for changes or corrections. You will then need to make the necessary changes.
5. Write a cover letter addressed to SABAC (Student Activity Budget Advisory Committee). The letter should concisely state what the organization is, why it should be approved by SABAC, and how it will benefit KSU students.
6. Compile a packet, to include the list of members, the faculty advisor memo, the by-laws, and a cover letter. These items must be submitted to Brenda Arthur, Secretary to the Dean of Student Success and Secretary to SABAC. Her office is located on the 4th floor of Kennesaw Hall. These items must be submitted one week prior to the SABAC meeting (see SABAC schedule for the dates and times). Please do not submit them to the Department of Student Life.
Once these items are submitted ON TIME and COMPLETELY, you will be placed on the agenda for the SABAC meeting, where you will need to make a 5-minute presentation and be prepared to answer questions.
What should my presentation to SABAC consist of?
You will have approximately five minutes to speak to the SABAC members. Please do not prepare powerpoint presentations or anything similar, as there is not enough time. In your presentation, you should introduce yourself, tell the name of the group you want to register, and explain why this group should be approved by SABAC. Following your presentation, you will have the opportunity to answer any questions posed by the SABAC members.
My new RSO was approved by SABAC. Is there anything else I need to do?
Yes! Approval by SABAC is only the first step. The next step is to complete the RSO registration forms. These forms can be found here. As soon as these forms have been completely filled out and turned in to the Student Life Department (Student Center, room 274), you may begin receiving all the benefits of an RSO.
I need to reserve space for my RSO meeting or event. How do I do that?
If you have just been approved by SABAC, the first thing you need to do is complete the RSO Registration materials. Once you have done so, you may visit www.ksustudent.com select “Activity Request Form.” Filling out this form and submitting it on line will get your request in the queue. Remember that the form must be filled out completely and correctly; also remember to allow AT LEAST five business days for your request to be processed. If your form is submitted later than five working days (for example, if it is sent two days prior to the requested event), your request may not be honored. It’s important to give us enough time, because we’re handling multiple requests.
What RSOs are available at Kennesaw State?
The list of RSOs is available at www.ksustudent.com and ksuclubs.com
Does my RSO get any funding? If so, how do I access it?
Yes. Most RSOs receive $350 per year to spend on refreshments, supplies, and other items. This $350 may be accessed in three ways:
- An RSO representative may spend his or her own money (cash or credit card) on an item and bring the original receipt to the Student Life Department for reimbursement. No receipt; no reimbursement!
- An RSO representative (preferably the President or other designated officer) may come to the Student Life Department and request a cash advance for the anticipated amount, as long as this amount doesn’t exceed $50. The leftover money must be returned to the Student Life Department, along with an original, itemized receipt. Failure to return the money within two weeks shall result in a hold placed on the student’s record.
- An invoice from the vendor may be presented to the Student Life Department, and the vendor will be paid directly through the University. Remember that this process could take two weeks.
If my organization wants to request additional money, what is the process?
The only way to request additional funding is through SABAC, the Student Activity Budget Advisory Committee, which meets regularly throughout the year. There are three circumstances under which an RSO may request funding from SABAC: For travel to conferences or an event that closely relates to the mission of the RSO. The maximum amount of travel money an RSO can receive is $1800 for the year.
For a program that will be open to the entire campus (for example, money may not be requested for a program that is only open to your members).
For equipment, which will belong to the University even though it has been purchased for the RSO.
When my RSO receives mail, where is it sent?
Each RSO has a mailbox on the 3rd floor of the Student Center in the Student Organization Cubicle area. It is the responsibility of each RSO to ensure that the mail is checked at least once a week. All mail for your RSOs should be addressed in this manner:
Name of RSO
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road
Building 5, Room 274
Campus Box 0501
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
How do I promote my organization on campus?
A great place to start is with our Publicity Planning Packet. Information specific to KSU, good ideas, and a handy checklist and timeline. Click here for your's.
Any other ideas for getting the word out or advertising my events?
Why not use KSU's student media to help you? The weekly student newspaper The Sentinel, OWL Radio and other publications are there to assist. Click here for both advertising and free promotional options. |
