Policy 6 - 03: POLICY ON STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Student Organizations provide students with an opportunity to learn leadership skills, supplement formal academic experience, or pursue diverse interests, that their academic programs may not provide.

The stated mission of Quincy College includes:

• Addressing the educational, training, and cultural needs of Greater Quincy and Plymouth, metropolitan Boston, and the South shore of Massachusetts;
• An open access institution which values achievement, diversity, economic opportunities and life-long learning;
• To enhance educational opportunity, global perspective, economic development and the quality of life.

Quincy College is a public two year college operating as a separate entity under city of Quincy. The college is governed by a Board of Governors which also approves and controls the budget.

Quincy College students come from varied social, ethnic and economic backgrounds and maintain a wide variety of interest and the college would like to encourage students to assemble, form, and belong to organizations that promote and develop their common interests.

The following nationally recognized organizations are in existence on campus and are being subsidized:

• Gamma Beta Phi Honor and Service Society
• Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The following organizations are co-curricular in nature and complement the course work and do not need a constitution and by-laws:

• Choir
• Drama Club

• State regulations prohibit public schools from sponsoring or participating in the organization of out-side extra-curricular activities that restricts participation on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin or sexual orientation (603 CMR 26.06 1).
• Students may not be denied the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin or sexual orientation (603 CMR 26.06 2).

• A college administrator may impose a requirement that a group seeking official recognition affirm in advance its willingness to adhere to reasonable campus law. It constitutes an agreement to conform to reasonable standards respecting conduct (P. 193).
• Association activities need not be tolerated where they….interrupt classes….or substantially interfere with the opportunity of other students to obtain an education (P.189).
• The institution may act to prevent organizational activity that is itself illegal under local, state or federal laws.

Being a public institution, Quincy College will not sponsor any group or association that restricts its membership on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.

Under Massachusetts Constitution, Article 46, Quincy College will not sponsor or use college funds for a religious based student group or organization.

Policy

The college will sponsor student groups whose purpose are consistent with our mission and will be open to all students regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin or sexual orientation. There shall be a nondiscriminatory clause in the constitution and by-laws of all student organizations.

• Only degree seeking students in good standing with Quincy College are eligible for membership. Student in good standing means:
  1. a minimum 2.0 GPA (some organizations may have higher GPA requirement)
  2. Good judicious standing.
  3. Fulfilled obligations, financial and otherwise, to Quincy College.
  4. Adherence to all campus, local and federal regulations.
• While on campus, organizations and their members have a responsibility to adhere to Quincy College policies at all times.
• All meetings to be arranged at a time and a place that least disturbs the academic environment.
• Submit a recognition application by the last Friday of September each year.
• Require no dues for membership.
• Disclose any external affiliation; provide the constitution and by-laws of such organization.
• Maintain financial records if any.
• Observe no fund raising status.
• Not enter into agreements to use Quincy College seal or name or official reference with out first obtaining written permission from the college authority.
• Limit membership to Quincy College students.
• Provide a written constitution and bylaws with the request for recognition, with a list of office holders to administration.
• Have a minimum of 20 students.
• Identify a faculty/staff advisor and ask that individual to submit in writing notice that he/she agrees to serve as an advisor.
• Make membership and meetings open to Quincy College community.

Types of Organizations

A recognized student organization shall be defined as a group of Quincy College students joined together in the pursuit of a common purpose. Quincy College has identified the following types of organizations that may seek recognition:

• Academic: organizations that select members on the basis of achievement or interest in a particular discipline.
• Cultural: membership centered on a particular group’s culture.
• Service: membership geared towards volunteer/service projects.
• Hobby/special interest: membership center on a particular hobby/ or special interest.
• Arts: membership centered on the production and/or viewing of fine and performing arts.

A club/organization may be recognized by the College. Please apply by filling out a “request to form a club/organization”. Submit constitution and by-laws of your club/organization. At the minimum, please include its purpose, anticipated activities, and a statement on how this would fit within the mission of the College.

The club/organization will maintain records of all financial transactions and will submit these when asked for.

Enclose a letter of agreement from an advisor. Please provide an undertaking, “that club/organization will maintain records of all financial transactions and will submit these records to college at the end of the year ”.

The club/organization will have the privilege to use College facility, equipment, and other services according to policies and procedures and sponsor programs and activities on campus which are consistent with the organization’s purpose.

View List of Policies and Procedures