Student Organizations & Activities
This information is from Major Facts, the student handbook. The information printed is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. However, this does not preclude the possibility of changes taking place during the academic year. Any changes will be updated on this website.

Millsaps College acknowledges the importance of students’ integration into its academic and social systems. Student organizations and their activities play a critical role in promoting this sense of integration. Thus, the relationship between the College, the students and their activities is viewed as a crucial element of the holistic development of the student.

As the principle vehicle for student activities, the College maintains an advisory relationship with recognized student organizations. A key component of this relationship is the College’s respect for the intellectual and emotional maturity of its students. This respect is affirmed by providing opportunities for self-governance. The relationship requires that members of said organizations adhere to the policies guiding student expectations and behavior. New student groups should begin to seek recognition through the Office of Student Life.

All student organizations/clubs/honoraries must be registered with the Office of Student Life. Organizations are assigned a funding status based on their written constitution and by-laws, and the program of projects and activities through which they plan to carry out their objectives. Requests for funding through the Student Body Association must be completed each fall and spring. The SBA Treasurer coordinates requests. Additional policies are available in the Office of Student Life. A full list of Student Organizations is also available in the Office of Student Life.

Organizational Behavior
A student organization is subject to the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct if an alleged
violation of the conduct regulations occurs. In determining whether an organization will be held
responsible for the act, all factors and circumstances surrounding the specific incident will be
reviewed and evaluated. As a guiding principle, student organizations will be held responsible for
the acts of their members or invited guests when those acts grow out of, or are in any way related
to the life of the organization. The types of conduct for which the organization may be held
responsible include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The alleged offense is committed by one or more of the officers or authorized representatives, acting in the scope of their organizational capacity.
• One or more leaders have knowledge of the potential for a violation of College regulations or the Code of Conduct before it occurs or during the occurrence and fail to take corrective action.
• The alleged offense is committed by one or more members of the organization and sanctioned by an officer of that organization, a vote of the organization, or a committee of the organization.
• One or more of its members or officers permit, encourage, aid, or assist in committing the violation.
• Organization funds are used to finance the activity.
• The organization chooses to protect one or more individual offenders who are members or guests of the organization.
• One or more members of the organization fails to report to appropriate college officials any knowledge or information about the alleged violation.
• The alleged offense occurs as a result of an organization-sponsored, financed, or endorsed event.
• The alleged violation occurs on the premises leased or operated by the organization.
• A pattern of individual violations of College regulations is found to have existed without proper and appropriate organization control, remedy or sanction.
• After hearing the case, the hearing officer, administrator, or judicial council deems the offense by its nature, was an organizational offense, in addition to or in lieu of an individual offense.
• All forms of prohibited conduct applicable (see section on page 26).

Student organizations may be subject to one or more of the following penalties:

• Warning. A written reprimand or admonition informing the organization that any new incident may result in the imposition of more severe penalties.
• Restitution or Fines. The hearing authority may design restitution in the form of financial payment, community service or other special activities. Additional fines may be assessed as a punitive measure.
• Educational Sanctions. These may take the form of programs, workshops, or other special activities.
• Restrictions. These include but not limited to the following privileges: to hold meetings or events, to reserve campus facilities, to advertise, to post notices, to participate in intramurals, to membership recruitment activities, to be eligible for campus awards.
• Social Probation. The organization may not sponsor or co-sponsor social activities in the name of the organization or on organization premises for the period of the probation.
• Probation. Probation may be for one or two academic terms, or until a fixed date within one year of imposition; and shall consist of the withdrawal of certain privileges, including but not limited to any or all of the following: right to hold meetings or events, to reserve campus facilities; to distribute literature; to advertise; to post notices; to participate in intramurals; to membership recruitment activities, to hold social functions. Probation serves notice that any new incident during the probationary period may result in more severe penalties.
• Withdrawal of College Recognition. Removal of the name of the organization from the list of recognized organizations. This action results in the termination and denial of all privileges granted to recognized organization. The period of withdrawal may be for one, two, three, or four academic terms, or until a fixed date within two years of imposition.
• Expulsion of Organizational Recognition permanently excludes the organization from the College without any recourse to reapply for recognition. Expulsion or withdrawal of recognition of any organization shall include a forfeiture of all organizational funds granted by the Student Body Association.

All student organizations must register their events with the Office of Student Life before hanging signs, writing on sidewalks, or distributing flyers around campus. If an organization fails to do so, a fine may be incurred.

Social Customs
Millsaps students should be familiar with social customs of the college community.

• Mutual respect among the organizations on campus dictates respect for functions held by each. In order that this respect may be accomplished, students need to be familiar with the following terms and customs
  • A closed party is a party held for the members of an organization, their dates, and invited guests only. These parties are appropriate on any Friday or Saturday night on which there is not an all-campus or open party.
  • An open party is a party sponsored by a particular organization or group for the enjoyment of the entire campus. Only one such party is considered appropriate on any given night, and all other organizations are expected to respect the contribution of the organization to the social program of the campus by refraining from precipitating conflicts.
• For all parties on or off campus, the procedures for scheduling are:
  • Any campus organization scheduling a social function must first check the calendar in the Student Life Office to ensure there will be no conflicts and complete a Millsaps College Activity Registration Form. No social function may be entered on the calendar or any changes of a scheduled function entered on the calendar without the permission and approval of the Office of Student Life.
  • Requests for scheduling social functions must be made by noon on the Wednesday before the event is to take place, but no less than 48 hours before the event. Millsaps College Activity Registration Forms must be signed by the Director of Campus Life, therefore students are advised to start the request process early. (at least 10 days in advance)
  • Each organization is required to hire their own security for off campus events and functions.
  • Organizations sponsoring closed parties are encouraged to invite one or more college recognized alumni leader of the organization to be present during the event. Fraternities and sororities are required to have liability insurance to cover financial responsibility.
  • Officers of the organizations may be held responsible for the conduct of their members and guests at all activities and programs sponsored by the group.
• The College acknowledges and supports organizational policies which restrict social functions (i.e., not allowing open parties). Any concerns regarding these restrictions may be addressed to the Vice President and Dean of Students, or the Director of Campus Life.
• Specific policies related to fraternity and sorority functions can be found within the Presidents’ manual for fraternities and sororities.
• The above stated policies can be amended to allow for special circumstances. Such changes must be approved by the Dean of Students or Director of Campus Life.
  

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