Policy on Eligibility Requirements for Membership in Student Organizations

History

Policy Number: SA.21.005
Drafted By: Doreen Hatcher
Approved By: Richard Yao
Approval Date: 4.26.21
Effective Date: 4.26.21
Supercedes: SA.21.004

Purpose

To ensure that students elected or appointed as officers in CSU Channel Islands (91吃瓜) student organizations maintain academic and behavioral expectations as a 91吃瓜 leader, to facilitate student involvement and to encourage student organizations to align member requirements with their organization鈥檚 purpose.

Background

The CSU memorandum 鈥淢inimum Academic Qualifications for Student Office Holders鈥� states, 鈥淎ll student representatives must be matriculated at a CSU campus maintaining a minimum on-campus 2.0 grade point average (GPA) each term, must be in good standing, and must not be on academic, disciplinary or academic probation. This requirement applies to the major student government offices defined [in the memorandum], minor student representative offices as defined by the campus, and student representatives on system-wide committees.鈥�

Research about college students illustrates that student involvement correlates with retention and intellectual development (Astin, 1977, 1999; Terenzini, Pascarella and Blimling, 1996).

Policy

Accountability

The AVP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Student Organizations & Involvement and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Applicability

All currently enrolled students at 91吃瓜.

Definition(s)

Registered: an approved status for student organizations.

Student Organization: a registered group of students organized with a similar interest or acting towards a particular cause.

GPA: Grade Point Average

Student Organization Officer: (referenced as Major Student Government and Minor Student Representative Officers within the CSU memorandum 鈥淢inimum Academic Qualifications for Student Office Holders鈥�) 91吃瓜 defines a Student Organization/Representative Officer as any student who is elected or appointed into a position as delineated by the student organization鈥檚 constitution to be an officer.

Student Organization Member: a student in a general membership role without a specific title or job function.

Text

Eligibility requirements will be reviewed each semester by University personnel.

Minimum eligibility requirements to be a member of a student organization at 91吃瓜:

Must be enrolled as a student at 91吃瓜.
Must adhere to membership requirement established by each student organization that aligns with their purpose. These requirements shall be regulated by the organization.
Must adhere to any restrictions placed on student involvement in student organizations as determined on a case-by-case basis by University Judicial Officers.

Minimum eligibility requirements to be an officer of a student organization at 91吃瓜:

Must be enrolled in no less than six units at 91吃瓜 (undergraduates).
Must be enrolled in no less than three units at 91吃瓜 (graduate and credential).
Have a cumulative, 91吃瓜 and semester GPA of at least 2.5 (undergraduates).
Have not exceeded a maximum of 150 semester units, or 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree, whichever is greater (undergraduates).
Have a cumulative, 91吃瓜 and semester GPA of at least 3.0 (graduate and credential).
Have not exceeded a maximum of 50 semester units, or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential objective, whichever is greater (graduate and credential). Be in good academic and behavioral standing (not on academic or disciplinary probation).
Be free of any holds on University records.

An officer or potential candidate who is ineligible due to failing to meet the GPA requirement may submit an appeal to Student Organizations & Involvement for a one-semester (one-time) probationary status to retain or assume the position(s) held or sought at the time the appeal is submitted. The request must explain the circumstances that led to an unsatisfactory GPA and provide an action plan for academic success. Appeal forms may be obtained from Student Organizations & Involvement. Students may submit an appeal as soon as grades are posted but no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each semester. Student Organizations & Involvement will issue decisions by the second Thursday of each semester. Students may maintain their role as an officer or potential candidate until Student Organizations & Involvement has issued a final decision. Appeals will not be considered for officers who fall below the CSU mandated requirements or officers of new organizations.

Failure to meet the above requirements will result in the member鈥檚 or officer鈥檚 removal from office or from the student organization鈥檚 roster, whichever is applicable. In the event that a student organization permits non- eligible members/officers to remain active in their role, the student organization could be placed on probation, suspended from active registration for a designated period of time or lose registered status.

First time college and transfer students without a 91吃瓜 GPA cannot serve as officers but may participate as general members their first semester. However, upon completion of their first semester they must follow the eligibility requirements outlined above.

Student organizations may impose more restrictive requirements in their constitution(s) or bylaws.

Exhibit(s)

References:
Terenzini, P. T., Pascarella, E. T., & Blimling, G. S. (1996). Students鈥� out-of-class experiences and their influence on learning and cognitive development: A literature review. Journal of College Student Development, 37, 149-162.

Astin, A. W. (1977). Four critical years. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Astin, A. W. (1999). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Development, 40, 518-529.