students walking on campus

Start a New Student Organization

Can't find the group your looking for? Have an idea for a new group? Start your own campus-wide student organization.

Privileges of Student Organizations

  • Meet on campus
  • Reserve and use MUSC facilities, equipment, and services
  • Publish organization’s information in the MUSC Student Handbook
  • Disseminate information on meetings, programs, and services through the MUSC communication network (student and employee broadcast email systems, online calendar "Student News & Events" and The Catalyst)
  • Participate in the annual Student Activities Fair held each year in mid-September
  • Establish a MUSC-linked web page
  • Raise funds

Student Organization Manual

Students, advisors, and others affiliated with a recognized student organization must comply with all MUSC policies as well as federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Receiving recognition status does not indicate the University’s endorsement of the merits of an organization’s mission, purpose, or activity. The Manual for Student Organizations compiles policies, guidelines, and resources relevant to Recognized Student Organizations. All students and organizations will be accountable for the policies included herein and any policies in the individual college handbooks and departmental publications. Students are encouraged to access this manual as well as college information for complete policy definitions and guidelines in original policy documents. This manual will be updated as necessary.

Student Organization Manual (PDF)

Application Process

Any group of students desiring recognition as a MUSC student organization must register their new organization through the MUSC Engage platform. In addition to completing the new organization registration application, new student groups must also submit a copy of the group's constitution and bylaws.

Use the link below to access the MUSC Engage Student Organization website. Once on the website, select "Register An Organization" on the right navigation panel, then scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Register a New Organization". 

Click Here to Complete Your Application

Constitutions

A constitution is the basic framework of an organization. It should state the purpose and should indicate the number of officers and the method of their selection, requirements for membership, and other general operating procedures which might be subject to frequent change. Detailed methods of doing business and specific rules belong in a document called the by-laws. For example, the constitution would establish the fact that dues are a requirement for membership and would outline the method of determining the amount of dues. The by-laws would then state the specific dues structure.

Click Here To See A Sample (PDF)

Maintaining Recognition 

To retain recognition, student organizations must complete the Annual Student Organization Registration.

Establishing An Organizational Bank Account

Recognized student organizations operate at MUSC under the auspices of the Office of Student Engagement. Organizations requesting use of MUSC’s name and federal ID number on bank accounts must get prior approval from the Executive Director of Student Engagement, who will submit a request for approval from the State Treasurer’s Office if deemed appropriate.

Organizations that opt to set up an external bank account must comply with the University policy memorandum ID# AA-2005-01-STUDENTS found at the link provided above. Compliance includes refraining from the use of the university’s tax ID number and the words “Medical University of South Carolina” in the name on your organization and its bank account.

Persons with questions regarding organization funds and bank accounts should contact their Deans Office and/or the Executive Director of Student Engagement at 843-792-2693 for more information.

View the Student Organization Bank Account and Agency Fund Policy

Promoting Your Organization

Ready to start promoting your organization and events? Check out the resources located on the Student Communications page.

Use of the MUSC Logo 

Many student organizations want to reproduce the official MUSC logo on t-shirts, mugs, decals, etc. This is fine as long as the graphics standards for the logo described in detail at MUSC.edu are followed. Verbiage that is in good taste and does not misrepresent the University may also be included with the logo according to the specified spatial guidelines. If the verbiage your organization would like to include with the logo or the use of the logo is at all questionable, please contact the Coordinator for Student Communications at 843-792-2695.

Student Organization Events With Alcohol

Before planning an event with alcohol, please review the MUSC Student Alcohol Policy. For questions regarding this policy and your event, please contact the Executive Director of Student Engagement at 843-792-2693.