Starting a New Club
Starting a New Student Organization
Students interested in starting a new student organization at Hamilton College may apply for recognition through the process established by the Student Activities Office and the Student Government Alliance (SGA). Applications must be submitted by currently enrolled Hamilton College students only.
The opportunity to apply for recognition typically takes place once per academic year, at the discretion of the Student Activities Office, with the anticipated application period beginning after Fall Break. A campus-wide email will be sent when the application process opens, including the application timeline, deadlines, and submission instructions. Submitting an application does not guarantee recognition.
Timeline for Starting a New Student Organization
Fall 2025 timeline
- November 17, 2025 - New Student Organization application opens
- November 21, 2025 at 4pm - New Student Organization application closes
- Club Review Board meets December 1-December 8, 2025
- Application decisions - Sent out by December 12, 2025
- Appeals due December 14, 2025 at 11:59pm
- Final decisions sent by December 17, 2025
New Student Organization Recognition
The SGA proposed new student organization application is now open.
The form will close promptly at 4:30PM on Friday, November 21, 2025.
The student organization recognition process is designed to:
- Establish a fair and consistent process for reviewing and recognizing new student organizations.
- Support the development of student organizations that contribute positively to the Hamilton College community.
- Encourage a diverse range of student organizations that reflect the interests and needs of students.
- Provide recognized student organizations with access to College resources, facilities, and support.
- Promote student leadership, personal development, and opportunities for learning outside the classroom.
A student organization is a group that is established, led, and operated by currently enrolled Hamilton College students and officially recognized through the Student Government Alliance (SGA) Club Review Board and the Student Activities Office. Recognized student organizations represent a variety of interests, including academic, cultural, recreational, and service-oriented initiatives.
Student organizations are expected to maintain an active membership, establish a student leadership structure, and operate in accordance with Hamilton College policies and the Student Organization Manual.
Recognized student organizations at Hamilton College have access to a variety of resources and privileges to support their activities, including:
- Use of College Name and Marketing Resources: Use the Hamilton College name in accordance with College policies and access available promotional resources.
- Organization Email Account: Receive a dedicated organization email account for official communication.
- Mass Email Privileges: Request approval to send campus-wide emails to promote organization events and activities.
- Campus Space Reservations: Request campus spaces for meetings, programs, and events, as well as College vehicles for approved off-campus activities.
- Posting Privileges: Display posters and promotional materials in designated campus locations in accordance with College posting policies.
- SGA Funding: Request funding through the Student Government Alliance (SGA), subject to established funding policies and procedures.
- Fundraising Opportunities: Host approved fundraising activities in accordance with College policies.
- Access to College Services: Request services from the College Print Shop, Facilities Management, AV Services, and Parkhurst Catering.
- Financial Resources: Request access to available cash boxes, cash advances, College credit cards, and Hill Card readers for approved organization activities.
- Vendor and Contract Support: Receive assistance from the Student Activities Office with reviewing and processing contracts and agreements for performers, vendors, and other event services.
The Club Review Board (CRB) is a student committee within the Student Government Alliance (SGA) responsible for reviewing and making decisions on applications for new student organizations at Hamilton College.
The CRB is chaired by the SGA Organization Chair and includes four additional student representatives from the SGA Central Council. The committee is advised by a staff member from the Student Activities Office, who provides guidance and support throughout the recognition process.
Applications for proposed student organizations that fall under the Spiritual and Religious Life or Club Sports clusters will be reviewed and decided upon by their respective departments. Spiritual and Religious Life applications will be reviewed by the Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life, while Club Sports applications will be reviewed by the Athletics Department.
Applications for new student organization recognition will be evaluated by the Club Review Board (CRB) based on the following criteria:
- Adherence to College Policies: The proposed organization must comply with all Hamilton College policies, the Code of Student Conduct, and the Student Organization Manual.
- Unique Mission and Purpose: The proposed organization must have a distinct mission and purpose that does not duplicate the mission, goals, or activities of an existing recognized student organization. This distinction must be clearly outlined in the proposed organization's constitution.
- Clear Goals and Objectives: The proposed organization must identify clear goals and objectives that align with its mission and intended activities.
- Student Leadership and Local Autonomy: The proposed organization must be established, led, and operated by Hamilton College students, with no direction or interference from external entities, such as parent organizations or national chapters. If any external guidelines conflict with the Code of Student Conduct, the Student Organization Manual, or Hamilton College's nondiscrimination policy, these conflicts must be addressed, and the conflicting guidelines explicitly disavowed in the organization's constitution for approval. The organization must not primarily serve as a fundraising vehicle or event host for outside entities.
- Benefit to the Hamilton Community: The proposed organization must demonstrate how its mission, activities, and programs will positively contribute to the Hamilton College community.
- Funding Proposal: Applicants must submit a proposed budget that outlines anticipated expenses and demonstrates how the organization's activities could be supported through Student Government Alliance (SGA) funding in accordance with established SGA Funding Codes..
- Membership Requirements: The proposed organization must demonstrate interest from at least 20 unique, currently enrolled Hamilton College students, including:
- Executive Board: Four students serving as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Graduating seniors are not eligible to serve on the proposed executive board, and juniors may hold no more than 50% of these positions.
- General Membership: At least 16 additional students who are not serving on the proposed executive board.
- Leadership and Sustainability Plan: Applicants must provide a plan for selecting future student leaders, maintaining membership, and supporting the organization's continued operation beyond its initial year.
- Completion of Recognition Requirements: Applicants must complete all required application materials, meetings, and other steps established by the Student Activities Office as part of the recognition process.
When you submit your application to start a new student organization, you will need to draft and upload an Event Planning document for your proposed organization. Your Event Planning document should follow this template provided by the Student Activities Office. Download the template and fill it in for your specific organization. All sections must be included.
When you submit your application to start a new student organization, you will need to draft and upload a Constitution for your proposed organization. Your Constitution should follow the Constitution Template provided by the Student Activities Office. Download the template and fill it in for your specific organization. All sections in red MUST be included.
Once a new student organization has been approved by the Club Review Board (CRB), the following steps are taken to officially activate the organization:
- Official Recognition: The organization will receive official recognition from the Student Activities Office.
- Conditional Recognition Status: New student organizations will be placed on Conditional Recognition status until they complete several required tasks:
- Attend the mandatory student organization training, mandatory budget training, Title IX Training, and host an interest meeting
- Privileges Granted: The new organization will have the privileges to send all-campus emails, reserve rooms for events, and start recruiting members at the start of the spring semester.
- Probationary Funding Period: The new organization will enter a probationary period for funding for the remainder of the academic year. After attending the mandatory budget training, they can request up to $500 total from the Student Government Alliance.
- Access to Resources: The organization gains access to College resources, including the ability to reserve rooms for meetings and events, request marketing support, and utilize campus services.
All required trainings will be scheduled, and new club leaders will be notified of the training dates and times.
If your new organization application has been denied, you have the option to submit a written appeal. Appeals must be submitted within one week and will be reviewed by the Student Government Alliance Organization Chairs and advisor.
Appeals Process:
- Submit Your Appeal: Send a written request outlining your reasons for the appeal to sgaorgs@hamilton.edu.
- Deadline: Sunday, December 14th at 11:59pm
- Response: The appeal will be reviewed, and a response will be made via email by December 17, 2025.
Please note that this decision is final and cannot be appealed.
