Janice Lozano
West Virginia University (WVU) is home to a plethora of student organizations, with over 450 cultural, religious, athletic, and academic groups. Students who are unable to find a group that interests them are encouraged to start their own. To form a student union at WVU, students must first designate four primary officers, including a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, as well as a Faculty/Staff Advisor. The group must then consist of at least five active members and have at least one officer complete the required training. Additionally, groups must register on WVUEngage and upload their constitution, attend a registration workshop, and complete the Finance and Title IX modules.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | West Virginia United Students' Union (WVUSU) |
| Founding Date | Leading up to the fall semester of 2023 |
| Founding Members | West Virginia University undergraduates |
| Purpose | Consolidating and strategically directing student power at West Virginia University (WVU) |
| Membership | Over 400 members |
| Activities | Organizing a student walkout in response to the university's recommended budget cuts and reductions |
| Registration Requirements | Complete the online registration process on WVUEngage, have 4 primary officers and a faculty/staff advisor, 5 active members, attend a registration workshop, complete the Finance and Title IX modules, upload the current organization constitution |
| Recognition Requirements | Present to and gain approval from the Student Government Association (SGA) at one of their Wednesday meetings, receive official approval and meet all requirements |
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What You'll Learn
Register your student organization
To register a student organization at West Virginia University, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the WVU Engage platform, which is the online hub for student organizations at WVU. Here, you can browse through the 450+ existing student organizations and register a new organization by clicking "Register a New Organization."
- Ensure you have the required number of members and officers. You need at least five active members, including four primary officers: a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Additionally, you must have a Faculty/Staff Advisor who is a full-time WVU employee.
- Prepare the necessary documents, including the organization's constitution. A template is provided on the platform, outlining the required sections.
- Have at least one officer complete the mandatory trainings, which include the Advisor Training Module, Finance Module, and Title IX Module.
- Attend a Registration Workshop. Dates for these workshops can be found on WVU Engage.
- Present your organization to the Student Government Association (SGA) for approval. SGA meetings are typically held every Wednesday night during the academic year.
- Once you receive official approval and meet all the requirements, you will be notified through WVU Engage that your organization has been successfully registered.
The university provides resources and support for students interested in starting a new organization. If you need assistance or have any questions throughout the process, you can refer to the WVU Engage platform and its How-To Series for step-by-step guidance.
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Have a leadership team
West Virginia University has over 450 student organizations, ranging from cultural and religious organizations to club sports and major-related groups. If you want to form a student union, it's important to have a strong leadership team in place to guide and support your efforts. Here are some key considerations for building an effective leadership team:
Identify Your Goals and Objectives
Start by clearly defining the goals and objectives of your student union. Are you focused on academic representation, social advocacy, or something else entirely? Understanding your goals will help you identify the skills and roles needed within your leadership team.
Determine Required Roles and Responsibilities
Most student organizations at West Virginia University require four primary officers: a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each of these roles has specific responsibilities that are crucial to the functioning and success of your student union. The President typically leads the group and represents the union in various settings. The Vice President supports the President and may take on additional specific projects. The Treasurer manages the finances, and the Secretary maintains records and handles correspondence.
Recruit Dedicated Individuals
Look for individuals who are passionate about your student union's cause and committed to driving change. They should be willing to dedicate their time and energy to the role and possess strong leadership qualities. Remember that diversity is a strength, so aim for a team with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skill sets.
Provide Leadership Development Opportunities
Once you have identified potential leaders, invest in their growth and development. West Virginia University offers leadership skills development through individual programs, retreats, and experiential learning opportunities. Encourage your leadership team to participate in these programs to enhance their skills and better serve your student union.
Assign Roles and Delegate Tasks
After assembling your leadership team, clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each position and assign them accordingly. Ensure that each leader understands their duties and has the necessary tools and resources to fulfill them effectively. Regularly communicate and provide support to address any challenges they may face.
Foster Collaboration and Teamwork
A successful leadership team functions collaboratively, leveraging the strengths of each member. Encourage open communication, respect for diverse viewpoints, and a unified commitment to your student union's goals. Regular team meetings and social events can help build camaraderie and a sense of collective purpose.
By following these steps and maintaining a dedicated focus on effective leadership, you can establish a strong foundation for your student union at West Virginia University. Remember to utilize the resources and support provided by the university, such as the Student Government Association and the Student Engagement and Leadership team, to enhance your leadership capabilities and achieve your organizational goals.
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Find members
To form a student union at West Virginia University, you will need to find at least five active members, including four primary officers: a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. A Faculty/Staff Advisor is also required, and they must be full-time WVU employees.
To find members, you can start by reaching out to your personal network of friends and classmates who share your interests and may be interested in joining. You can also utilize the university's online platform, WVUEngage, to find and connect with potential members. This platform allows you to browse and join organizations, so you can explore existing groups with similar interests and connect with their members.
Additionally, you can attend student organization events and meetings to network and spread the word about your new student union. Many student organizations at WVU cover a wide range of interests, from cultural and religious groups to club sports and major-related societies. By attending their events, you can meet potential members who are already engaged in campus activities and may be open to joining something new.
Social media can also be a powerful tool to connect with potential members. Create a social media page or group for your student union and promote it widely across different platforms. This will help spread awareness and attract members who may not be actively involved in other campus organizations.
Finally, you can collaborate with existing student organizations or university departments that have similar goals or interests. By partnering with them, you can gain access to their members or participants, who may be potential recruits for your student union. You can also organize joint events or campaigns to attract a wider range of students and increase your membership base.
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Complete required training
To form a student union at West Virginia University, you must complete the required training. This includes having at least one officer of the student union complete the following three training modules: the Finance Module, the Title IX Module, and the Advisor Training Module. These modules typically consist of a video and a completion form.
In addition to the training modules, the student union must also complete a Registration Workshop. The dates for this workshop can be found on WVUEngage.
The student union must also ensure that their Faculty/Staff Advisor completes the mandatory Advisor Training Module & Agreement Form. This form also consists of a video and a completion form. The advisor must log in to WVUEngage to access the completion form and accept membership to the student union.
It is important to note that the student union should also familiarise themselves with the various resources and support offered by WVUEngage. This platform provides guidance and tools to help student organisations manage their activities effectively.
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Get official approval
To get official approval for a student union at West Virginia University, you must follow the steps outlined by the university. Here is a detailed breakdown of the process:
Firstly, you will need to ensure you have the required number of members and officers. Your student union must have at least five active members, including four primary officers: a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Additionally, you must appoint a Faculty/Staff Advisor, who is a full-time WVU employee.
Next, you should familiarise yourself with the various requirements and resources available on the WVUEngage platform. This platform is a valuable tool for managing student organisations and provides important information and guidance. You must register your new organisation by clicking "Register a New Organisation" on WVUEngage. As part of the registration process, you will need to upload your organisation's constitution, which should follow the provided template.
It is important that at least one officer completes the necessary trainings, which include the Advisor Training Module & Agreement Form, the Finance Module, and the Title IX Module. You will also need to attend a Registration Workshop, details of which can be found on WVUEngage.
Once you have completed all the above steps, you will need to present your student union to the Student Government Association (SGA) for approval. These meetings are held every Wednesday night during the academic year at 7:30 p.m. After presenting, the SGA will give final approval to determine recognition of your student union.
Once you have received official approval and met all the requirements, you will be notified by WVUEngage that your organisation has been successfully registered.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your student union at West Virginia University receives official approval and recognition from the university.
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Frequently asked questions
To start a student union at West Virginia University, you must follow the steps outlined on the WVUEngage platform. You will need to designate at least five active members, including four officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) and a Faculty/Staff Advisor. You will also need to upload a current organization constitution and have at least one officer complete the required trainings. Finally, you will need to present to and be approved by the Student Government Association (SGA) at one of their meetings.
A student union is an organization that aims to consolidate and strategically direct student power at a university. They work to protect the interests and rights of students and often serve as a platform for student representation and engagement.
Starting a student union can provide students with a sense of community and empowerment. It can also be a platform for students to develop leadership skills and have their voices heard by university administration.
There are over 450 student organizations at West Virginia University, ranging from cultural and religious groups to club sports and major-related groups.
West Virginia University offers a range of resources for student organizations, including the Student Organization Resource Center, which provides free printing, craft supplies, and other amenities. The university also offers leadership development programs, an online platform for managing organizations, and support through the Student Engagement and Leadership team.
