New Organizations

A student organization is defined as a group of currently enrolled West Chester University students who unite to promote a common interest. These organizations are student-initiated and student-run. All student organizations are governed by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement. 

To create a new student organization or program, follow the link: Steps for New Organization Recognition.

Anyone can start an organization! One individual or multiple students with a common interest can work to start a new club.

Contact us: For questions about new student organizations: Meghan Gaffney, mgaffney@wcupa.edu or 610.436.2117. For questions regarding recruitment, flyers, or running meetings: Shaina Mason (SM717128@wcupa.edu) or Ali Soscia (AS672601@wcupa.edu).

All recognized organizations have to promote unique missions. This resource can be used for students to seek out similar opportunities before pursuing the new organization process. Check the directory to see if your ideas are being fulfilled elsewhere.

To view a Student Organization Directory , follow the link: Student Organization Directory .

For clubs that previously existed, all files are retained. Schedule a meeting with the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI) to obtain copies of old bylaws and advisor information so the process is less-daunting.

Once recognized, clubs are on probation for a year without funding so SGA and SLI can see how their efforts unfold. After the probationary year, all organizations are eligible to request funding from SGA, even if they did not originally think they would need it.

Graduate students can start their own organizations, but graduate and undergraduate students cannot participate in the same organizations at this time based on fees. Student activity fees are paid solely by undergraduates, so only undergraduates can benefit from the resources obtained through those funds.

In order to be a recoginized organization by SGA, all new and current organizations must follow all procedures outlined in the following documents:

SGA_SOPP_Revised_2012 - This manual is intended to serve as a collection of all rules and regulations concerning student organizations at West Chester University.

SGA_Bylaws_2012 - Revised Spring 2012.

SGA_blank_bylaws1 - An example of formatted bylaws for your organization.

OrgSync is like Facebook for organizations! Another way students can determine if their organization of interest exists is to search it on the OrySync homepage. All recognized groups have a page. Students seeking to start new organizations will be given direction to create OrgSync portals for their groups in-progress. The electronic portal will assist students in staying in contact with SLI staff, the SGA Parliamentarian and Leadership Consultants through the process. *Everything you need to know about managing your OrgSync account can be found under the resources page. You can click the graphic below to be directed to the resources page.

Sports Clubs also require approval from the Sports Club Council. A requests to form a sports clubs cannot be honored if varsity sports exist on campus. Interest in organizations for special interest or instructional purposes can still go through the process as a non-sports related club.

Questions can be directed to Craig Leduc, cleduc@wcupa.edu or 610.436.6928.