I want to Start a Student Club at Lehigh!

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Congratulations on your interest in starting a student organization on Lehigh's campus. Student run clubs and organizations provide students opportunities to meet new people, enhance personal skill sets and help to shape the campus community.

I want to Start a Club at Lehigh!

What is the club/organization Student-Senate recognition process and where can I find the application?

The Club Recognition Process is overseen by the VP of Engagement of Student Senate. Throughout the process, the Office of Student Involvement provides support to both the committee and the students interested in starting a club.  New groups seeking first-time recognition from Student Senate must submit a completed application on LINC. The application can be found here.

What are the benefits to becoming a Student Senate recognized club, and do I need Student Senate recognition to operate as a club?

Being Student-Senate recognized allows clubs/organizations to have official affiliation with the University, a group page on LINC, guidance from the Campus Events Advisory Group (CEAG), the ability to reserve spaces on campus for meetings/events, as well as the ability to obtain annual funding from Student Senate. However, you do not necessarily need to be Student Senate-recognized to operate as a club on campus. You may still hold meetings, events, have group messages going, and operate as a club would. Being Student Senate-recognized provides benefits in terms of more guaranteed funding and support.

Clubs and organizations, regardless of Student Senate recognition status, have access to the SOuRCe (Lehigh's club and organization resource center), a table at both the Fall and Spring Club Expos, and event guidance and organizational support from the Office of Student Involvement.

Who oversees the recognition process?

The Club Recognition Process is overseen by the VP of Engagement of Student Senate.

If you have questions or comments regarding the VP of Engagement, please contact Edward Lopez at inclubaf@lehigh.edu.

What is needed in my club recognition application and where do I find the application?

The club recognition application on LINC will ask that you submit the following information: 

  • General club information, including a club title, primary contact, and purpose/mission statement.
  • All executive board members and contact information. Officers must be undergraduate students enrolled at Lehigh University, and must consist of a President, Vice President, and Treasurer at the minimum.
  • Identification of a full-time faculty/staff advisor. 
  • Roster of general members (recommended).
  • A club constitution (See resources below for help in writing a constitution).

To access the application:

1. Log into your LINC account with your Lehigh credentials.

2. Select the "Forms" tab.

3. Select the form titled "2024-2025 New Club Recognition Application" and follow the application prompts.

What happens after I apply?

Upon completion and submission of the Club Recognition application:

The VP of Engagement of Student Senate will review the application materials and request a meeting with the interested group. The meeting will consist of a (maximum) ten minute presentation with an additional five minutes for questions.

The Office of Student Involvement will also e-mail the Lehigh faculty or staff member to confirm that they have agreed to serve in the advisor role.

The VP of Engagement will take the application to the full Student Senate for vote on whether to grant the group preliminary recognition (Trial Club Status) for a minimum of six (6) academic weeks or deny the application.

Following the sixth (6th) academic week preliminary recognition period, the group will present their progress as a club to the VP of Engagement to gain full recognition status.

When can I apply to be a Student Senate-recognized club?

WAVE 1
Application opens - 8/26/24
Application closes - 9/9/24
Preliminary meetings begin -9/15/24
Preliminary meetings end - 9/27/24
Send preliminary bill to full senate -10/1/24
Trial period begins - 10/2/24
Trial period ends - 11/13/24
Secondary meetings begin - 11/14/24
Secondary meetings end - 11/25/24

Send secondary bill to full senate - 11/26/24

 

WAVE 2
Application opens -  1/20/25

Application closes -  2/3/25
Preliminary meetings begin -2/10/25
Preliminary meetings end -2/17/25
Send preliminary bill to full senate - 2/18/25
Trial period begins - 2/19/25
Trial period ends -  4/2/25

Secondary meetings begin -4/7/25

Secondary meetings end -4/18/25
Send secondary bill to full senate -4/22/25

 
Why wasn't my club recognized?

The VP of Engagement and Student Senate may not recognize a club for any of the following reasons: if the club violates Lehigh University policies, if it is not open to all students on campus, or there is already a club on campus that encompasses the purpose of the inquiring club.

Example Club Constitution and Senate Resources

Model Constitution (Word document download) - Please see this template for creating a Constitution for your club or organization.

Student Senate Bylaws - This information contains pertinent information on recognition of clubs on campus.

Student Senate Club Affairs Committee - A resource for all clubs and organizations.

I am a graduate student at Lehigh. How can I start a club?

The aforementioned trial club process applies to undergraduate student club recognition. Graduate students club recognition proceeds through the Graduate Student Senate. More information about the graduate club recognition process can be found here.

Who can I contact for support in starting a club?

For support, please contact the Assistant Director for Clubs and Orgs, Brooke Novotnak at brn223@lehigh.edu or VP of Engagement, Edward Lopez at inclubaf@lehigh.edu.