Start a New Student Organization
The process for starting a new organization is available through Heel Life. Not sure if your organization has been registered in the past? Contact us at studentorgs@unc.edu before applying so we can make sure you submit the correct form.
- Please note that while there are two distinct registration periods each year that are based on when a group transitions leadership, brand new groups may apply for initial registration at any time between August 15th and April 1st.
- Please allow a minimum of fifteen (15) academic class days for review of your application (a longer period of time may be required during renewal periods).
The requirements to receive approval are:
- Complete the online New Organization Registration Form. See below for details.
- Secondary officer completes the Online Officer Orientation Form. The new form for 2023-2024 will be available on August 15. Note that this is separate from the Treasurer's Test.
- The advisor must complete the Online Advisor Agreement form. This cannot be completed by a student. The new form for 2023-2024 will be available August 15.
- Attend a New Organization Meeting with staff from Student Life & Leadership. This is the last step before the registration form is approved.
How to Access the Online Registration Form
- Select the "Log In" icon at the top right corner of the page
- Use your ONYEN and ONYEN password to log in
- Select the "Organizations" link from the menu on the left side of the page
- Select the “Register an Organization” link in the middle of the page
- Scroll to bottom of the page to locate the blue "Register a New Organization” button
What information will I need to provide on this form?
- Requirements of Registration
- This will include stipulations of your group composition, as well as requirements regarding adhering to university, state & federal policies
- Advisor requirements. Find more info on student organization advisors here.
- Affiliations
- Any association with campus offices, departments, national, or international organizations.
- Contact and Organizational Information for:
- President, Treasurer and Advisor
- Organization Info: Composition (undergraduate, graduate, both), Election Date, Membership Count
- Organization Constitution and Bylaws
- You will need to provide a copy of your constitution and bylaws. If you have questions about the format, a sample outline and info on how to get more help can be found at the bottom of this page.
- General Information
- Official Name (must follow the format found here.)
- Acronym / Nickname
- Organization Description Summary
- External Organization Links
- Contact Information & Address
- Organization Logo / Picture
- Must be in line with the University requirements found here.
Registration Includes
A. Reservation of specified University facilities, property, services, or equipment in accordance with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Facilities Use Policy (https://facilities.unc.edu/resources/policies/).
B. Use of the University’s name in the organization’s title, so long as University sponsorship or endorsement is not implied or stated.
New student organizations that wish to use the University’s name in the organization’s title may do so, as long as University sponsorship or endorsement is not implied or stated. If an organization uses the University’s name, it must adhere to one of the following naming conventions:
- Organization Name at (The) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Organization Name at UNC-CH
- Organization Name at UNC-Chapel Hill
- Organization Name at Carolina
The organization name may not use any of the following naming conventions:
- UNC Organization Name
- Carolina Organization Name
- UNC-Chapel Hill Organization Name
- UNC-CH Organization Name
- Tar Heel(s) Organization Name
- Heel(s) Organization Name
C. Access to funding from the Student Activity Fee that is legislatively apportioned by the Undergraduate Senate and the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, and in some cases access to fees from other fee-allocating bodies.
D. Assistance from Student Affairs including, but not limited to, the Carolina Union and Student Life & Leadership, Accessibility Resources & Service, and Campus Recreation. Available are: leadership training and educational workshops, general organizational advisement, assistance in publicity and marketing, program planning advisement, reference materials, and more.
Registration Does NOT Include:
A. Tax exempt status and/or use of the University’s tax ID number.
B. Guaranteed funding for the student organization.
C. Endorsement of the viewpoints of the student organization