Start a New Student Organization
There is a process through which a new organization may be registered. The process for starting a new organization is available through Heel Life. Keep in mind that new student organizations must not duplicate currently existing student organizations. Not sure if your organization has been registered in the past? Contact us at [email protected] before applying so we can make sure you submit the correct form.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the application period during which new groups may apply will be October 1 through October 31. The next opportunity to apply as a new group will be the following academic year. Should you intend to apply for this year, please make sure you are preparing in advance to submit during the application window.
To begin the process of applying as a new group, all of the following must be completed during the application period:
- Complete the online New Organization Registration Form. See below for details.
- The president AND treasurer of the organization must complete the Online Officer Orientation . 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.
- Complete any additional requirements as noted in the application form.
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.
- Organizations who are affiliated with an (inter)national organization will be asked to provide documentation showing they are in good standing with the larger organization. The documentation must include confirmation from the (inter)national organization that it is not for-profit. This needs to be uploaded to the application form, so please plan ahead.
- 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