General Policies for Graduate Student Organizations

Baylor University values the rich opportunities for learning, service, spiritual formation, cultural understanding and leadership development that graduate student organizations provide. Consequently, the university empowers the Graduate Student Association to review and recommend for approval graduate student organizations that are consistent with university’s mission and meet the requirements as noted within the registration process. A graduate student organization may not use University resources, including the University’s name, facilities, or technology services, to engage in activities contrary to or in support of causes that conflict with the University’s mission, values, and/or policies.

Established Procedures

Every student organization recognized as a GSA Partner Group should submit up-to-date Established Procedures that are aligned with the GSA Constitution when officers change. These updated Established Procedures must detail:

• Name of organization (and any national affiliation)
• Any amendments to the Partner Group's goals for the year (the group's purpose does not need to be amended after the group is officially recognized as a partner)
• List of officers and their emails
• Clear definition of membership requirements and a list of current members
• Faculty advisor
• Detail the following:
  • One proposed Fall semester event
  • One proposed Spring semester event
  • A brief description of each event and an estimated cost

*If your program operates on a trimester schedule, please share two events you propose to host for students, when you'd like to host them, and the estimated cost of each event.

Risk Management Policy

In accordance with Texas state law, GSA will attend a risk management program offered each semester by the Department of Student Activities in conjunction with Risk Management, Student Conduct Administration, and the Office of General Counsel. It will then disseminate learnings to graduate student groups. All Baylor University student organizations are required to send one or more officers and advisors to the mandatory risk management program specific to graduate student groups once every three years or in any year with constitutional edits. Due to the low level of risk involved in their activities, academic student organizations that meet all of the following criteria are exempt from attending this risk management program: 

• Exist solely for honorary, achievement-based academic purposes
• Induct new members without hosting recruitment events or activities
• Host only induction ceremonies (and not any other events throughout the course of the semester)

Connect Software System

Baylor University graduate student organizations must contact the GSA leadership and the Department of Student Activities if wanting access to the Connect software system each academic year.