New Club Process

• SECOND YEAR SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023 [COMPLETED FOR 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR]
  • PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
    • CMC Advisor, Faculty Representation, and OSA approval is needed no later than Friday, October 13, 2023​​​​​​
  • AFFINITY/ATHLETIC/COMMUNITY SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL/SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS:
    • CMC and/or faculty representative if club has professional/career elements AND/OR OSA approval is needed no later than Friday, October 13, 2023
• FIRST YEAR SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024 - FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024
  • PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
    • CMC Advisor, Faculty Representation, and OSA approval is needed no later than Friday, February 16, 2024​​​​​​.
  • AFFINITY/ATHLETIC/COMMUNITY SERVICE/INTERNATIONAL/SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS:
    • CMC and/or faculty representative if club has professional/career elements AND/OR OSA approval is needed no later than Friday, February 16, 2024.

NOTE: Late applications will not be accepted, nor will requests to meet for approval be accepted after the posted deadline above.

FIRST YEAR STUDENT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• First year students in their first semester are not eligible to serve on founding executive boards
• First year students in their second semester are eligible to serve on founding executive boards

SECOND YEAR STUDENT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Second year students in their first semester are eligible to serve on founding executive boards
• Second year students in their second semester are eligible to serve on founding executive boards that consist of at least half of the required positions* being filled by first year-second semester students.

*Required positions for all clubs include President(s), VP of Finance and VP of Events

Note: At least one founding member of an executive board must have previously served as AVP for a CBS student club. This AVP must hold one of the required executive board roles above.

• A prior AVP term is considered at least one academic semester in the role for first year students and one academic year in the role for second year students

1. Review your eligibility to apply for a new student club
2. Review and acknowledge the upcoming Top Items to Consider section (located in application and below) and acknowledge that your proposed executive board believes your club would be a unique addition to the CBS community.
3. Review all current student organization policies and procedures outlined on the Student Leader Resource site.
4. Schedule an initial meeting with the Student Government VP of Clubs to discuss organizational subject matter, ideas and feasibility.
5. WITH VP OF CLUBS APPROVAL: Submit completed new student organization application by Friday, March 1, 2024. ​​​​​​Note that all staff (CMC, OSA, etc.) and faculty approvals should be completed by Friday, February 16, 2024.
6. Schedule meeting time with OSA and the Student Government VP of Clubs to discuss your application and ideas for a new organization by Friday, February 16, 2024.
7. WITH OSA APPROVAL: Schedule a pitch presentation for a Student Government Meeting with the VP of Clubs.
8. Student Government members will vote on club eligibility with next steps to be further communicated.

A completed club application includes:

1. Club Basics (including mission, goals, submission of club charter, proposed plan of events and budget)
2. Peer School analysis (reviewing similar clubs at other M7 schools)
3. CBS Student Organization Analysis (reviewing current clubs at CBS)
4. Statement of Support (from other club Presidents, administration and/or faculty)

• How is this student organization unique? Will it duplicate efforts set forth by other student organizations and/or CBS departments, academics or centers? Can this student organization’s focus be implemented in other current organizations on campus?
• Is this student organization sustainable? Will you be able to easily recruit students to take on leadership roles for next academic year?
• Does your student organization require space? Does your organization require a Columbia bank account?
• Would this student organization advance Columbia Business School’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion?
• Would this student organization meet all required policies and procedures set forth by the CBS Student Leader Guide and Columbia University code of conduct? Would this organization’s focus/content potentially be a liability to Columbia?
• Does this student organization represent an in-demand industry, need of the general community or just personal interests?

New clubs that are approved by CBS administrative partners and voted on by Student Government to become recognized student organizations benefit from exclusive access, support and resources.

Note that certain benefits will only become available to student clubs after the probation period is complete.

Membership Recruitment Opportunities

• Required participation in Fall & Spring semester Club Day.

CBS Brand & Space

• Allowed use of Columbia Business School logos and branding approved by Marketing & Communications.
• Allowed use of Columbia Business School spaces (classrooms and event spaces) and tabling, as well as access to Columbia University managed venues.
• Permission to promote club sponsored events on TV screens across Kravis and Geffen Halls.
• Permission to participate in competitions, inter-collegiate and inter-Business School events as representatives of Columbia Business School.

CBS Technology Resources

• CampusGroups portal which hosts memberships, e-mail functionality, website builders, elections & more.
• Official club e-mail that is provided to all club officers.

Financial Funding & Support

• Use of a Columbia University chartstring/club account for club dues and event deposits and payments through the Financial Planning Office.
• Eligibility to fundraise through companies for major academic events as official Columbia Business School entities with permission of the Development & Alumni Relations office.
• Eligibility to apply for OSA Community Grants and other Columbia University funding opportunities.

Access to World-Class Staff, Faculty, Alum & Speakers

• Assigned an OSA club advisor.
• Eligible to have a Career Management Center advisor as deemed appropriate.
• Dedicated CBS partner contacts in other offices such as Financial Planning or Development and Alumni Relations.
• Ability to request faculty participation in club events.
• Ability to request dean's participation in signature club events.
• Permission to solicit alumni & outside company speakers with the permission of the Development and Alumni Relations office.

After a successful review and approval by Student Government and CBS administrative partners, new clubs enter their first full semester under probation. The probationary period offers an opportunity for student leaders to establish their new club, as well as work to meet initial goals and objectives stated in their application and pitch. The probationary period also connects student leaders to partners and stakeholders who are critical for new club’s success.

The following steps are required to complete by the end of a new club’s probationary semester:

• Completion of the on-boarding checklist provided by OSA which includes:
  • Student Leadership training and resource review
  • CampusGroups Portal Set-up
  • Introductory meetings with CBS administrative partners such as the Financial Planning Office, Career Management Center, Development and Alumni Relations, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Meeting with your OSA club advisor – Every new club will be required to meet with their OSA club advisor and frequency will be determined after the initial meeting. OSA advisors will be identified at the time the club is approved.
• Planning and execution of at least 2-3 club events in the probationary semester which includes:
  • One on-campus club-kick off and welcome event within the first month
  • At least one event in collaboration with another student organization
  • Attendance being taken via CampusGroups at each event
  • Clubs may plan additional events throughout the semester
• Adherence to all Club Success checkpoints

Note that during a new club’s probationary semester, they are not permitted to:

• Charge club dues
• Host a major event (i.e., conference, school wide social, etc.)

END OF PROBATIONARY SEMESTER REVIEW

At the end of a new club’s probationary semester, new clubs will have an end of probation meeting with their OSA club advisor. The advisor, in collaboration with Student Government and partner administrative offices, will determine whether the club:

• Remains on probation for another semester
• Successfully completes probation

OR

• Is not eligible to continue

Criteria to determine the above will include:

• Input from the Student Government VP of Clubs
• Input from CBS advising partners such as Financial Planning Office, Career Management Center, Development and Alumni Relations, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion