Close

The RSO Application Cycle for 2026-2027 is Open Through September 1st

APPLY HERE

Need last minute help with your application? Connect with a Student Life Advisor from 11am-12pm on 8/31.

Join the drop-in hours here.

Student Life Advisors are here to support you!

Cultural, Political, Recreation, and Religious Organizations
Kayla Wilkins, [email protected]

Academic-Major Related, Honor Societies
Dana Haxby, [email protected]
Erin Flynn, [email protected]

Leadership
Liana Marin, [email protected]  

Service and Support
Brookland Aubel, [email protected]

Fraternity, Sorority and Greek Auxiliary Organizations 
[email protected]

RSO Expo SIGNUP

Signup to table at this years RSO Expo during Weeks of Welcome

  • This year we will be offering two dates for you to choose from. 
    August 25th from 10am-2pm
    September 2nd from 10am-2pm

Additionally, we will have two locations on both days. We will be hosting the event on both Centennial and in the ARC Courtyard. Please pay attention to your confirmation email as this will contain your tabling location. 

Your organization must be in the status of Recognized or Conditionally Recognized to participate. 

 

Trainings

Hazing Prevention:

All Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) officers will be required to complete the annual Hazing Prevention 101 course in Prevent Zone. Hazing prevention is a shared responsibility at SDSU. Students, faculty, and staff all play a critical role in preventing and responding to instances of hazing. Hazing Prevention 101™ is an awareness course educating students on recognizing, preventing, and reporting hazing. The real-life scenarios prepare students, group members, and bystanders to make informed decisions, ultimately empowering them to prevent hazing.

Enroll in the Prevent Zone Course

If you are a member of a social fraternity or social sorority AND a member in non-social fraternity or sorority, you only need to complete the Fraternity & Sorority Life 2026 - 2027. That course has the Hazing Prevention 101 material embedded. 

ILAT Expansion:

In better alignment with our institutional values, starting May 1, 2026, the requirement for completing the Inclusive Leadership Awareness Training (ILAT) will expand from just Presidents and Treasurers to include five officers. We recommend nominating three officers who would benefit from increased awareness of inclusive communication to help prepare your leadership team in facilitating inclusive communities. Suggested officers for this training may include membership, recruitment, or communications officers.

To support this additional training, the ILAT team will continue to offer a flexible format. The content has been shortened and divided into two parts. Part A will be available as a Canvas module that you can complete at your own pace. After completing the module, you will be directed to a page on Canvas with links to register for Part B, which is a 1-hour Zoom session.

The five required officers must include:

  • The President (if the organization has Co-Presidents, both Co-Presidents are required to complete the training and will count toward the five required officers)
  • The Treasurer (if the organization has Co-Treasurers, both Co-Treasurers are required to complete the training and will count toward the five required officers)
  • Any remaining officers needed to total five (5), selected by the organization based on who would benefit from the training
  • All Presidents and Treasurers, including individuals serving in co-roles, are mandatory participants. Co-officers count toward the total of five required trainees.

If you have your five officers selected, and would like us to verify their credit and enroll officers as needed, you can fill out this form. You can also self-enroll using the link below. 

Please contact [email protected] for further information.

ILAT Part B dates (registration links will be shared once you complete Part A)

  • Saturday, August 15th (12pm-1pm)
  • Monday, August 17th 
  • Tuesday, August 18th (1pm-2pm)

Join the ILAT/RSO3 combined course here

RSO3:

RSO3 is fully asynchronous and is mandatory for all Presidents and Treasurers (including Co-Presidents and Treasurers). In order to receive credit you will need to fill out the exit survey at the end of the final module.

The ILAT and RSO3 are now housed in the same course! You only need to join one to access all of the asynchronous content.

Banking Training:

The AS Banking Training is required only for organizations that use ON CAMPUS BANKING. This training is required every year regardless of previous completions. This is mandatory for Treasurers but Presidents are encouraged to attend. When dates become available they can be found on the Student Organization Banking website

For questions regarding banking, visit their website or email [email protected]

Summary

ILAT and RSO3 are one time trainings. If you are unsure about your credit please contact your Student Life Advisor or email [email protected] with your RSO Name and ID number. 

Banking Training is required once per academic year for every Treasurer whose organization banks on campus. 

Hazing Prevention is required once per academic year for every officer.

Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Application


New and continuing student organizations must be recognized on an annual basis per California State University Executive Order 1068.

The RSO application for the 2026 - 2027 academic year will open on May 1st

Please note that there are two recognition seasons when the RSO Application is open, fall and spring. During the recognition seasons is when staff will be actively reviewing RSO Applications.

  • Fall 2026: May 1st -September 1st
    • Student organizations that are granted "conditional recognition" will lose their status if pending items are not completed by September 1st. 
  • Spring 2027: December 1st - February 1st

How to Complete the Annual RSO Application

Steps to become a Recognized Student Organization

  1. Complete the RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATION (RSO) APPLICATION.
  2. The RSO Application must have the names, RedIDs, and emails of at least five eligible student officers and one faculty/staff advisor.
  3. The organization's bylaws must be uploaded to the RSO Application with all California State University standards. Please see our Bylaw Checklist and Template for reference.
  4. The organization must have a membership roster uploaded to their application in order to be recognized. On the application under "Documents" select "View Documents," ​the select "Document Type" ​and upload under "Roster." Upload a Google/Excel sheet and save.​ ​
  5. The organization must complete the A.S. Banking and Finance section of the RSO Application. If the organization chooses to use on-campus banking, they must submit the Student Organization Account Application & Agreement form. Learn more about student organization banking and finance here
  6. New presidents and treasurers must complete the RSO Officer Obligations Training (RSO3) and Inclusive Leadership Awareness Training (ILAT). RSO's that use, or plan to use, a Student Organization banking account must complete a banking training. All treasurers whose organizations bank on campus must complete the banking training in order to fulfill this requirement. 
  7. Three additional officers must complete the ILAT.
  8. All officers must complete the Hazing Prevention Training.
  9. The advisor listed on the RSO Application must confirm their role and complete the Advisor Orientation.
  10. The organization will receive an email confirming their recognition once all items have been completed.

 

The RSO application can take two to four weeks to process once all requirements are complete. RSO applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

 

Benefits of Being a Recognized Student Organization

  • Use of SDSU's name, logo and symbols in conformity with campus policies.
  • Meeting on campus, reserving space with Union Programs & Services and university facilities.
  • Applying for and receiving office or desk space in The Center for Student Organizations & Activities, subject to space availability.
  • Scheduling and publicizing activities and events as approved by The Center for Student Organizations & Activities.
  • Participating in Student Life and University events.
  • Use of Presence for marketing, communication, tracking and assessment of the organization and organization related activities.
  • Gratis publicity via The Daily Aztec and Associated Students communications when available.
  • Posting of signs in reserved areas (in accordance with the Buildings and Grounds Code).
  • Maintaining an organization mailbox in the office of The Center for Student Organizations & Activities (email [email protected] for information).
  • Applying for Student Organization Donation Bin placement in The Center for Student Organizations & Activities (email [email protected] for information).
  • Applying for and receiving funding of programs from various campus departments, subject to availability requirements.
  • Belonging to and receiving funds from the A.S. College Councils, as appropriate.
  • Receiving tax-exempt charitable donations through provision administered by Associated Students.
  • Certifying campus recognition for national or statewide affiliated organizations.

For more information on the purpose of the recognition process and student organization policies and procedures, please review the  Recognized Student Organization Handbook

Contact The Center for Student Organizations & Activities at 619-594-5221 if you have any questions!

 

photo: student org group with fraternity members

photo: kappa delta sorority members

 photo of student org booth
 student org photo of Afrikan Studies group