What is a Student Organization?

LSSOs

A Law School Student Organization (LSSO) is an officially recognized student-run organization at the University of Chicago Law School. Membership is open to all law students and LSSOs have access to various benefits including:

  • LSA funding
  • Request use of Law School event spaces
  • Law School student org advising and event support
  • Meeting with an LSSO Advisor

LSSO Advisor: Candace Mui from the Dean of Students Office is the LSSO advisor. She assists LSSOs with LSSO event planning, support, board member trainings. LSSOs can contact Candace at mui@uchicago.edu.

LSSO Board Members and Membership

LSSOs must re-register every year and attend required trainings in the Spring and Fall quarters to maintain LSSO status. LSSOs must also have least 10 LSSO members, who are different from the 4 required executive board positions listed below. Due to the variability in size for affinity groups from year to year, affinity groups must have at least one board member. If only one board member, it must be the President.

President – The President is the primary student contact, the representative and “external spokesperson” for the LSSO and regularly interacts with other student organizations and University officials. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: preside at all meetings, oversee the process of student organization event planning, and maintain communication between board members, members, the Law School, etc.

Vice-President (Co-President) – The Vice President should maintain continuous contact with the President and must be up-to-date on all student organization communication and events. The responsibilities of the Vice President include but are not limited to: supervising student organization meetings in the absence of the President; assisting the President with the oversight of the student organization including fundraising, event planning, working with the student organization’s Treasurer to maintain budget, etc.

Treasurer – All LSSOs are required to elect or appoint a Treasurer to manage their financial matters. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: manage the organization’s budget, keep board members informed about the organization’s financial activities and status, ensure budget reflects all event expenses/revenue are in line with budget managed by Juan Vicente Nuño, Senior Program Coordinator of Student Life, and submit LSSO student reimbursements on-time. 

Events Coordinator – Oversees or assists in the process of student organization event planning. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: requesting event approvals, speaker approvals, booking space, speaker parking passes, ordering catering, marketing events, and managing the event on-site, etc.

Each position must be held by a different law student. These positions are instrumental to the efficient and effective operation of a student organization and may vary slightly from student organization to student organization; however, the duties and responsibilities associated with these positions should be represented within the Executive Board.

In order for LSSOs to remain in good standing, LSSO board members must also attend LSSO trainings in the Spring and Fall quarters. 

RSOs

A Recognized Student Organization (RSO), is a student organization that is recognized by the University’s Center for Leadership and Involvement (CLI) and separate from The Law School. This recognition makes the group an official part of the University of Chicago, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of that status. As an RSO, your membership is open to all students at the University. When your student organization is recognized by CLI, you are eligible for numerous benefits including:

  • The ability to hold events on campus
  • Access to a variety of leadership development workshops and trainings for members and leaders in your organization
  • Free or reduced cost reservations in many of the University’s facilities
  • Eligibility for Student Government funding
  • Use of Blueprint, UChicago's online involvement platform

RSO Advisors assist RSOs with RSO funding, event planning, membership management, accessing funds, and much more. They’re also happy to just have a chat about what you’re working on. Keeping in regular contact with your RSO advisor is a great way to help ensure success. LSSOs can contact an RSO adviser on the RSO staff/advisor page for any RSO related questions.

Becoming a recognized organization (RSO)

All LSSOs are welcomed and encouraged to apply for RSO status. Groups must re-register and complete mandatory annual training each year to maintain RSO status. More information on RSOs can be found on the Center for Leadership and Involvement (CLI) website.

The Committee on Recognized Student Organizations (CORSO) reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Director of CLI for final determination of RSO status. The RSO application process includes submitting the following:

  • An approval/sponsorship form listing a faculty/administration advisor
  • An Organizational Information Questionnaire
  • A short set of bylaws

An organization may be eligible to become an RSO if the following conditions are met:

  • Its activities are consistent with the goals and purposes of the University
  • It has at least four full-time student members
  • It is student-run and student-organized
  • Membership is open to all University students

Becoming a Community Service Recognized Student Organization

The University Community Service Center (UCSC) connects students to community service opportunities in Hyde Park and the larger community. RSOs also may become Community Service RSOs (CSRSOs), provided that their primary purpose is providing services to the community. Community Service RSOs have access to additional funding and resources through the University Community Service Center.  

In addition, the UCSC also funds community service activities for regular RSOs. LSSOs interested in planning a service event may discuss their plans with UCSC (ucsc@uchicago.edu).

Becoming a Sports Club

Sports clubs are recognized through the Physical Education Department’s Sports Club Office and are not eligible to become RSOs or LSSOs. The Sports Clubs program is located in the Gerald Ratner Center, Room 141.  For questions about sports clubs contact Brian Bock, Associate Athletic Director for Recreation and Fitness at bockb@uchicago.edu or 773-702-4658. Visit Athletics for more information.

Open versus Closed Events

LSSOs may hold members-only events if the members of the LSSO deem it appropriate in light of the format and purpose of the event. LSSOs with membership lists can be updated in Law Connect, or saved in the LSSO Box Folder which all e-board members have access to. 

LSSOs must ensure that the number of members-only events is small relative to the number of events held by the group overall. LSSOs may use up to 25% of their LSA funding for members-only events. LSSOs are expected to track their use of funds for members-only events to submit to LSA upon request.