Student Handbook: Student Organizations

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Biola University desires to empower student leadership and initiative and thus encourages the formation of student clubs on the Biola University Campus.  Along with opportunities for growth provided by such organizations comes the responsible of faithful management of both University resources and reputation.  

All clubs have a range of freedom to be creative and to develop new programs within the guidelines of various University Policies, the University Doctrinal Statement, the Biola University Mission, the Biola Community Standards, as well as State and Federal laws and regulations.  With this in mind the following policy has been set in place to guide the formation and operation of student-run clubs on the Biola University campus.

1.    All Club Officers and Advisors must read through and be familiar with the Club Registration Packet and fill out new registration materials each year.  Registration materials include a club name, Officer and Advisor contact information, purpose statement, description of intended activities, and a proposed budget.

2.    All clubs must have an Advisor who is a current member of the faculty, staff or administration.  The Advisor must be regularly updated regarding all club meetings, activities, bylaws, fundraising efforts, membership rosters, officer contact information, financial records and other pertinent information.

3.    In order to be approved, an official club must be in support of all University Policies, the University Doctrinal Statement, the Mission of Biola University, the Biola Community Standards, as well as State and Federal laws and regulations (see elsewhere in this Handbook and the University Catalog for details).

  • In no case shall any student organization be given official recognition whose beliefs are contradictory to the University’s Doctrinal Statement or whose functions or activities are contradictory to the Biola Community Standards.

  • The Director of Leadership Development has the right to deny the recognition and formation of a club based on the University’s Mission, the Doctrinal Statement, Biola Community Standards, liability concerns, or any other related University policy.

  • No organization shall be chartered or given official recognition by the University that describes itself as “Fraternity” or “Sorority” or may be identified as such by advertising or related activities.

4.    All officers of sanctioned student clubs must receive fundraising training and comply with all fundraising policies set forth by University Development.  A Pre-proposal form must be completed and approved before the commencement of fundraising (See the Club Registration Packet for the Fundraising Policy and the Pre-proposal form).

5.    All student organizations must complete a Student Activity Log and accompanying paperwork before the commencement of any off-campus event or any on-campus event where risk related elements are present.  Determination of risk will be made by the Department of Risk Management (See the Club Registration Packet for copies of the Student Activity Log Form A and Form B, as well as section above Activities, Events, & Missions Trips.).

6.    Club Officers are required to attend a Financial Management Training session before using their club’s account.

7.    All budget deficits and outstanding bills will be the sole responsibility of the student club and not the responsibility of Biola University.  The Club President and Vice President are responsible for replenishment of any account deficit.  Club accounts may be temporarily frozen or permanently closed, if deficits are not taken care of in a timely manner.

8.    No student organization shall sponsor any events that directly or indirectly violates any University Policy or has the appearance of violating policy (including, but not limited to: raffles, games that could be construed as gambling or betting, beverages in containers that resemble alcoholic beverages, events that include social dancing or dance-related themes).

9.    To avoid interference with worship services, all student organizations are prohibited from hosting any activity during the following times: Sunday mornings through noon; Monday-Wednesday-Friday 9:30-10:20 a.m.

10.    Any concerns related to the chartering of a student club should be directed initially to the Associated Students Club Director at x5898 or via email to “AS Club Director.”

11.    Should a student organization or club be in violation of any University policy, the Dean of Students or his/her designee will assign appropriate consequences (including, but not limited to, deactivation) in consultation with the AS Advisor.

12.    For questions regarding this policy, please contact the AS Advisor at x5840.