We have received several questions and concerns about the new renewal process from both students and advisors. We enjoy hearing your feedback and want to provide some additional information to clarify why we have made these changes.
Every year Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) must renew their group in CougSync so that our office can verify that the group is still active on campus. In previous years, Student Involvement has given RSOs from August 1-September 26 to renew their student organization. Our numbers showed that in 2013-2014 over 90% of student groups missed that deadline and became inactive on CougSync. Largely, these groups were missing their advisor approval form, taking the basic training to become an RSO, or simply didn’t update their profiles. This poses a problem because while groups are inactive they cannot reserve rooms, access their financial account, or hold events on campus. In efforts to have student organizations renew earlier in the fall, starting August 1 we will deactivate (i.e. placed on a hold status) all organizations in CougSync.
However, the idea of being deactivated makes some groups uncomfortable, therefore we created a sort of “early bird special” renewal period from June 1- August 1 (note: RSO groups cannot complete the ’14-’15 renewal requirements until this date). If groups complete the renewal requirements at this time they will not be deactivated come August 1. It is not our expectation that most groups will do this, but we want to provide it to those groups that want it. We are happy to assist groups that seek to renew their organization at this time in any way we can.
Our goal is to make this process more intuitive for students so they come every year knowing that they must reactivate their student organization before planning any meetings or events. We also want to help our students and their RSO’s be ready for the beginning of the year where so many new people are on campus and the opportunity to recruit new members into the organizations is easier. This can only happen if our groups are timely in following the renewal process.
You may also notice that because we are deactivating all groups to begin the renewal process, the order in which you complete the renewal requirements has changed. To see the requirements and new order, please visit: https://studentinvolvement.orgsync.com/
You may also want to view some frequently asked questions about the renewal process.
We hope that this message provides a clear explanation as to why this change is happening. Our goal is to be a resource for RSO’s and advisors in a positive way. If you have any questions, please contact sild.soadvisor2@wsu.edu.
Thank you!
