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Student Organizations

Recognized student organizations are student clubs and governments that enrich the diversity and quality of life of all students through activities, services, advocacy and representation. Student organization have access to resources like booking space, tabling, funding, mentorship, and support. There are 2 types of Student Organizations:

Student Club

A Student Club is voluntary, membership-driven organization that is dedicated to a particular interest or activity.

Student Government

A Student Government is concerned with a broad array of activities, including representation of the interests of those students in discussions with the academic and administrative authorities of the University, a Faculty, or a College.


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2

9

Recognized College Student Governments

  • Bethune College Council
  • Calumet College Council
  • Founders College Student Council
  • Glendon College Student Union
  • McLaughlin College Council
  • New College Council
  • Stong College Student Government
  • Vanier College Council
  • Winters College Council

9

Recognized Faculty Student Governments

  • Creative Arts Students Association
  • Environmental and Urban Change Students’ Association
  • Faculty of Education Students' Association
  • Faculty of Health Student Caucus
  • Graduate Business Council
  • Lassonde Student Government
  • Legal and Literary Society of Osgoode Hall Law School
  • Student Council of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
  • Undergraduate Business Society

300+

Visit YU Connect to explore all existing Recognized Student Clubs.

Request space for an event

Book a tabling space

Book a prayer space

Request an office space

All recognized student organizations can be found on YU Connect. To find or join a club, follow these steps

  1. Log into YU Connect using your Passport York
  2. Create an account
  3. Click on the Organizations tab at the top of the page and select the group you wish to join.
  4. Click the Join Organization on the right side of that organization’s home page.  The request will then be sent to the organization for approval. You will receive a message in your YU Connect inbox on whether your request has been accepted or denied.

Note: Some organizations are limited in their membership and you will not be able to join (i.e. residences).

Navigating YU Connect

There are several ways to navigate the YU Connect system in order to find organizations that match your interests and needs.

The easiest way is to manage your interests. Interests are tags that are used by both organizations and individuals. When a student and an organization tag the same interest, the student will be recommended that organization in the sidebar of their homepage. Interests can be changed and ranked at any time in order to match your changing tastes and moods and is by far the easiest way to get news and suggestions about events or organizations on campus that you might like to be a part of.

You can go to the Organizations tab at the top of the page and you will find a few different ways to find organizations. You can perform a keyword search, search alphabetically by name or go to the categories tab and search by the type of organization. If you’re having trouble finding something you are interested in, sometimes using these tools can be a helpful way to find the right spot for you.

You can also check the bulletin board on your home page. The bulletin board has an up-to-date stream of events happening on campus and is updated in real time. By checking out the different events on campus and looking at the host organization you might find an organization you never considered before.

Note: Some organizations are limited in their membership and you will not be able to join (i.e. residences).

Need additional support?

You can also contact us at yuengage@yorku.ca

If you have a passion or idea that is not represented in any of the existing student organizations, you are welcome to create a new one. To apply to start a new organization, follow these steps:

  1. Review the Regulation Regarding Student Organizations to ensure your new club meets the requirements.
  2. Log into YU Connect using your Passport York
  3. Create an account (if applicable)
  4. Select Organization on the menu bar.
  5. Click Register a New Organization on the left side of the screen.
  6. Complete the steps in the application process and review your submission.
  7. Click Submit.

Note: This option is open from _______

Need additional support?

You can also contact us at yuengage@yorku.ca

If you are renewing your organization, a link will appear below it.  Click on the button and complete the application process.

What is a Primary Contact?

A Primary Contact is the representative of the organization who takes overall responsibility for its operations (i.e. President/Chair).  This individual will register the organization, assign executive positions, and provide various levels of access to the YU Connect page for the members.  They are the only ones permitted to complete the Club registration process.

Why is there already information about my organization on YU Connect?

To make the transition easier for student organizations, we have pre-populated YU Connect to have the following information already entered for clubs:

  • Organization Objective(s)
  • Current Constitution
  • Executive Position List
  • External Website Link (if available)
Need additional support?

You can also contact us at yuengage@yorku.ca

Resources

Regulation Regarding Student Organizations

The regulation regarding student organizations sets forth the privileges and obligations of student organizations to ensure that their activities and their financing are conducted in an open, accessible, democratic, non-discriminatory, legally and financially responsible manner.

Learn more about the Regulation

Club Policies & Guidelines

At such a large institution we need a number of policies and procedures to keep everything running smoothly. Here you will find a list of policies and guidelines that are most relevant to student organizations.

View club policies & guidelines

Looking to develop skills & strategies to strengthen your organization?

Let us help you foster the success of your organization. Check out our click-through presentations on Mission, Vision & Goal Setting, Team Building, Conflict Resolution, Social Media and Transitioning.

Develop skills & strategies now

Looking to access funding for your organization? Below are helpful funding resources that may apply to your organization!

SEED Funding

As a recognized student organization, you are able to apply for SEED Funding.

SEED Funding is awarded for events/initiatives that benefit the student community at York University and enrich student life. This funding is for Keele organizations only. The fund allocates up to $300 per term based on an application. To find out more and apply for funding, you will need to be logged into YU Connect and go to this form.

Glendon clubs may apply for additional funding through the Office of Student Services at Glendon or by emailing the Glendon College Students Union.

YFS Funding

York Federation of Students (YFS) is York University's central students' union. To access YFS funding, an organization must ratified with YFS. YFS ratified clubs are eligible to apply for up to $200 in Base Funding, up to $800 in Event Funding and up to $800 in Relief Funding.

For more information, visit York Federation of Students.

SCLD Club Awards

In our efforts to recognize student leaders who continue to contribute to the York community SCLD is conducting our first annual Club Awards! If you know a club that is deserving of one of the awards listed below make sure to fill out an application!

New Club Award

  • To be considered for this award it must be your first or second year as a registered student club with SCLD.
  • This will be awarded to a club that is able to show how they have positively impacted the York community with their events/initiatives throughout the year.

Philanthropy Award

  • To be considered for this award it must be registered student club with SCLD.
  • This will be awarded to a club that is able to show how they have positively impacted the York and greater community with compassion, generosity and charity.

Innovation Award

  • This will be awarded to clubs that facilitated an event that was innovative and creative for the York University community.
  • Clubs that have demonstrated initiatives that offer different experiences to the community
  • Examples include: Car Smashes, Human Libraries, Barbershops, etc.

Clubs that qualify may submit an application for more than one award.

Successful applicants will be awarded $300, a certificate from SCLD, promotion on the Keele campus televisions, and a photoshoot conducted by SCLD!

College Council Funding

If your student organization is affiliated with a York college, additional funding may be available. For more information, please contact the college your student organization is affiliated with.

Alumni Engagement Funding

Alumni Engagement Funding may be available if eligible. For more information, visit the Office of Alumni Engagement.

Membership Fees

Student clubs & organizations may charge a membership fee for incoming members.

Looking to access funding for your organization? Below are helpful funding resources that may apply to your organization!

SEED Funding

As a recognized student organization, you are able to apply for SEED Funding.

SEED Funding is awarded for events/initiatives that benefit the student community at York University and enrich student life. This funding is for Keele organizations only. The fund allocates up to $300 per term based on an application. To find out more and apply for funding, you will need to be logged into YU Connect and go to this form.

Glendon clubs may apply for additional funding through the Office of Student Services at Glendon or by emailing the Glendon College Students Union.

YFS Funding

York Federation of Students (YFS) is York University's central students' union. To access YFS funding, an organization must ratified with YFS. YFS ratified clubs are eligible to apply for up to $200 in Base Funding, up to $800 in Event Funding and up to $800 in Relief Funding.

For more information, visit York Federation of Students.

SCLD Club Awards

In our efforts to recognize student leaders who continue to contribute to the York community SCLD is conducting our first annual Club Awards! If you know a club that is deserving of one of the awards listed below make sure to fill out an application!

New Club Award

  • To be considered for this award it must be your first or second year as a registered student club with SCLD.
  • This will be awarded to a club that is able to show how they have positively impacted the York community with their events/initiatives throughout the year.

Philanthropy Award

  • To be considered for this award it must be registered student club with SCLD.
  • This will be awarded to a club that is able to show how they have positively impacted the York and greater community with compassion, generosity and charity.

Innovation Award

  • This will be awarded to clubs that facilitated an event that was innovative and creative for the York University community.
  • Clubs that have demonstrated initiatives that offer different experiences to the community
  • Examples include: Car Smashes, Human Libraries, Barbershops, etc.

Clubs that qualify may submit an application for more than one award.

Successful applicants will be awarded $300, a certificate from SCLD, promotion on the Keele campus televisions, and a photoshoot conducted by SCLD!

College Council Funding

If your student organization is affiliated with a York college, additional funding may be available. For more information, please contact the college your student organization is affiliated with.

Alumni Engagement Funding

Alumni Engagement Funding may be available if eligible. For more information, visit the Office of Alumni Engagement.

Membership Fees

Student clubs & organizations may charge a membership fee for incoming members.

Additional Resources

Other funding resources include Club Council Funding and Sponsorships. Connect with the Student Engagement team at yuengage@yorku.ca for more information.

YU Connect

YU Connect is York University’s online hub for all co-curricular activity! Your organization can utilize YU Connect's Events page to post any upcoming events to students, as well as publish News Articles for organization announcements, event reminders, post-event reports and much more.

Learn more about YU Connect here

Social Media

Social media has a huge presence in our lives. As a student organization, this is a very useful tool to maximize your reach to the community. The resources below can help you ensure your organization is reaching the community efficiently as possible:

Clubs 105 - Utilizing Social Media Presentation

Explore how to create social media content, navigate online interaction, monitor analytics and leverage your online presence with our online, click-through presentation. The presentation is non-sequential, and available online at any time.

Learn more here

Clubs Showcase

Let us help you promote your student organization! Clubs Showcase is a bi-weekly virtual event to showcase your club & connect with other clubs and students, including promotion on @StudentLifeYU social media channels.  

The Student Engagement team will collaborate with your organization and host a 1-hour virtual event with you. This will give your student organization the opportunity to promote your club and host a fun, engaging activity. Your student organization will be spotlighted on @StudentLifeYU Instagram, Facebook and Twitter social media channels and will help your organization reach a larger audience! To learn more about how to apply and upcoming event dates, please contact the Student Engagement team at yuengage@yorku.ca.  

Email Listservs

Email listservs are tremendously helpful when mass communicating to all of your organization members. It is recommended to create an email listserv readily available for your organization to provide updates to your members as needed.

Virtual Clubs Fair

COMING SOON: Virtual Clubs Fair Day

Tabling

Tabling is a great way to showcase your student organization to the broader York community of students, staff and faculty. Tabling occurs in assigned spots on the Keele campus, such as Vari Hall, Vari Hall Link in the Ross Building and Central Square. For more information, contact the Student Engagement team at yuengage@yorku.ca. Applications can be found on the SCLD YU Connect page under the ‘Forms’ section. *Not available during COVID-19