Step 1: Review the “Establishing a Walden University Student Organization” Guidelines.

Step 2: Review the Faculty/Staff Advisor expectations & duties.

Step 3: Complete the proposal and application.

Note: The Office of Student Affairs will make every effort to provide conditional approval within 45 business days after receipt of this packet.

Interested students, staff or faculty should review the Walden University Student Organization guidelines below to determine if their group interest meets the guidelines for formal student organizations.

• Student organizations are organized and active groups that, in many cases, are affiliated with national or international organizations or are Walden-sponsored
• If Walden sponsored, the group will be considered an “Affinity Group”
• A student organization’s mission or purpose must align with the mission of Walden University and the College or School to which the student organization relates
• Student organizations must be formally organized, have a defined purpose and maintain a constitution and organization by-laws
• Student organizations must provide an annual report on the activities of the student organization
• Student organizations must secure a minimum of 2 faculty and/or staff advisors prior to submitting the required Walden University organizational form
• Student organizations and student organization members must abide by Walden University’s Code of Conduct in conducting the organization’s activities

If Walden conditionally approves a new student organization, but a national or international office approval is needed:

• Apply for and receive national/international office approval (see the applicable website for information and the process for the specific national/international organization).

• After receiving national/international office approval, these student organizations must submit a copy of the approval letter to studentorgs@mail.waldenu.edu and then the organization may begin development of the student organization structure, the required constitution and by-laws, an initial membership drive, induction ceremonies, etc. in collaboration with the faculty advisors.

The Faculty Advisor provides a sense of direction and leadership for the student organization and
promotes student and faculty/staff interaction in, and out of, the classroom.

Faculty Advisor Duties and Expectation:
1. Help the organization identify its goals and should help members and officers (if
applicable) to clarify their areas of responsibility and related duties.

2. Assure that accurate and consistent records are kept by organizational officer, that
approved methods of handling organizational finances are followed, and that updates
requested by the Office of Student Affairs are reported properly.

3. Provide information concerning the organization when it is requested by a student or
Walden administrator.

4. Be available whenever possible to assist the student leader in the planning,
implementation, and operation of any program or activity sponsored by the student
organization.

5. Resolve any problems that may occur within the organization that could not be resolved
with the leadership or the membership of the organization.

6. Be available as a mentor to organization members to assist them with individual problems
and decisions as well as with those related to the organization.

7. Act as a source of general information regarding resources.

8. Be an active member of the Walden Student Organization Community of Practice

9. Collaborate with national organizations (if applicable) to ensure the local chapter is
aligned to the mission of the national chapter.

10. Provide professional development opportunities for members of the student organization.

11. Develop initiatives in alignment with Walden’s mission on social change.

12. If the organization becomes inactive, notify the Director of Student Life, Leadership, and
Engagement as soon as possible.

*Unless otherwise noted, all advisor and advisor-elect positions are voluntary and not
compensated.