STUDENT ORGANIZATION HANDBOOK

Student organizations are an important link to the co-curricular activities of Education City. They should contribute to the personal development and enjoyment of their members within the context of the broader education, science, and community development missions of the Qatar Foundation. Any student group wishing to take advantage of privileges granted by the Qatar Foundation must be registered by Campus Life staff. All groups which meet the Qatar Foundation requirements for student organizations will be permitted to register.

Registration is a means by which student organizations may receive standard privileges granted by the Qatar Foundation when certain minimum requirements are met. Registration does not imply either Qatar Foundation approval or disapproval of the student organization's purpose, function or activities. All of the minimum requirements must be met in order to receive Qatar Foundation privileges. Each organization must be registered annually.

Registration privileges include:

• The opportunity to apply for funding to support organizational activities
• Advising support from QF Campus Life staff
• The opportunity to attend leadership development and organizational development trainings sponsored by QF Campus Life staff

The Qatar Foundation is committed to providing support and assistance to all student organizations properly registered within Education City. The initial step in receiving this support is the completion of the annual registration process. Organization registration will begin at the beginning of the fall semester; you will be notified of the dates for registration. If you do not register by the advertised deadline, your registration will expire, resulting in the loss of privileges listed above.

Denial of initial registration

No student organization will be officially registered by the Qatar Foundation if the Campus Life staff determines that the organization's activities are detrimental to the educational mission of Education City. If registration is denied, the Campus Life Coordinator will notify the applying organization of the decision in writing and provide rationale.

Guidelines for Education City student organizations

Student organizations registered by the Qatar Foundation are to make a reasonable effort to inform the Education City community of their membership criteria and processes, including membership application deadlines. Outreach efforts to students at all branch campuses should be made. Selection criteria must be relevant to the goals and objectives of the organization.

Each student organization, its members and officers are responsible for coordinating the activities of the group. This includes planning all programs and events including but not limited to facility reservations and equipment rentals, catering requests, advertising, as well as appropriate management and accounting of all funds provided.

In the case of sport clubs or groups that engage in physical activities, the group must make sure all rules and basic safety procedures are followed. They must also obtain, maintain, and inspect all necessary equipment, make sure all required training related to equipment usage is completed, and assure that prompt medical attention is available when necessary.

Officer eligibility

Officers of student organizations must be full time Education City students, in good disciplinary standing, and maintain a minimum cumulative 2.25 GPA or the GPA required by their organization's constitution, whichever is higher. Since Campus Life staff members do not have access to students' academic records, students are expected to follow the honor system and inform their advisor and organization president if they have not met the minimum GPA requirement. Student organizations are also expected to incorporate a process into their constitution for reviewing officer eligibility at the end of each academic term. Current officers whose GPA has fallen below acceptable levels may still participate as general members but should relinquish their extra duties as officers and dedicate that time toward academic coursework. Once their GPA has returned to approved levels they may resume officer roles within the organization again.

Hazing policy

In keeping with its commitment to a positive academic and social living-learning environment, the Qatar Foundation is unconditionally opposed to any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Respect and cooperation among peers within registered student organizations is a guaranteed right that all students possess.

Hazing encompasses any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; and/or which demeans, degrades, or disgraces any person regardless of location, intent, or consent of participants. Hazing can also be defined as any action or situation that intentionally or unintentionally endangers a student for admission to or affiliation with any student organization.