Starting a New Student Organization

Thank you for your interest in starting a new student organization at Winthrop University. This webpage contains the directions on how to start your new organization, as well as all of the forms that will need to be completed.

Step 1 - Submit an Intent to Charter Form

To start the chartering process, every organization must submit an online Intent to Charter a Student Organization (2026-2027) form on Eagle Engage. This form alerts the Department of Student Engagement that you intend to organize a new student group on campus. The form asks for the primary contact of the new organization as well as the main purpose of the group. Once you submit your Intent to Charter form, a representative from the Department of Student Engagement will contact you to schedule a New Student Organization Training meeting.

Intent to charter forms will only be accepted from September 2026 - March 2027.

Step 2 - Attend a New Organization Training

Once you have submitted the Intent to Charter form, a representative from the Department of Student Engagement will contact you and invite you to a New Organization Training. This meeting will go over the new organization chartering process and all the required information that is needed to become officially recognized as a Winthrop student organization. You will also participate in a traditional student organization training to learn all the information about being a registered student organization on campus. This meeting may be done for individual groups or with multiple new organizations that may be interested in being chartered.

Step 3 - Complete the New Organization Charter Packet

You will receive the New Organization Charter Packet at the end of the New Organization Training. This packet includes all of the major components of a student organization that need to be submitted to the Department of Student Engagement. This packet includes the following information:

Constitution and Bylaws
List of 10 students who would be active in your organization
A completed Student Organization Advisor Agreement Form from a faculty/staff member who will serve as the organization advisor

The Department of Student Engagement will review your packet for completeness and alignment with university policies. The Department of Student Engagement will provide feedback or request edits, if necessary, before moving forward in the process.

Step 4 - Presentation to the Student Government Association

After you have completed all of the steps above, each student organization seeking to be a recognized student organization must prepare and deliver a presentation before the Student Government Association (SGA). The organization will receive an invitation from SGA, sga@winthrop.edu, to present your organization for approval. Detailed presentation guidelines will be shared with all organizations in advance.

Step 5 - Approval Notification & Activation

Each organization must successfully complete all steps of the registration and recognition process, including submitting all required forms, attending mandatory trainings, and uploading necessary documentation. Once your organization has met all requirements, you will receive an official approval notification via email. Recognized student organizations will have access to continued support, leadership development resources, and training opportunities throughout the academic year.

Becoming a recognized student organization at Winthrop University includes access to the following:

Ability to reserve spaces on campus
Apply for funding through Student Allocations
Have an official Student Organization Email Account
Participation in Student Organization Involvement Fairs and other university events
Online presence on Eagle Engage
Access to storage locker (limited number of lockers)
On campus mailing
Right to advertise as a Winthrop Student Organization

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Department of Student Engagement at 803/323-2248 or studentorgs@winthrop.edu.