Obtaining and Maintaining Marshall Recognition

In order to become a Marshall Recognized Student Organization, your organization must first be recognized by USC Campus Activities. After USC recognition, your organization may apply for Marshall recognition in the Spring semester. 

Step 1: Gain RSO recognition from USC Campus Activities. See USC RSO Resource Guide.

Step 2: Review Maintaining Marshall Recognition below, and review the Benefits of Being an MRSO, to make sure that your organization is eligible and that your leadership is committed to fulfilling both organizational and presidential commitments required to maintain recognition.

Step 3: Attend a Marshall Recognized Student Organization Information Session. (Please note that due to limited resources caused by COVID-19, new MRSO proposals will not be accepted in Spring 2021. We apologize for the inconvenience.)

Step 4: Email application materials to Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs Office:

• Charter
• Constitution
• Pitch deck

Step 5: Schedule a pitch presentation for Marshall Council during the Spring semester.

Step 6: Receive decision notice and if accepted, email charter and constitution to Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs Office, along with a description of your MRSO and a video for the Marshall MRSO webpage.

Step 7: Maintain Marshall Recognition Status by following the guidelines set forth in the MRSO Handbook.

The benefits of being a Marshall Recognized Student Organization (MRSO) include the following:

• Membership in the Marshall Council
• Access to and support from Marshall Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs and other Marshall Undergraduate Program staff
• Access to the Marshall Recognized Student Organization President’s Room (JFF 121) on the first floor of Fertitta Hall
• New member recruitment and publicity at the Marshall New Student Welcome in the Fall and Marshall Involvement Fair in the Spring
• Posting of event flyers and announcements within the Marshall and Leventhal buildings
• Ability to request room reservations for Marshall facilities and classrooms
• Ability to promote programs and events through the weekly MRSO Events email
• Inclusion in the Marshall Webpage
• Opportunity to qualify for funding from the Marshall Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs Office

Marshall Council is a monthly gathering of MRSO Presidents to exchange information, collaborate, and ensure the success of their organizations. Marshall Council:

• Provides a space to collaborate and build inter-organization alliances
• Creates a forum to discuss concerns and advocate for positive change
• Participates in ongoing leadership development
• Recognizes organization successes
• Empowers student organizations to solve problems collaboratively
• Keeps student leaders informed of major happenings within the Marshall community
• Serves as a group of student leaders that Marshall administration looks to for consultation on the student perspective

Marshall recognition is a partnership between the recognized student organizations and the Marshall Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs staff. Thus, once recognized as an MRSO, maintaining Marshall recognition requires responsibilities and commitments beyond USC recognition on behalf of the MRSO as an organization, the MRSO president, and the MRSO advisor.

Organizational Requirements:

• Be a USC Recognized Student Organization and renew USC recognition annually
•  Have no more than one president who must remain in place and active for the entirety of the fall and spring semester of each academic year. Co-presidents and terms of less than one academic year are not permitted.
• Have a membership majority of Marshall majors and minors
• Elect a new president by no later than the last Marshall Council Meeting in the Spring (April)

Failure to meet organizational requirements will lead to immediate loss of Marshall recognition.

Organizational Commitments:

• Follow rules and regulations established by USC and by the Marshall Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs Office
• Participate in Marshall New Student Welcome (August)
• Participate in Marshall’s Spring Involvement Fair (January)
• Participate in Marshall Community Service Day with a minimum of 2 members present from your organization
• Meet with faculty/staff advisor at least once per semester or twice per academic year (minimum)

Presidential Commitments:

• MRSO Presidents must be registered undergraduate students in good standing
• Submit a strategic plan to the Marshall Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs Office prior to the start of the Fall semester
• Attend Marshall Presidents Orientation (Friday before start of Fall semester)
• Attend and actively participate in Marshall Council Meetings (monthly on Fridays from 12-1pm)
• Submit End-of-Year Report to the Marshall Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs Office (end of Spring semester)

Failure on behalf of the organization and/or president to meet two of the commitments above (one per semester) will result in a warning.
Failure to fulfill commitments on more than two occasions may result in probation and/or suspension of MRSO status.

Organizations that have been suspended may continue to operate as a USC RSO but will no longer be eligible for any
MRSO benefits. Organizations that wish to regain Marshall recognition will need to work with the Marshall
Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs Office to determine the appropriate steps.

All student organizations must complete recognition paperwork through USC Campus Activities on an annual basis in order to be considered for Marshall Recognition.

Marshall expects all MRSOs to be responsible members of the USC Community and to abide by all policies, regulations and procedures as defined in the MRSO Handbook, the USC Student Handbook (SCampus) and elsewhere including Campus Activities and USC Policies as well as all state laws, and any applicable governing regulations associated with a national affiliation. Policies that may be relevant involve:

• Hazing
• Discrimination
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Dishonesty
• Misappropriation of Organization or University funds

MRSOs are responsible for knowing, understanding, and following all University policies. Please review the following resources to ensure that you and your organization are in compliance:

Campus Activities

SCampus policies regarding USC RSOs

General USC Policies

USC Code of Ethics

The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the University of Southern California campus is governed by appropriate state and municipal laws and is further governed by University regulations. The University Policy concerning alcohol, applicable University regulations, procedure for dealing with an alcohol violation by a student organization, and a definition of possible sanctions for student organizations are discussed in the complete policy.  Alcohol will not be served or reimbursed at any Marshall undergraduate student events, undergraduate recruiting events, or during undergraduate student travel.

For more information, review SCampus.

USC and the Marshall School of Business require that every recognized student organization have a faculty or staff advisor. An active faculty/staff advisor improves the effectiveness of an organization while also assisting in the positive development of its student members.

MRSOs should choose advisors who can meet with MRSO presidents regularly (two times per academic year is required) and who can:

• Serve as mentors and facilitate student growth and development
• Provide continuity for an organization by passing along valuable information regarding the organization’s history, traditions, and past accomplishments
• Assist in goal setting and determining areas of program purpose and content
• Help brainstorm activities, events, and speakers; attend programs; and connect you with others who can support your organization
• Serve as a liaison between the University, the Marshall School, and the MRSO

Please find Advisor Check-In survey links for MRSO student leaders under Advisor Check-Ins on the MRSO Resources page. 

CAMPUS ACTIVTIES

Steve and Katheryn Sample Hall (SKS) Suite 410 ｜ T: 213.740.5693 ｜ E: usclead@usc.edu

MARSHALL UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING AND STUDENT AFFAIRS

Jill and Frank Fertitta Hall (JFF) Suite 201 ｜ T: 213.740.0690 ｜ E: ugstudentorgs@marshall.usc.edu