All duly registered organizations of Texas Southern University are guaranteed the following basic Rights & Privileges

Rights & Privileges

1. Using the name of Texas Southern University in conjunction with its name in all information, publicity, and references.
2. Use of university rooms, buildings, facilities, and equipment (subject to proper scheduling procedures, and prior needs of the university) for meetings at no charge (Banquets not included).
3. To publish and be recognized in student media.
4. Inviting off-campus speakers and artists to appear for scheduled meetings and assemblies.
5. Distributing literature relating to the organization's purpose and activities in those areas authorized by university distribution policies.
6. Promoting profit-making activities and soliciting funds for organizational activities in accordance with University regulations.
7. Use of the cafeteria at no rental charge for fund raising activities. (Police, maintenance, and any other special service fees will be assessed.)
8. Free mailbox located in the Ernest S. Sterling Student Life Center.

Being associated with Texas Southern University carries the responsibility of exhibiting exemplary standards of behavior that not only maintain, but build upon the integrity of the university name.

Responsibilities

1. The responsibility to manage itself and carry out its activities within the parameters of its constitution, as well as all local, state and federal laws, and all applicable university regulations and policies.
2. The responsibility to conduct its business and fiscal operations within normal standards of sound management and practice--Especially in the area of discharging all financial obligations.
3. The responsibility to be cognizant of the special role it enjoys as an integral part of the academic community of Texas Southern University, and to act accordingly in the best interest of its members and University.
4. To assure that persons not enrolled or employed at the University hold no office nor direct any organizational activities.
5. To engage in only those activities which are consistent with the objectives, goals, of the organization and overall mission of the University.

ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
All student organizations are required to have two advisors. Advisors are current members of TSU's faculty or staff who agree to mentor student organizations on their purpose and operation throughout the school year. They serve as a liaison between the university and organization interpreting university policy and procedures. They are also an integral part of ensuring the organization's success and longevity on TSU's campus.

The Advisor's major responsibilities are as follows:

1. To assist the organization in finding optimal ways of implementing its programs.
2. To serve as a role model and mentor to the organization and its individual members.
3. To keep the organization abreast of university policy.
4. To periodically meet with the organization to stay informed of its activities.
5. To stay for the duration of all functions sponsored by the organization.
6. To represent the organization when required by the University or overall best interest.
7. To sign off on all paperwork and transactions concerning the organization.

Qualities of a good Advisor

• She/he adheres to the responsibilities above
• She/he encourages members to implement their ideas
• She/he strongly encourages academic achievement
• She/he does not take the role too seriously
• She/he leads without being charge
• She/he holds himself/herself as well as members accountable for the organization's successes and failures.

Resources Available to the Advisor
Student Code of Conduct: This publication issued by the Office of the Dean of Students is a detailed guide on policies and procedures governing student behavior.

Office of Student Activities: The Director and Assistant Directors of Student Activities as well as the Program Advisor located in the Student Life Center are available for consultation on organizational matters.

MEMBERSHIP INTAKE PROCEDURES
To ensure the safety and well-being of students applying for membership in organizations with any form of intake, Texas Southern University has a set of standards that organizations and prospective members must comply with in order to be recognized by the university.

Texas Southern University has a Spring only membership intake policy. This means that all organizations who wish to admit new members must only do so during the period specified by the university during the spring semester. Requests for intake during other semesters must be put in writing to the Coordinator of Campus Organizations and be approved by the Department of Student Activities.

The following are the procedures that must be followed by all organizations for New Membership Intake:

• All documentation concerning intake must be handled by the advisor
• Attend the Annual Informational Seminar on Membership Intake
• Complete the intake grade/disciplinary status forms for all potential candidates
• Have candidates sign the Non-Hazing Document included in the Handbook
• Final roster of candidates that have met the university and organization's requirements
• Have candidates meet with the Director of Student Activities & Program Advisor prior to the intake period.
• Comply with the schedule of intake activities stipulated by the university

These Procedures must be followed as outlined or your organization may not be allowed to participate in membership for the Spring Semester and will have to wait until the spring semester of the following year.

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS OF INTAKE FOR CANDIDATES
To encourage the academic pursuits of its students interested or currently in student organizations, Texas Southern requires that all current members be in good academic standing as defined by the university and adhere to the following guidelines for accepting candidates for the intake process:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-PAN-HELLENIC ORGANIZATIONS (i.e., organizations not affiliated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council)

• Must be currently enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours at Texas Southern University
• Attend the Annual Informational Seminar on Membership Intake
• Must have a 2.25 GPA (or better) overall and for the semester prior to intake
  Example: A student who has a cumulative/overall GPA of 2.25 or better for the Spring 2002 semester must also have a 2.25 or for the Fall 2002 semester to be approved for intake in the Spring 2003 semester.
• Must have completed 12 hours at Texas Southern University
• Must be free of disciplinary problems and not subject to investigation

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONS

• Must be currently enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours at Texas Southern University
• Attend the Annual Informational Seminar on Membership Intake
• Must have a 2.5 (or better) GPA overall and for the semester prior to intake
  Example: A student who has a cumulative/overall GPA of 2.5 or better for the Spring 2002 semester must also have a 2.5 or for the Fall 2002 semester to be approved for intake in the Spring 2003 semester.
• Must have completed 24 hours (The last 12 from Texas Southern University)
• Must be free of disciplinary problems and not subject to investigation

UNIVERSITY POLICY ON HAZING
Any violation of the following regulations will subject a student to the sanction of immediate suspension or expulsion:

Hazing--Any initiation act that produces or is likely to produce mental or physical anguish or harm, or which demeans, disgraces, or degrades a student. The person involved, and the organization they represent, will be sanctioned for this violation.

The Code of Conduct and State Policy list the improper or unacceptable conduct which the University prohibits as to hazing and is enumerated as follows:

1. Pre-initiation and/or underground activities are in violation of University policies. Underground is anything that is contrary to approved activities.
2. HAZING and abuse are expressly prohibited. These include, but are not limited to:
   1. PHYSICAL HAZING
      Several examples are: paddling, beating, slapping, kicking, pushing, blindfolding, sleep deprivation, exercising of any kind, duck-walking, tearing clothes, use of drugs, forcing the use of alcohol, drugs, or the eating of so-called "Foods."
   2. EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZING
      Several examples are: any morally degrading, illegal or indecent activity, or any type of activity that may be in violation of legal statues or policies of the colleges or universities, cursing, yelling, humiliating, belittling.
   3. OTHER HAZING
      Several examples: walking in line and dressing alike.
3. Unapproved work and/or other activities. Any road trip that would make it necessary for an applicant or candidate to travel extreme distances or under hazardous conditions or any activity that would endanger an applicant or candidate.
4. Requiring any association with other organizations that would be demeaning and indecent.
5. Having contact with applicants as it relates to Membership Intake before they are invited to membership.
6. Running errands, buying food, gifts, or personal items, etc., for chapter members or other organization member.

STATE POLICY PROHIBITION HAZING
Hazing on the part of students, faculty, or staff is strictly forbidden, whether on-or off-campus. The state law providing penal sanction in the event of a conviction of hazing, is section 4.19, Texas Education code, and provides in part, as it pertains to students, as follows:

1. No student of the University of Texas, or Texas A&M University, or any other state-supported institution of higher education, shall engage in what is commonly known as recognized as hazing or encourage, aid, or assist any other person thus offering.
2. "Hazing" is defined as follows:
   1. Any willful act by one student alone or acting with others, directed against any other student of such educational institution, done on the purpose of submitting the student made the subject of the attack committed, to indignity or humiliation, without his consent
   2. Any willful act of any one student along, or acting with others, directed against any other student of such educational institution, done for the purpose of threatening such student with social or other ostracism, or of submitting such student of ignominy, shame or disgrace among his fellow students, and acts calculated to produce such results;
   3. Any willful act of any one student alone, or acting with other, directed against any other student of such educational institution, done for the purpose of humbling, or that is reasonably calculated to humble the pride, stifle the ambition, or blight the courage of the student attacked, or to discourage any such educational institution or
   4. reasonably to cause him to leave the institution rather than submit to such acts; or
   5. Any willful act by any one student alone, or acting with others, in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming; or seriously offering, threatening, or attempting to strike, beat, bruise, or maim, or to do any student of such educational institution or any assault upon any such student made for the purpose of committing any of the acts, or producing any of the result, to such student as defined in this section.
3. No teacher, instructor, members of any faculty, or any officer or director, or a member of any governing board of any state-supported educational institution shall knowingly permit, encourage, aid, or assist any student in committing the offense of hazing, or willing acquiesce in the commission of such offense, or fail to report promptly his knowledge or any reasonable information within his knowledge of the presence and practice of hazing in the institution in which he may be serving to the executive head or governing board of such institution. Any act of omission or commission shall be deemed "hazing" under the provisions of this section.
4. Any student of any state-sponsored educational institution of this state who shall commit the offense of hazing shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $250 or shall be confined in jail not less than 10 days nor more than three months, or both.