Student organization classification updates will occur on October 16, 2023. Chief Student Leaders, Treasurers, and Advisors of the Sponsored, Partnered, and Associated classification quadrants must complete new training requirements prior to this date to avoid the organization being placed in “Restricted” status.

Recognized Student Organization Classification

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In 2001, Texas A&M implemented a tiered model of student organization recognition with three levels known as the Sponsored, Affiliated, and Registered categories. This model was developed at a time when the campus had around 670 recognized student organizations and placed student organizations within their tiers based upon a combination of perceived mission, advising, space use, funding, risk, and responsibilities.

Since that time the size and complexity of our student organization community has continued to grow, with the university currently supporting more than 1300 recognized student organizations. In order to better support the unique characteristics and relationships that exist within this broad community, the Department of Student Activities has developed a new quadrant model of student organization classification that will be implemented in Fall 2023.

The Quadrant Model

The new model is based on an evaluation of each student organization’s unique characteristics on two scales of organization risk and university affiliation, which when combined will identify the organization’s placement in one of four classification quadrants (Registered, Associated, Partnered, Sponsored) as represented in the following chart.

The initial placement of student organizations within these quadrants has been based upon a student organization survey submitted by the chief student leaders of each organization in a previous year, combined with organization characteristics such as established university affiliations and past activities and events. Following initial implementation, organizations’ quadrant placement will be determined by updated organization profiles, activities, and responses submitted each year as part of their recognition renewal process. Many of the expectations and benefits of official organization recognition within the quadrant model will remain consistent with prior expectations and benefits within the former tiered model, however some changes will be implemented.

New Training Requirements

The first and most imminent change will be additional training requirements for those organizations within the Associated, Partnered, and Sponsored quadrants. In order to provide enhanced education and support for those groups who are identified as either high risk or high affiliation, Student Activities staff have developed two new student organization training modules.

The Advanced Risk Management module will be required for high-risk organizations within the Associated and Sponsored quadrants.
The Student Organization Marketing and Communications module will be required for high affiliation organizations within the Partnered and Sponsored quadrants.

These trainings requirements will replace one (or two) elective training requirements under the current model, meaning most groups will not see an increase in their training expectations moving forward. However, in this first year of implementation student organization leaders and advisors within these three quadrants, even those that have completed their training requirements under the current tiered model, will need to complete these new training modules. NOTE: These new training modules will show as Elective Credits in StuAct Online until the quadrant system is implemented, after which they will appear as Core Modules for applicable organizations.

Quadrant Implementation

At this time Student Activities is planning to implement the quadrant system and the new training requirements on Monday, October 9^th. Student organization leaders and advisors must meet all training requirements within the StuAct Online system to maintain recognition, so in order for an organization to avoid entering a Restricted status at the time of quadrant implementation, the Chief Student Leader, Treasurer, and Advisor/s of organizations within the Sponsored, Partnered, and Associated quadrants will need to complete the new training module/s in StuAct Online prior to October 9^th. In preparation for this requirement, these new modules have already been published online within the StuAct Online Training Center.

The SOLAD office will be sending communication directly to the officers and advisors of all organizations identifying their projected quadrant placement and requisite training requirement, so organization leaders should be watching for special messaging during the second half of September. As a reminder, individuals need to be sure to login to StuAct Online when accessing any required training modules in order to ensure the training credit is tied to the user’s profile.

Additional Information

As previously mentioned, the Quadrant model is designed to better identify and support the unique characteristics and relationships that exist within each organization in the Texas A&M community, so while there may be additional expectations that come with this new model, there are also plans to provide enhancements to the support and resources available to our organizations based upon their quadrant designation. More updates will be provided prior to any changes, and we will consistently strive to keep student organization leaders informed and prepared to lead their organizations well.

Student leaders or advisors with questions are encouraged to reach out to the SOLAD office by phone (979-458-4371) or email (solad@stuact.tamu.edu), or by stopping by the office in Koldus 224.

Quadrant Classification & Training FAQs:

What are Quadrants, and what does this mean for my organization?

The Quadrant Model is a new student organization classification structure that has replaced the former three-tiered structure of Registered, Affiliated, and Sponsored organizations. The new model is based on an evaluation of each student organization’s unique characteristics on two scales of organization risk and university affiliation, which when combined will identify the organization’s placement in one of four classification quadrants (Registered, Associated, Partnered, Sponsored). For more information about the Quadrant Model, check out our overview page here.

What does it mean for me as a CSL or Treasurer moving into the new quadrant system?

At this time, based on your quadrant placement, you may need to complete additional training requirements. More updates to expectations and benefits for student organizations may come over time based on the new system, but communication will be sent prior to any changes to ensure student organization leaders are prepared and informed.

What does it mean for me as an Advisor moving into the new quadrant system?

At this time, based on your quadrant placement, you may need to complete additional training requirements. There may also be new advisor eligibility standards for your organization if they have moved from the old “Registered” tier into the Associated, Partnered, or Sponsored quadrants. (For more information on this change, see Question 20 below.) More updates to expectations and benefits for student organizations may come over time based on the new system, but communication will be sent prior to any changes to ensure student organization advisors are prepared and informed.

What are the new training requirements?

Training requirements are defined by the designated quadrant classification of each organization and must be completed by the Chief Student Leader, Treasurer, and all Advisors. *Note: Organizations that are moving from the old “Registered” tier into the Associated, Partnered, or Sponsored quadrants, their new training requirements will include not only one or both of the Special training modules (Advanced Risk Management or Student Organization Marketing and Communications), but also one or two additional Elective modules.
- Registered organization leaders must complete two core Essentials trainings
- Associated organization leaders must complete two core Essentials trainings, one enhanced risk management training, and one elective training
- Partnered organization leaders must complete two core Essentials trainings, one enhanced marketing and communications training, and one elective training
- Sponsored organization leaders must complete two core Essentials trainings, one enhanced risk management training, one enhanced marketing and communications training, and two elective trainings

Where can I find the new training modules?

You can find all student organization training modules in the StuAct Online Training Center. Based on your new quadrant placement, you may have to take the Advanced Risk Management module and/or the Student Organization Marketing and Communications module, as well as one or two additional elective training modules. Please log into the Training Center to see which trainings are required for you and to ensure credit is given for any modules you complete.

Who needs to take these trainings?

The Chief Student Leader, Treasurer, and all advisors on your current roster are required to complete trainings.

The training is not popping up for me, who do I contact?

Please contact Student Organization Leadership & Development (SOLAD) by email at solad@stuact.tamu.edu or call us at 979-458-4371.

One of my officers or advisors has completed the training requirements for our organization, so why are they still marked as “Untrained”?

In cases where an individual serves a role in multiple organizations (e.g. Primary Advisor for Org 1, Secondary Advisor for Org 2) StuAct Online evaluates that individual’s training compliance based upon the highest level of required training. This means that if a student leader or advisor that serves in a Sponsored organization (which requires six total trainings) and a Registered organization (which only requires two trainings) has not completed their Sponsored training requirement, then StuAct Online marks them as “Untrained” and both of their organizations will be impacted. In light of this, we would encourage the leadership team of each organization to communicate with each other to ensure that everyone is completing their required training for all organizations in which they serve. If this situation is negatively impacting an upcoming organization program or financial obligation, or if this is happening to you but none of your officers or advisors serve in another organization, please reach out to the SOLAD office for assistance.

Why were we put in “Restricted” status on October 16th?

As outlined in communication emails sent to all student organization leaders and advisors on September 21st and October 9th, the Quadrant assignments were implemented in StuAct Online over the course of the day on October 16th. As a result, any organizations with student leaders or advisors who had not completed their training requirements were marked as “Restricted”. However, as soon as those training requirements have been met (along with any other Recognition Checklist items that are currently out of compliance), the organization will regain full “Recognized” status.

How does a “Restricted” status affect my organization?

An organization that has been placed in a “Restricted” status temporarily loses access to complete any financial transactions through the SOFC, the ability to reserve rooms on campus, and eligibility for some additional privileges such as MSC Open House registration. The StuAct Online system gives organizations 60 days to correct any requirements that are out of compliance, after which time the organization will become “Unrecognized”. However, as soon as the organization meets all training and recognition requirements on your organization’s Recognition Checklist within that 60 day period, the organization will automatically regain fully “Recognized” status and access to all student organization resources and privileges.

If we are in a renewing recognition period, will this affect our recognition period and/or cycle?

No, if your organization is currently in your recognition renewal period, you should still continue on as normal in updating and completing your annual Recognition Checklist requirements. If your organization was moved out of the renewal process preemptively, please contact the SOLAD office for support.

How were we placed in our quadrant?

The initial quadrant assignments for most of our 1300+ RSOs are based on survey data completed by student leaders of each organization in 2019. That survey collected information from the chief student leader about the activities, operations, and characteristics of the organization. Those responses were scored, and those scores designated the group as either high or low risk and high or low affiliation, which then placed them into the appropriate quadrant. So the quadrant assignments for most groups are based upon that survey data from your own student leaders. (For some organizations that either didn’t fill out the survey or were recognized after that time, staff conducted manual reviews and assessments of organizations based upon known factors for each group to identify their risk and affiliation level.)

What do you determine as “High Risk”?

While all activities involve risk, in the context of student organization classification quadrants, the risk evaluation scale refers to potential physical, reputational, emotional, financial, and/or facility harm due to activities of an organization that may negatively impact the organization’s members, other students, campus community members, and/or stakeholders. The activities and operations of these organizations are often larger in scope and exhibit higher levels of risk and complexity within many of their events and programs.

What do you determine as “High Affiliation”?

While all organizations inherently have internal and external affiliations, in the context of student organization classification quadrants, the affiliation scale refers to organization connections and engagement with the University through resources, expertise, staffing, responsibilities, agreements, or other types of assistance provided to the organization to help it achieve its goals. The relationship of these organizations to the university is typically defined by an officially established partnership or sponsorship with a university department, academic area, or program.

What if we feel we were placed in the wrong quadrant?

We are not making any adjustments to initial quadrant placements at this time (you can imagine that would be challenging with as many RSOs as we have), so your current quadrant will be your quadrant assignment for this recognition cycle. Moving forward, however, the system will be built to collect updated responses from new student leaders each year during their recognition renewal process, and these responses will be reviewed by the organization advisor for accuracy. Each new year’s responses will be factored into the organization’s quadrant assignment, so that could adjust as the group continues to grow or change over time.

I don’t remember taking a survey, how do I know if we took it?

The initial survey was completed by student leaders of 1080 (out of approximately 1150) of our existing student organizations in 2019, so it is likely that current student leaders did not take this assessment, but the vast majority of organizations did complete the survey. For any organizations that either didn’t fill out the survey or have become recognized since that time, our SOLAD staff conducted manual reviews and assessments of organizations based upon known factors for each group to identify their risk and affiliation level.

Why is one of my organizations in one quadrant and another one is in a different quadrant?

Organization quadrant assignments are unique to each organization, and are primarily based upon the characteristics of the group as described by its own leaders. This means that there may be organizations that look or seem to be similar that have different quadrant assignments, but that is how the system is designed to work. The Quadrant Model is intended to classify each organization based upon its own unique activities, operations, and relationships rather than being tagged based upon the collective characteristics of other organizations that look like it.

Does this affect the way we can operate as an organization?

No, you can still operate however you see fit within the guidelines of the Student Rules, the Student Organization Manual, and federal, state, and local laws.

Can we still recruit new members during this change?

Yes! This change does not affect your ability to recruit new members.

If we are affiliated with a national organization, academic unit, or university department, do we need to notify them of this change?

You can certainly let them know of any changes to the requirements of your organization that may impact your work with an outside entity, but this change does not affect your ability to establish or maintain a connection, affiliation, or relationship with a national organization, academic unit, or university department.

Does this affect advisors in any way?

As mentioned above, all advisors are required to complete training requirements, so advisors will need to complete any new training requirements for their organizations. Other than that, most advisors will not be impacted by this change. However, there may be some impact for organizations that are moving from the old “Registered” tier to one of the new Associated, Partnered, or Sponsored quadrants. As noted in the Student Organization Manual, advisor eligibility requirements stipulate that the Primary Advisor for any organizations in these quadrants must be a full-time TAMU employee. So there may be a few cases where an organization with an advisor who is a part-time employee will need to identify a new Primary Advisor who is a full-time employee. The part-time employee can certainly still remain an advisor for the organization, but will simply need to be moved into the Secondary Advisor role. If this is the case for your organization, please know that there will be a grace period for organizations needing to identify new Primary Advisors that will extend through the end of the Fall 2023 semester. Please reach out to the SOLAD office with any questions related to this transition, and in the meantime go ahead and start working to find a new Primary Advisor to support your organization moving forward.