Campus CrossWalk Magazine: 2005 Fall Issue -- To Register or Not to Register? (student organizations)

Cats for Christ at Kansas State University is registered as a student organization just as many other campus ministries are at the universities they serve. Here are a few reasons to register followed by a few other considerations. Reasons to Register:: 1. Access. As a registered student organization (RSO), we have access to reserve rooms on campus, reduced prices on university services, and advertising opportunities not available otherwise, such as posting flyers in dormitories. We are also invited to participate in annual events where all RSO’s set up displays to meet new students.

2. Recognition. As an RSO, we are a known commodity to the university. This has proved helpful in hosting events on campus. At KSU we have a good relationship with the administration, which helps us further our mission. For example, we were the first group allowed to host an overnight event in the Ahearn Field House – and university officials spoke on our behalf at the meeting where we were given permission. University officials also spoke on our behalf before the Manhattan Planning Commission during the process of having property zoned to allow us to operate as a campus center.

3. Official Status. As an official campus minister at KSU, I am on the emergency response plan. When tragedy strikes at KSU, they call the counseling center, the residence life staff, the Office of Student Life, and the Campus Ministers’ Association. This gives me an opportunity to serve my campus in need.

4. University ID’s. As an employee of an RSO, KSU and many other schools will provide you with a guest ID which allows you more access to student areas (including athletic tickets and access to university internet services). At KSU, campus ministers are considered “guest faculty” as part of their “community builders” program. When I was an intern at the University of Memphis, we had “chaplain” ID’s.

5. Other ministry groups. Knowing other campus ministers has been a benefit for me. Because I’m a member of the campus ministers association, I’ve been asked to conduct worship on campus and participate in other spiritual activities that gave me opportunities to reach out that I would not have had otherwise.

6. Varies by location. There may be other privileges with your location. At the U of Memphis, RSO’s received some art/office supplies from the university. Ask your Office of Student Activities and Services (OSAS or local equivalent). Some schools will provide information about students who indicate a religious preference. Some will provide a mailbox on campus, and some will even give small office space.

Things to Consider:: 1. Constitution. As an RSO, you’ll probably need to write a constitution. Ours is posted in the next article of this issue, and we revise it every couple of years. Your OSAS may provide guidelines and even a sample.

2. Membership. Universities are very particular about inclusiveness, so we are not allowed to limit membership by any doctrinal or faith issues – KSU’s attorneys actually checked our constitutions to make sure they’re inclusive. That’s fine with us, we want everyone to come, whether or not they are Christians! But just be aware that we can’t confine our group membership to the family of faith. (We, like most campus ministry groups at KSU don’t keep a formal “membership” list).

3. Student Officers/Faculty Advisor. You’ll be required to have student officers, and the school may even require you to list students who are members to make sure you have a certain number of students. Use the officer opportunity to develop leaders in your group. You’ll also probably need a faculty or staff member to serve as your advisor. If there aren’t any church members who can do this, there are frequently other faculty who will help a group in this way.

4. Read the rule book and follow the rules! It only takes a few rule breakers to mess things up for all of us! A major issue at KSU is truth in advertising – we’ve had groups invite people to a “movie night”, and sneak in a manipulative evangelistic movie; we’ve also had groups sponsor a picnic and pass out evangelistic response cards. We’ve also had people put up flyers without being honest about who is sponsoring the event. We need to be honest with people! Such things endanger the status of all campus ministries registered at the school. If there are rules you can’t in good conscience follow, then don’t seek RSO status.

I hope these thoughts are helpful. I’m sure there are other issues that I’ve missed, so if you want to drop me a line and let me know, you can catch me at .

Click here for the "Constitution of Cats for Christ"
Matt Carter is campus minister of Cats for Christ, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, and a member of the CCW board. Matt graduated from the University of Georgia (Bachelor of Music) and Harding University Graduate School of Religion (Master of Divinity).