Managing Your Student Organization

Tap into your passion and create your Carnegie Mellon experience with a community of your peers through student organizations. The Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Civic Engagement (SLICE) is here to support your student organization and to make managing your organization as easy as possible—so you can forge friendships and new ground to do work that matters.

Setting Your Org Up for Success

Step 1: Transition your Executive Board

Transition your Executive Board: The best way to sustain the success of your organization is to successfully transition information; review important topics to start the discussion. SLICE recommends your organization create your own transition binder or files, which are tailored to your organization.

Step 2: Update Your Organization's TartanConnect Page

Make sure your organization's page on TartanConnect is up-to-date. Update your roster section for new leadership and check pending statuses for members. Please make sure all contact information is accurate. Add events and meetings so that incoming and current students can see what exciting events and important initiatives you have to offer.

Step 3: Attend the The REACH Training Program

Attend the REACH Training Program: Formerly the Tartan Leader Conference, SLICE's REACH Training Program: Resources, Education, and Campus How-Tos, focuses on training and preparing CMU’s student organization leaders to manage their communities, understand applicable policies and procedures, grow as leaders, and execute their missions through events, competitions and more.

Step 4: Communicate with Student Government

Communicate with Student Government: A good relationship with Student Government (StuGov) can be extremely beneficial for groups throughout the year. The Student Body Vice President for Finance (SBVPF) and the Student Body Vice President for Organizations (SBVPO) are two executive positions who facilitate several important student organization processes related to organization finances and re-recognition.

Step 5: Check on Your Finances

Make sure your finances are in order: You should compare your organization's financial ledger to the transactions that are hitting your organization account(s) by visiting your organization’s Finance tab on TartanConnect (available soon). Read through important policies on how to spend your money in Student Organization Resources: Financial Management.

Step 6: Connect with an Advisor

Connect with an advisor: Although advisors are not required, they are a great resource for student organizations. Email the SLICE team for more information on advisors.

Step 7: Communicate with Your Members

Communicate with your members: Plan your first meeting to kick off the academic year. The Fair is a great way to start recruiting.

Step 8: Review University Policies

Review key University Policies: Stay up-to-date on University Policies and The Word.

Step 9: Plan Your Events & Meetings

Plan events and meetings: Check out our Event Management section on our website to get started. Events and initiatives are a great way to not only involve and engage your organization but also for the CMU community to connect with your group and see its activity.

Step 10: Connect with SLICE

Visit SLICE: Throughout the year, the SLICE Office is here to assist you with any questions you may have. SLICE's physical offices reside in the Cohon Center SLICE First Floor or Lower Level Offices. Request to Meet with SLICE to set up a virtual meeting.

Recruiting

Recruiting engaged, motivated and passionate individuals will help you achieve the meaningful work of your student organization. The SLICE Office arranges opportunities throughout the year for you to meet your future members depending on if you're looking to recruit from the general student body or for fraternity and sorority chapters.

Embracing Technology

Productive student organizations must work together as a team and the team should be built on a solid foundation of communication, trust and accountability. Embracing tech for your student organization can enhance teamwork and help you to communicate effectively and efficiently. Utilize university resources like TartanConnect, a platform for student orgs to manage membership and message members, to post events, to run annual officer elections, to and to record your activities and membership - showcasing involvement and life within your organization.

Accessing Your Org's Spaces

As a Carnegie Mellon student organization, you have the ability to obtain a mailbox and access to cards and buildings to conduct your organization's business.

CMU places a high expectation on our student organizations.

Student Organization Conduct

Student org's are expected to positively contribute to our campus community while adhering to all applicable policies, procedures and laws governing student organization conduct. Any misalignment with these expectations is handled through the student organization conduct process and managed by SLICE. SLICE expects that our student organization leaders will report concerning behavior and educate members on the resources available to them.

What makes your organization unique?

Your Organization’s Brand

A brand is a perception formed in the mind of your audiences at every point of contact — verbal or visual. Words and images used to represent your org’s brand reflect your organization and what is stands for as part of the Carnegie Mellon community.

Did you know CMU has brand archetypes? CMU's character, defined by our rich history and personality traits, is equal parts SAGE, HERO and OUTLAW. Think which programs or aspects of your organization embrace these archetypes. How does your organization make these characters come to life?

Your organization must demonstrate a unified and distinct point of view, as well as an understanding of your org’s values and beliefs. There are key components to understanding, defining and communicating your organization’s brand.

Communicating Your Brand

1. Know your audience.

Marketing to first-year students will look different than marketing to graduate students, for instance. Know as much as you can about who you are trying to reach and engage. Remember: the goal of branding is not to attract everyone; it's to attract the right people who will resonate with you and your brand.

2. Know what makes your organization unique from others who may be similar in nature.

How is your organization that focuses on service to the local community unique from another organization that does similar work? Knowing and communicating what makes your organization unique is critical to standing out and reaching your target audience.

3. Know your mission and your values.

What does your organization stand for and believe in? Your mission and values are the backbone for your organization and is the foundation of your organization’s brand.

4. Know your brand.

Brand consistency is key to brand recognition for your audience. Your brand will provide a common language and visuals, which will help to judge whether communications are on or off-brand. Knowing your brand and staying true to it will allow your organization to devote energy to creating and delivering the best, most effective communications and marketing efforts.

Brand Standards

Carnegie Mellon University's Marketing and Communications provide best practices and guidelines when utilizing the CMU brand (wordmark, acronyms, logos, Tartan, etc.).

Trademark Licensing

Many organizations purchase giveaways, t-shirts, uniforms, etc. that include one or more of CMU's trademarks, logos or Scotty Dogs. Please review the Trademark Licensing website and consult with the SLICE Office before making purchases. Proofs may need approval in addition to working with an approved vendor.

Life at CMU Slack

Connect with fellow student org social media/PR/communications chairs and CMU's social media staff to network, receive tips, share your events and news, and more in the Life at CMU Slack. Email Life at CMU to request to join!

Thinking Virtually

COVID-19 has highlighted the demand for virtual meetings, resources and events. Pandemic aside, virtual resources are a great way to make your information and events accessible to all users. Set up a meeting with a SLICE staff member to discuss how you can plan a virtual event. You can also learn from your fellow student leaders about how they are embracing the virtual space and creating successful virtual events. Watch the Student Organization Virtual Success Panel for some tips!

Student Leadership, Involvement, and Civic Engagement

Student Affairs