Religiously-Affiliated RSO Guidelines
The following regulations and guidelines for religiously affiliated Registered Student Organizations engaging in organization meetings, events, and student communication must be followed to comply with the guidelines of the Student Government Association Constitution. By registering your organization through the Student Government Association, you agree to follow these guidelines. Non-compliance with the following procedure is grounds for organization probation, or, in extreme cases, removal of RSO status. Please access the SGA Constitution to view the legislation in place regarding the following guidelines:
Religious Group Advisors, Directors and their staff both on and off campus, and recognized student religious groups are to function within the following ethical framework at Southwestern College. Group status on campus requires adherence to the specified conduct norms indicated throughout this document. Violations of these conduct norms places the person or group at risk of loss of recognition, loss of status as a registered student group, or being banned from campus.
The following provisions govern the meeting, communication, and organization of religiously affiliated Registered Student Organizations at Southwestern College:
General Principles
- Religious groups are expected to comply with all College policies, including but not limited to those which pertain to hazing, harassment, academic integrity, registration of student groups, solicitation, and conduct of students.
- A student must be able freely to participate in or to leave a religious group without being subject to harassment or procedures that compromise the student’s autonomy. Religious group directors, staff, and their student groups will support religious freedom on campus, enabling students to explore and believe – or not believe – any particular teaching or denomination-affiliated ideologies.
- Religious group directors, staff, advisors, and students who choose to partake in religiously affiliated RSO activities on campus must uphold respect for the religious convictions and/or ancestral identification of each student.
- In public statements and activities, religious group directors, advisors, their students, and staff must avoid denigrating or de-legitimizing any religious group that has gained recognition at Southwestern College. Religious group directors, advisors, staff, and student groups should cultivate respect for, and understanding of, the range of world religions and non-religious thought. Proselytizing by undermining another religious community is considered a violation of good practice, and even sincere conversation should not be sought through deprecating other groups. Religious group directors, advisors, and their students should share their faith with others in a manner that avoids harassing, demeaning, or disregarding the integrity and freedom of other persons in making their own decisions in matters of religious faith and identity. They should avoid language that foments hatred or prejudice, or which otherwise undermines the community of respect and trust which is essential to free academic discourse and religious freedom.
- Religious group directors, advisors, and staff must not engage in any action that (a) seriously compromises a student’s academic standing, (b) removes students from campus by pressure or force or without their full consent, (c) places undue financial pressure on students, or (d) exploits the sexual or other vulnerability of students. Religious group directors, advisors, and their staff are expected to respect the goals and purposes of the College, avoiding programs or efforts that obstruct the achievement of those goals, especially with regard to students. They should responsibly support the College’s pursuit of the educational goals which form its foundation.
- In publicizing their group and its programs or offering items on campus, religious group directors, advisors, staff, and students must create and distribute only materials that clearly convey who they are, and the focus of their group or program. The Southwestern College logo, name, branding, as well as the Southwestern College Campus Ministry logo, name, and branding MAY NOT be utilized in materials produced by religiously affiliated RSOs for any purpose without the consent of the Southwestern College Communications Office, and the Southwestern College Campus Ministry Office, respectively.
- Registered Student Organization advisors are CSA trained, and thus, mandatory reporters. If a student reports a crime that took place on campus, they are required to report this information to either the Title IX Coordinator, the Director of Safety and Security, or the Dean of Students. Advisors of any organization are not permitted, nor qualified to offer therapeutic or pastoral services. A student in crisis seeking out confidential discussion should be directed to either the Campus Minister, or the Campus Wellness Coordinator.
Meeting Regulations
- Religiously Affiliated Registered Student Organizations MUST uphold all provisions stated in both the Student Government Association Constitution, as well as the Advisor Bylaws listed in the SGA Constitution.
- Members of the community (non-Southwestern Students, excluding advisors/staff) are permitted to attend meetings in which they serve a function that promotes group education, spiritual formation, and aligns with Southwestern College’s institutional mission. Members of the community are NOT permitted to be regular members of Registered Student Organizations. If members of the community are present at the meetings of a particular Registered Student Organization, said organization is permitted to meet on Southwestern College’s campus (pending approval), however, this permission is not extended to residence halls on campus. Members of the community are not permitted to enter residence halls for any reason, including organization meetings.
Conduct Regulations
- Southwestern College’s Student Government Association has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, hazing, harassment, discrimination, non-inclusivity, violence, coercion, or the breaking of any Campus policies or laws upheld by state/local/federal governments. ALL RSO Advisors, members of the community, and members of the student body who are involved in Registered Student Organizations in any manner are expected to uphold this standard of conduct, and maintain values of respect, integrity, and responsibility within all organization proceedings. Failure to maintain this standard can result in RSO probation, RSO status removal, RSO dissolution, administrative discipline, or legal action depending on the severity and nature of each non-compliant incident.