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Club Roles and Responsibilities

Purpose

Club Roles and Responsibilities will vary based on the club or organization's status within the institution.

Club Status

Active Status 

CWI clubs maintaining an active status are fully registered with the Office of Student Engagement. Active status depends upon fulfilling all required paperwork during Open Enrollment and upholding relevant policies and procedures.

Inactive Status 

Any club not meeting the Open Enrollment requirements will become inactive until the next Open Enrollment. The club can apply for active status during the next Open Enrollment period. 

Any club or organization may lose active status if one or more of the following occurs: 

  • Club's bank account has been in deficit for more than 30 calendar days
  • Opening an off-campus bank account
  • Failure to complete the annual registration process during Open Enrollment
  • Failure to adhere to CWI policies and procedures
  • Failure to adhere to the Student Handbook policies and procedures
  • Failure to adhere to policies and procedures outlined in this handbook
  • Loss of an advisor/inability to replace an advisor within the three-week grace period

**Any club account that has been inactive for a period of one (1) academic year will be closed. Any remaining funds will be returned to ASCWI. The Office of Student Engagement must approve exceptions to this rule.

Loss of Recognition

A registered student club or organization may lose recognition if one or more of the following occurs:

  • Continuous inactive status
  • Hazing
  • Discriminatory practices
  • Violations of CWI policies or procedures as determined by the Office of Enrollment and Student Services
  • Violation of local, state and/or federal laws

**Any funds existing as a balance within the organization's account will be returned to ASCWI upon the loss of recognition.

Withdrawal of College Recognition 

Any club or organization that chooses to not maintain active status may withdraw their recognition from the college. To withdraw recognition contact the Office of Student Engagement. If a club chooses to withdraw their club status, their club funds from the current school year will be returned to ASCWI.

Appeals Process for Loss of Club Recognition 

Club members may appeal loss of club recognition for a forming or existing club or organization. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students within 14 business days of receiving the decision. The Dean of Students will make the final decision on the appeal within 14 business days of receiving it. Written notice of this decision will be sent to the club. This will serve as the ultimate and final decision on the appeal.

Officer Responsibilities

Purpose

Learn about the responsibilities of club officers including how to report concerns, student and club handbook violations, and what an infraction may result in for an organization by clicking on the links below.

Shared Responsibility for Infractions

Students and organizations may be held responsible for the conduct of their guests while on CWI premises, at CWI-sponsored or supervised activities, and at functions sponsored by any registered student organization. 

Organizational Responsibility 

A complaint may be filed against an organization under the Student Conduct Code. An organization and its members may be held collectively and individually responsible for violations of the Code. Please refer to 2.10. Offenses Related to Student Organizations for more information

The Office of Student Engagement may put an organization on hold, or place into inactive status for a determined length of time, based on repeated infractions such as mismanagement of funds, misrepresentation of the organization, or any policies or procedures applicable to Recognized Clubs & Organizations. 

 

Specified responsibilities for all Club officers

  • Comply with all rules and regulations as found in the Student Organization Handbook, this manual and other information provided by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍø (CWI).
  • Represent the student organization as elected officers of the said student organization in all matters pertaining to communication and dissemination of information amongst CWI, vendors, and the student organization.
  • Prohibit members from practicing any physical or psychological hazing, illegal activity, and violations of college policy.
  • Adhere to the purpose of your organization as stated in the constitution.
  • Practice fiscal responsibility and an ethical use of state resources.
  • Maintain close communication with your advisor, keeping them informed of organization progress towards its goals and objectives, as well as reporting any dangerous or prohibited activities engaged in by anyone associated with the organization.
  • Maintain communication with CWI by keeping the Office of Student Engagement informed of planned activities and any potential problems or violations.

Types of Infractions:

Potential infractions fall under three categories*: 

Student Violations: One or more students violate community standards and expectations. All students will be held accountable to the Code of Student Conduct. Anyone in violation of the Code of Student Conduct will be referred to Student Conduct for resolution of the case. 

Club  or  Organizational  Violations: A  club  or  organization is  in  violation  of  standards or procedures. Clubs and Organizations are required to meet the unique responsibilities required of all clubs & organizations in order to uphold the safety and enrichment experience of CWI Students. A club or organization in violation of their requirements will be referred to Student Engagement for resolution of the case. 

Advisor Violations:  An advisor fails to adhere to procedures or abuses their position of authority. Advisors are required to attend a club orientation session to learn proper processes and procedures that are to be used during their tenure as an Advisor. Should advisors violate their commitment to the club or organizations, they may be removed from the position of Advisor and/or they may be referred to Human Resources for further investigation of the case. 

*As each infraction and category is unique, each is subject to its own unique set of standards and potential sanctions.

Violations

Potential Violations include: 

  1. Unaccounted funds (deposits, withdrawals, transactions)
  2. Failure to file required paperwork by specified deadlines
  3. Absence from meetings and/or trainings
  4. Off-site bank accounts
  5. Off-site withholding of funds
  6. Failure to provide receipts or other financial records
  7. Violating the Code of Conduct or violating local, state, federal laws
  8. Flagrant disregard for processes and procedures
  9. Abusing a position of power
     

Sanctions

Potential Sanctions include: 

  1. Probationary Status
  2. Repaying debt on outstanding balances
  3. Censure
  4. Restitution for damages incurred
  5. Preventing access to funds
  6. Loss of privileges
  7. Inactive status OR loss of college recognition
  8. Referral of the case to the Office of Student Conduct and/or local authorities
  9. Referral of the case to the Dean (for Advisors)
  10. Removal of the Officer or Advisor from their position
  11. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. All sanctions and other repercussions for violations are at the discretion of the Office of Student Engagement.

Reporting Concerns

Student Engagement may not be aware a problem exists unless you notify us. For that reason, we have formalized a process for reporting issues of concern. Any student, staff, or faculty may file a complaint. 

If the complaint is regarding an Advisor, Club, or Organization, the issue should be reported to Student Engagement at clubs@cwi.edu. If you believe that you concern is in regard to a  violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the issue should be reported to the Student Conduct through the . 

While all complaints will be investigated, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍø is committed to protecting the privacy of all students and, for that reason, the outcome of the investigation will remain confidential. 

For detailed information regarding the processes and procedures used to investigate complaints, please refer to the Code of Conduct or contact Student Conduct directly at conduct@cwi.edu. You can find more information on student conduct in the Student Handbook

Advisor Role & Responsibilities

Purpose

This section outlines the requirements for an advisor, what happens when an organization loses an advisor, how to remove or replace and advisor, and the college's Fraternization Policy.

Loss of Advisor

Purpose

Here we discuss what happens if you lose your club advisor during the academic year and how Student Engagement can help support the club identify a new one.

During the course of the semester or year, the club advisor may need to step down from their role. If this occurs, it is important that the club finds a new advisor within fifteen (15) business days of the previous advisor leaving.  

If a new advisor is not found, the club may become inactive or lose their registered status. Please work with Student Engagement during this time as we might be able to help find an individual that would be able to fulfill the advisor's role for your club. 

If the club cannot find an advisor during the grace period, the club's status will be changed to inactive for the remainder of the current semester. The club can then reapply for active status during the next Open Enrollment, if an advisor has been identified.

*Please be mindful that no monetary transactions can be made during the time that there is no advisor.

Role of Club Advisors

Purpose

Effective advisors will advise on club and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍø (CWI) processes but will also allow club members to plan and make decisions and mistakes. They will partake in club decisions and educate members in order for them to make informed choices. 

Club advisors must: 

  • Be employed by CWI.
  • Complete club activation training and successfully pass the assessment annually.
  • Advise club members on club policies and assist in adherence.
  • Assist club members in managing a budget and making financial decisions that adhere to club policies, and signing off on all financial documents.
  • Be proactive in helping the students plan club events, fundraisers, and travel.
  • Work closely with Student Engagement in all club processes.
  • Hold club members accountable when they fail to follow policies and procedures.
  • Maintain communication with club officers and Student Engagement regarding all events, issues, travel, etc.
  • Help foster individual and team leadership among the club members
  • Follow all policies and procedures as outlined in the Club and Organization Handbook.

Last Reviewed

June 26, 2023

Remove/Replace Club Advisor

If the students in the club want to replace their advisor, it is the club's choice and decision. The process of selecting and removing an advisor should be outlined in the club's constitution. 

Student Engagement encourages the club's officers to meet with the club advisor to discuss concerns. Miscommunication is often the issue and can easily be resolved amongst the group. Student Engagement always highly encourages advisors, officers and members to communicate concerns with the Office of Student Engagement.  

In the case the club does not specify the process for advisor appointment and removal, then the process shall be carried out with a majority vote of all club officers that are registered with Student Engagement and have completed training. Any advisor removal should be communicated immediately to Student Engagement. 

Fraternization Policy

Clubs often participate closely with their advisor on projects and programming and often even travel with advisors. It is imperative that advisors and members keep professional relationships. 

CWI faculty and staff assist CWI in meeting its mission of providing a quality higher education for its students. Students should be assured that the relationships they develop with employees are built upon the highest ethical principles of the education profession. Maintaining professional relationships and mutual respect and trust between employee and students is key to CWI’s success. 

Employee and student relationships give rise to actual or apparent conflicts of interest, favoritism and bias and thereby undermine the real or perceived integrity of the academic environment. A relationship where an employee has academic, administrative, supervisory, evaluative or other authority or influence over a student raises concerns about objectivity, fairness and exploitation. These relationships may harm others in the academic environment and give rise to third party complaints resulting from real or perceived instances of undue access or advantage and/or restricted opportunities. Such relationships impair or otherwise undermine the ongoing trust needed for effective teaching, learning and professional development. Accordingly, CWI has adopted the following guidelines to address certain relationships between employee and students. 

  • Employees are prohibited from dating, pursuing a date, and having or pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship with a student enrolled in the faculty member’s class or subject to employee supervision. Relationships between employee and students that are of a romantic or sexual nature when a relationship of authority exists are prohibited. 
  • No CWI employee shall exercise any academic, supervisory, evaluative or other authority or influence over a student with whom the employee has a relationship. 
  • If a relationship exists or arises between an employee and a student, any relationship of authority must be eliminated. 
  • If a relationship arises, exists or has existed between an employee and a student, the employee has the primary responsibility to report the relationship to his or her immediate supervisor and/or Human Resources. 
  • In the event that a consensual relationship exists or has existed between an employee and a student, the supervisor must take prompt and appropriate action to end the relationship of authority.   
  • Appropriate actions may include but are not limited to: appointment of a qualified alternative instructor to the position of authority; transfer of the student to another course, section, or seminar taught by a different instructor; or assignment or transfer of the student to another academic advisor. 
  • In the event that a CWI employee or student not involved in the relationship believes a relationship is occurring or has occurred between an employee and a student, the employee or student shall disclose such knowledge to the relevant department supervisor and/or Human Resources.  
  • To encourage reporting of relationships governed by this policy, disclosures shall be considered confidential.  
  • Further, retaliation against any employee or student reporting a relationship under this policy is strictly prohibited. 

For more information on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍø's Fraternization Policy, please refer to the Human Resources Policy – 020. 

Further questions or concerns can be directed to Student Engagement at clubs@cwi.edu.