Student Group Accountability Policy
Student groups are recognized and supported by the University through student governing boards and administrative departments; for example, recognized student groups are eligible to receive funds and can hold programs and events on campus using University spaces, and with the support of faculty, alumni, and staff.
Core Expectations
This new policy establishes a proactive, educational framework to address student group behavior, emphasizing accountability, reflection and prevention. A foundational component of the policy is the University’s commitment to equity and inclusion in student group membership. Membership in a recognized student group must be open to all students interested in supporting the group’s mission, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, marital status, military status, or any other legally protected classes, or perceived membership in such a class, and regardless of personal characteristics or beliefs, such as political views.
To the extent that student groups impose eligibility or membership requirements, those requirements must be closely connected to the group’s mission and must be consistent with Columbia’s Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policies. Columbia’s Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) may review reports regarding exclusion from recognized student groups based on a protected class. Questions regarding permissible membership restrictions may be directed to the Student Group Accountability Review Board at 212-854-6872 or [email protected]. Such questions will be referred to OIE for consideration as needed.
The University seeks to give student groups and its leaders as much autonomy and responsibility as possible to create dynamic living and learning environments for all. In turn, student groups and their leaders have an important responsibility to create and support an inclusive, positive student life experience and learning environment consistent with the University’s mission, as reflected in its policies. Considering this relationship, it is necessary to have guidelines and policies by which groups, and individual students acting on their behalf whether as leaders or members, must conduct their activities. All recognized student groups are governed by University and school policies, including those outlined on the University policy website. If a student is found responsible for a violation through an applicable University adjudicatory process and the outcome results in a Disciplinary Probation status or a higher-level sanction, the student is not in good disciplinary standing with the University. Accordingly, the student is ineligible to serve in a leadership position within any recognized student group for the duration of that status.
In addition to University and school policies, student groups are required to adhere to policies and procedures established by the student councils/governing boards that recognize student groups through the individual recognition process at their respective schools or department. Student group violations of council/board-specific expectations, rather than University- or school-specific policies, are managed by the student council/governing board, in consultation with its advisor(s) and/or Dean of Students, and not by the Student Group Accountability Review Board (SGARB) as outlined below.
Policies specific to each school were established in alignment with their respective governance structures. When a formalized policy exists, whether outlined in bylaws, constitutions, handbooks, guidebooks, or other official documents, SGARB may resolve related issues following its established procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, policies published online or shared through various formats by the school or its affiliated entities.
The University is mindful that students are serving in a voluntary capacity, and we appreciate their contributions to campus life. The University recognizes that this is an opportunity for the student groups to better understand University policies, understand why these policies are important, and to work with student group leadership to develop systems to improve actions moving forward.
Other Conduct Considerations
In instances where a student has potentially violated University policy in their capacity as a student group leader or member, the student may face individual disciplinary action in addition to any separate consequences that the student group may face. At the University level, individual student(s) may be referred to the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) for potential violations of Standards and Discipline and other University policies. Individuals may also be referred to the Rules Administrator for potential violations of the Rules of University Conduct.
In addition, individual student(s) or student groups may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity (Division of Title IX and/or Division of Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment) for conduct that may implicate Columbia's Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students, or Columbia's Gender-Based Misconduct and Interim Title IX Policies and Procedures for Students.