Sweeping Changes for New Club Members at FAMU

Changes Include Anti-Hazing And Community Service Workshops, New Academic Standards, Improved Recordkeeping

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Membership intake for all Florida A&M University (FAMU) clubs and organizations will resume in September for the fall 2012 semester. The decision was made after a series of changes were implemented to prevent hazing, stress community service, strengthen membership requirements and create an overall safer and more organized environment for students, Vice President for Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr. announced today.

Greek organizations will be able to start the membership recruitment process beginning September 11 through on-campus interest meetings. All other clubs and organizations will start their meetings beginning September 17. Intake had been suspended in January for the spring 2012 semester, following the death of a student in an alleged hazing incident.

“We want to ensure that all students who wish to participate in a club or organization can do so in a safe and orderly environment,” said Hudson. “We also want students to realize they are students first, and that involvement in any club or organization is a privilege. They have to earn that privilege by maintaining good academic standing, but also by giving back to the community. Our goal is to produce not just good students, but good citizens.”

Among the new additions to the intake process is a new mandatory “Rattlers First” Membership Orientation Program provided by the Office of Student Activities for new members throughout the year. These workshops will address topics such as anti-hazing, community service, time management, conflict resolution, new member rights and responsibilities and personal and professional development. Each potential member of the
club or organization must attend these workshops to be considered for membership.

There will also be new academic requirements for students to participate and be members of their organization’s executive board.

According to the new guidelines, to be eligible to apply for admission to any club or organization, effective immediately a student must have completed his or her freshman year with a minimum of 24 credit hours and a 2.0 GPA. Effective fall 2013, a student must have completed his or her freshman year with a minimum of 24 credit hours, a 2.5 GPA and 30 hours of community service.

To maintain membership in an organization, students must maintain an overall 2.0 GPA, be in good academic and judicial standing as defined by the university catalog, and accrue 30 documented hours of community service annually.

Beginning in fall 2013, executive board members of all clubs and organizations will be required to maintain a 2.5 GPA. Each club and organization will also have to follow strict guidelines for keeping the listing of executive board members up-to-date within the Office of Student Activities. Clubs and organizations will also be required to submit monthly community service reports to the Office of Student Activities by the 30th day of every month, with specific details of the service. Penalties for failing to submit reports could lead to the suspension of all activities.

The new intake requirements will be presented to students at several mandatory information sessions held by student clubs and organizations in September to discuss policies and procedures. A mandatory advisor’s workshop is also scheduled in September for to review of the information and the duties essential to being an effective advisor during this the upcoming academic school year.

Executive board members of all clubs and organizations will be required to maintain a 2.5 GPA. Each club and organization will also have to follow strict guidelines for keeping the listing of executive board members up to date within the Office of Student Activities. Clubs and organizations will also be required to submit monthly community service reports to the Office of Student Activities by the 30th day of every month, with specific details of the service. Penalties for failing to submit reports could lead to the suspension of all activities.