William McCurry. Student Organizations from A to Z 

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY 

Student organizations on college campuses offer students valuable opportunities to find their community and better understand themselves. These groups foster connection, identity, and engagement by creating spaces where individuals can share common interests and experiences. There is a wide variety of organizations available to students. These include political groups, cultural associations, academic societies, and clubs centered around specific hobbies or niche interests. At Mississippi State University, students have over 300 student-let organizations at their grasp, ensuring that there is truly something for everyone. Many can be found through Cowbell Connect. These groups are open to all students. Whether they're freshmen, upperclassmen, or graduate students, organizations encourage participation from across the university community. No matter where students live, whether in residence halls or in apartments, these organizations strive to be inclusive and accessible. They are designed to reach students across all majors, disciplines, and backgrounds, helping them build friendships, enhance their college experience, and grow both personally and academically.

Student organizations have played an integral role at Mississippi State University since the institution’s inception in 1878. In the early years, many of these groups were centered around agriculture. This reflects the university’s infancy as a land-grant institution focused on agricultural and mechanical education. As the campus community evolved and student interests diversified, the organization on campus did as well. By the late 1930s, Greek life began to take shape at MSU with fraternities and sororities offering students opportunities for leadership, service, and lifelong friendships. These organizations brought a new layer of social, personal, and academic engagement to campus life. In 1964, the Residence Hall Association was established to represent students living in campus housing. It gave, and continues to give, residents a voice in their community and helps to enhance the on-campus living experience. Today, student organizations continue to reflect the university’s dynamic and growing student body, offering involvement opportunities that support academic success, personal growth, and a sense of belonging for all students.

BEGINNING TO END

Student organizations begin with one idea. For some clubs, it starts as a gaggle of friends who share a common hobby or passion. For others, it may stem from a desire to promote awareness, drive change, or build a community around a shared identity or cause. For all clubs, the goal is the same. They create a space that others can enjoy, participate in, and feel welcomed by. Over time, these organizations grow beyond their original purpose, becoming meaningful parts of campus life and shaping the college experience for countless students.

After figuring out the theme, idea, or niche of your organization, you begin by reaching out to an advisor or sponsor. For the Tabletop Gaming Club at MSU, they needed to find someone who would support the endeavor in starting a club about board games, card games, tabletop-roleplaying games, and other things of the like. Once that is completed, the next step is registering. One would think it is a one-form submission, but the process of starting a club is very thorough.

You must register for your club like every other club at Mississippi State University in Cowbell Connect. To begin, you go to the website and sign in with your MSU credentials. Next, you go to the organization tab and click “Register New Organization.” You will be asked to provide some information about your up-and-coming organization. You must be prepared to submit a constitution for the organization. It must include the basic structure of the executive positions and some bylaws. Within the registration process, a roster of six members is needed also. Once that is all submitted, your submission will be reviewed by your advisor or sponsor, as well as the Center for Student Activities. When hopefully approved, your application will be viewed by the New Student Organizations Committee. The committee meets during the third week of every month throughout each semester. It is a very strenuous process, but it is to ensure that every organization aligns with the universities policies and is properly ready for the upcoming semester or school year.

Now you are at the finish line. You properly set up your organization under the university’s guidelines. You have an exec board and officers. You have at least six members. Where do you go from here. Getting the word out about your new organization is the next step. There are many ways to go about doing so. Making flyers to put all across campus is one way. Another way people go about gaining prominence is making a social media account. Most organizations use Instagram, but many also use X.

When getting to university, student organizations are sought after because many are looking for their in-group. Sometimes that is there for you, but for some, they have to be the one to innovate. With over 300 student-led organizations and counting, what new organization will be next? Better question: who will be courageous enough to start it and lead it from beginning to end?

Email me at wdm253@msstate.edu with any questions