Starting a Club or Society
Starting a Club or Society
Being part of a club or society is one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding things you can do at university, and SUSU is here to help.
Applications to affiliate your existing club or society to SUSU can only be made in the summer term during the affiliation window period.
In order to apply for affiliation, you will need to follow the process and criteria detailed below.
Step 1: Speak to a member of SUSU staff
Each new club or society will be supported by a member of SUSU staff. In order to ensure that you are given the correct information and recommendations, please arrange to meet with a member of staff from the appropriate area to discuss your new club or society. To arrange this meeting please contact suactivities@soton.ac.uk.
Step 2: Be an Active Group
If you apply for affiliation and your group meets the criteria, then the decision will be put forward to the SUSU Clubs/Societies Executive Committee (chaired by VP Sports/VP Activities) to vote on.
The student groups must meet the criteria of affiliation as specified our Rules:
- The student group must not duplicate the objectives and aims of another student group, leading to an unnecessary proliferation of groups.
- The objectives and aims of the group must be clear and lawful.
- The student group must have at least 15 members who are full members of SUSU.
- The total student group membership may never exceed more than 25% associate members.
- Membership of the student group is open to all SUSU members.
- The student group must have an elected committee which consists of at least President (or equivalent role), Treasurer and Wellbeing & Inclusion Officer (or equivalent role). The committee must all be full members and there must only be one President and one Treasurer.
- The student group must have a constitution that is compatible with the SUSU Articles, Rules and any other relevant policies.
- The student group must have an Annual General Meeting which includes a financial review of the group and election of the following year’s committee.
Please remember fulfilling all the criteria does not guarantee affiliation. We currently have over 300 clubs and societies and are not necessarily able to accommodate affiliating all applications. We would anticipate being able to affiliate a maximum of 10 new clubs and societies each year. We encourage you to be as clear as possible about the benefits you expect from becoming an affiliated club or society.
An application to become an affiliated student group will be assessed by the SUSU Activities Team. The Activities Team will make recommendations to a panel consisting of the SUSU Executive Team except the Union President and Chief Executive.
If the application is not approved, the applicants can appeal following the process defined by Rule 8.
