By Megan Jicha

Mitch, Frank and Beanie started a fraternity in the film “Old School” in less time than it takes to open a checking account.

But is it easier said than done at Northeastern?

Every year at freshman orientation, students hear how “You too can start a student group here at Northeastern University.”

Only about 10 students a year take the university up on this offer, however, and begin the process of starting an organization. Not all make it through the process, according to the Campus Activities Office. Last year, 17 student groups were recognized.

The road to starting a student organization consists of seven steps, beginning at the Campus Activities Office. Students must first talk with a member of the Campus Activities Office and present their ideas.

“This process makes sure that there is not already an existing group on campus that has the same goals and ideas as the group one wants to start,” said Victor Morales, one of the program coordinators and a co-op at the Campus Activities Office.

Once the idea for a student organization is deemed original, students need to recruit members and an advisor.

Joseph Schneider, president of the NU Habitat for Humanity, one of the newest student organizations on campus, said this can be the most important step in the process.

“Getting the right people together to start an organization is one of the hardest parts. I think the downfall for most groups is not getting the right group of people together who are interested enough in the group to dedicate the time needed to it,” Schneider said.

Brooke Tempesta, director of campus activities and programs, said many groups have trouble finding a faculty advisor. To help, the Campus Activities Office solicits faculty members who would be willing to be faculty advisors.

After the group begins to form, writing a constitution and creating a mission statement is the next hurdle. These documents help the university understand what the visions, goals and guidelines of the group are.

Once these statements are written, the students must turn in all necessary paperwork including a registration form, member roster and anti-hazing forms.

Once essential paperwork is completed, an appointment is scheduled with Tempesta.

During this meeting, the group’s information is reviewed, once again making sure it is not too similar to an already existing group’s visions and goals, and sets up a date for the group to meet with the Student Affairs Board (SAB), which is a branch of the Student Government Association (SGA).

The SAB reviews the constitution and mission statement to make sure the group has potential and direction.

“If a group’s constitution, or any other information, is not yet quite good enough for approval, we will assign a member of the SAB to go back and help the group fix their problem areas,” said John Guilfoil, president of the SAB.

Guilfoil said since the beginning of the summer, six groups have been approved and officially recognized. There are currently over 200 student groups on campus, although not all are active, according to the Campus Activities Office.

Schneider said Habitat for Humanity’s meeting with the SAB allowed them to fix the minor flaws within their constitution.

After the meeting, the SAB and Tempesta notify the group via e-mail whether or not they were recognized by the university as a student organization.

“Some grounds for rejection are due to goals of organizations being too narrow, ideas are too similar to existing groups or they are too competitive to be considered a student organization and should look into becoming a club sport,” Tempesta said.

Once a group is officially recognized, the group must finalize a few details with Campus Activities.

Groups are encouraged to plan events, lectures, dances, quad shows and conferences. Information on planning these events can be found online and in handouts at the Campus Activities Office.

The process of creating a student group may be viewed as difficult and time consuming.

“We don’t want to make the process too easy because we don’t want groups to just start up then die. Getting students to see groups as a longevity issue can be an obstacle, but it is important that the founding students of groups realize we want organizations to thrive and stay active,” said Tempesta.

Although starting a student organization may not be as easy as applying for credit, it can and is done by determined students each year, Tempesta said. Students shouldn’t be afraid to come forward with their ideas for a student group, Morales said.

“If you have a group of serious individuals willing to do the work to get [their idea] off the ground, almost any group could be created,” Morales said. “Kids came in the other day looking to start a cigar-making club and sounded pretty serious about it.”

Although he wasn’t sure if the group would be recognized, Morales said the students seemed enthused and that was the important part.

Checklist: Get your group off the ground

* Two copies of Student Registration Form * 12 students to join * Anti-hazing form * A staff/faculty advisor * Group contact person * Constitution ‘ bylaws * Letter from sponsoring dean/department/office

– Info courtesy of curry.neu.edu/activities/welcome.html