42. Activities of University-Recognized Student Organizations
(Revised: 2020)
As an institution of higher learning, Texas A&M University strives to create an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas among its students, faculty, and staff. Recognized student organizations are valuable participants in this exchange, whether they have audiences of a single class or a wider spectrum of the university community. It is the responsibility of the university to provide the climate and conditions needed to fulfill its mission. The following rules are designed to serve these objectives:
42.1 Any recognized student organization may sponsor speakers or programs for its own group. The privilege of inviting speakers and performers carries with it important responsibilities to ensure that the proper objectives of the university are not compromised. The university will protect the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Texas A&M University maintains its right to regulate reasonable time, place and manner restrictions concerning acts of expression and dissent. The university reserves the right to locate any assembly so as to ensure that the activity does not interfere with the normal operation of the university or interfere with the rights of others. The University President or their duly authorized representative may order an event to be terminated on grounds that it constitutes a disruptive activity as defined by the Texas Education Code (See Appendix I and Appendix XI). Any member of the faculty or staff or any student who resists such an order shall be subject to disciplinary action.
42.2 If a recognized student organization is entering into a contract on behalf of their organization, the contract must be reviewed according to the procedures below, with further guidance outlined in the Student Organization Manual. Student organizations are responsible for compliance with the expectations of their agreements.
42.2.1 If the contract is paid using a student organization’s fiscal account, then the contract needs to follow applicable university procurement procedures as outlined in Purchasing Procedures 25.07.03.M2.01 and be reviewed and approved by the university department head responsible for the account or their designee and/or Contract Administration as appropriate.
42.2.2 If the contract is paid using a student organization’s Student Organization Finance Center account or approved banking equivalent, then the contract is eligible for a courtesy contract review by Student Activities prior to the execution of the contract, as defined in the Student Organization Manual.
42.2.3 In all cases, the organization must provide their university organization advisor an opportunity to review the contract prior to execution.
42.2.4 No student organization may enter into a contract on behalf of Texas A&M University. Student organizations, and not Texas A&M University, are accountable for the financial obligations associated with the execution of the contracts.
42.3 Because the university is judged by the action of its students, no individual, group or other organization may use the institution’s name without the express authorization of the institution except to identify the institutional affiliation. Institution approval or disapproval of any event may not be stated or implied by any individual, group or organization as a position held by the university.
42.4 It is expected that all student organizations will have their events, whether on or off campus, reviewed and approved by their university advisor(s).
42.5 State law as it regards candidates for public office and campaigning on public property and all other applicable statutes must be observed. Any recognized student organization wishing to sponsor a partisan political activity on campus must provide reasonable notice of the event to appropriate university officials and follow the political activity guidelines as outlined in University Rule 07.03.01.M1.
42.6 Recognized student organizations must seek advance approval to use university marks on commercial products or service promotions, purchase the products from a licensee, and have a design approved by the Texas A&M University Office of Brand Development. Student organizations are subject to branding standards as defined in the University Brand Guide.