Student Organization Resources
Whether you want to start a new student organization on Washburn Law’s campus, book a room for your student organization, or file financial paperwork to get reimbursed, you have come to the right place. This resource is divided into three main sections: (1) Student Organization Forms and Links, (2) Maintaining Your Student Organization, and (3) How to Start a Student Organization.
Student Organization Forms and Important Links
Student organizations are required to complete certain forms to access their WSBA funding. Below are important links and forms to help your organization:
Reserve an On-Campus Room (Pro tip: Be sure to check the Events Calendar before scheduling your event to maximize attendance!)
WSBA Reimbursement Form (Pro tip: Use one of the two Prepayment Forms to avoid using your personal funds.)
Extra-Budgetary Requests for Student Organizations - Please use this form to request additional funding from WSBA.
Washburn Law - Organization Funding, Financial Information, and Ordering Food
To digitally sign any of the above forms, you should create a certificate-based e-signature through Adobe for free.
Maintaining Your Student Organization
Maintaining and managing a student organization is demanding work—and WSBA appreciates your commitment to our law school community. To keep your student organization in compliance with WSBA, your student organization:
Must always have (at least) a President and Treasurer
Must update WSBA and the Dean of Student Affairs of any updates in your organization’s leadership or officers
Must have a faculty advisor
Must have at least seven (7) student members
Must submit an annual report to the WSBA Vice President (WSBA will contact Student Organizations directly for this)
Must maintain a recent copy of your organization’s Constitution with WSBA
Must abide by all Washburn University, School of Law, and WSBA rules, regulations, and policies
Maintaining your organization’s finances can be difficult, so WSBA has developed a WSBA Student Organization Budget Cheat Sheet to help student organizations track their finances, officers, and events for WSBA’s annual report requirement.
Throughout the year, the WSBA Vice President may contact student organizations to request updates on their student organization, require updates to their assigned bulletin boards, or solicit feedback. If your organization ever has any questions, please contact the WSBA Vice President for help.
How to Start a Student Organization
So, you want to start a student organization? Cool! Increasing the number of diverse interests represented on campus is always beneficial for the student body. Creating spaces where everyone can find a place to belong is a priority for our community. To start a student organization, you will need:
To find someone willing to serve as the organization’s President and Treasurer
To find at least seven (7) student members
To find a faculty advisor
To write and adopt a Constitution for your student organization
Once you have gathered the above information and documents, you will be ready to file your student organization with WSBA to be recognized. Once you have made a submission, the WSBA Vice President will follow-up with you directly. And as always, contact the WSBA Vice President if you have any questions or concerns.
If you need help forming a student organizaton constitution, please feel free to use this Sample Student Organization Constitution Template as a foundational model from which you can build.