I. Policy Statement

Per Article XV Section I of the University By-Laws, and consistent with said article, this policy is established to ensure that students are appropriately eligible to hold leadership positions in student organizations and programs and initiatives supported by the Department of Student Activities (DSA) at the University of Connecticut. Effective implementation and enforcement of this policy is intended to place primacy on a student’s educational success.

In support of the University’s Academic Mission, if a student is determined to be ineligible pursuant of this policy, the Department of Student Activities reserves the right to limit that student’s leadership in a Tier III Student Organization or within the programs and initiatives under its purview.

II. Definitions

‘Program and Initiative’ shall mean any experience, service initiative, leadership involvement program, or other initiative (paid or unpaid) involving students supported or co-sponsored by the Department of Student Activities.

• See Appendix A for a detailed list of Programs & Initiatives subject to this policy for the current academic year – beginning with the eligibility of student leader seekers.
• NOTE: DSA programs and initiatives may have academic eligibility policies that supersede this policy when those policies’ academic

‘Tier III Student Organization’shall mean those student organizations supported by student fees with high visibility on campus, high accountability to a large constituency of students, moderate to high-risk activities, regular interaction with University staff, and reliance on the University for funding, financial support, facilities, and event planning support.

• See Appendix B for a detailed list of Tier III Organizations and applicable Student Leader positions subject to this policy for the current academic year – beginning with the eligibility of office seekers.
• NOTE: This policy supersedes any academic eligibility policies implemented by a Tier III organization.

Student Leaders’ for the purpose of this policy, shall mean:

• A student within a Tier III Organization who has been elected or appointed to serve in a leadership position, including but not limited to, executive officers, board members, committee chairs, and department heads;

Any student leader/volunteer within a DSA program and initiative whose responsibilities include the supervision or direction of other students (University or otherwise) as it relates to a department program or initiative; or any student leader/volunteer who has primary/significant responsibilities related to a department program or initiative.

• ‘Ineligible’ shall mean not meeting nor fulfilling the minimum eligibility requirements set forth in Section III.
• ‘Academic Notice’ shall mean any academic status deemed not in good standing as determined by the University Senate By-Laws [Section II.E.13].

III. Minimum Eligibility Requirements

1. Enrollment Status
   1. Student leaders must be currently enrolled at the UConn Storrs campus and have their ‘General University Fee’ paid.Student organization leaders must pay the respective group fee of the organization they are seeking or holding office.
2. Academic Status
   • All student leaders must remain in good academic standing, based on their semester grade point average and cumulative grade point average, during the time they are holding or seeking to hold a student leadership position as defined in Appendix A and Appendix B.
   • A student leader on ‘Academic Notice’ with the University will be deemed Ineligible to hold their position.Ineligible students will not be able to hold their position without approval granted through the Appeals Process set forth in Section IV.
3. Subject to Dismissal
   • Any student who is determined to be ‘Subject to Dismissal’ by the University is not eligible to seek or hold a leadership position as defined in this policy. A student leader holding this academic status is not eligible for the Appeals Process set forth in Section IV.

IV. Ineligibility & Appeals

1. Grade Checks
   • Tier III Organizations Only: Grade checks will also be reviewed based on due dates of applications for seeking positions.
   • The Department of Student Activities will periodically commence grade checks and review the academic status of student leaders based on the University’s end of the semester calendar.
2. Ineligibility Notification
   • Students found to be ineligible will be sent an e-mail to their University e-mail address, notifying them of their ineligibility status and, if applicable, information about the appeals process (academic notice only).Student’s respective advisor or supervisor will be notified about their ineligibility status as well.
     • Student’s respective advisor or supervisor will be notified about their ineligibility status as well.
   • Students who choose not to appeal or who are not eligible to appeal, must notify their organization or program to resign from their position within one week of the original notification e-mail send date.
     • If the student is unable to do so within one week of the original notification e-mail date, their advisor will notify the organization or program of the student’s inability to serve in the position. The reason will not be disclosed.
3. An Appeal
   • The appeal process has been established to allow a student deemed ineligible with the opportunity to have the circumstances affecting their status reviewed and considered.
     • The committee reviews every appeal on a case-by-case basis.
     • The standard to have an appeal upheld, resulting in a student being deemed eligible, is not concrete and may vary depending on individual circumstances and appeal materials.
   • Students who anticipate that they will be ineligible to seek or hold an office may initiate the appeals process prior to receiving a notification from the Department of Student Activities.
     • LINK: https://studentactivities.uconn.edu/student-leader-eligibility-appeal/
4. The Appeals Committee
   • Professional staff members may not serve on the committee for which the student appealing is part of their respective program, initiative, or student organization.
   • The Committee is comprised of 3-4 DSA professional staff members, including 1 chair member.
   • Each DSA area has at least one professional staff member able to serve on a committee.

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Appendix A- Programs & Initiatives

Office:	Program, Initiative, or Position(s):
Community Outreach (CO)	Student Coordinators Trip Directors Assistant Trip Directors Program Directors Assistant Program Directors Site Managers Team Leaders Transportation Managers
Business Affairs	Banking Services Lead Student
Leadership & Organizational Development (LOD)	Leadership Legacy Students
Major Events & Programs (MEPS)	Late Night Captains Spirit, Pride, & Tradition (SPT)

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Appendix B- Tier III Organization Student Leader Positions Subject to the Eligibility Policy