Club Constitutions & Bylaws

A student organization’s constitution is the foundational document that outlines its purpose, structure, and key operational procedures, such as meetings, elections, and member roles. It ensures clarity, accountability, and consistency across leadership transitions.

If your organization is affiliated with a national body, the national constitution takes precedence over your local one. However, all organizations must also comply with Cornell University policies.

An active constitution is required for annual re-registration. Use the Constitution Template (click here) to create or update your document. The green-highlighted sections in the template are mandatory for recognition at Cornell.

A constitution clarifies your organization’s purpose, outlines its structure, and establishes a foundation for effective operations. It helps members understand how the organization functions and ensures continuity from year to year.

An up-to-date and accurate constitution is required for your organization to remain registered and recognized at Cornell University.

The constitution outlines the core principles, purpose, and foundational structure of your organization. It defines the “what” and “why” and covers key areas such as officer responsibilities, election procedures, and—most importantly—conflict resolution. A strong constitution helps prevent internal disputes and provides a clear path toward achieving the organization’s goals.

Bylaws provide the detailed rules and procedures for day-to-day operations, such as meeting protocols, attendance expectations, officer duties, and general member involvement. Bylaws are more flexible and can be updated as the organization evolves.

No. Only a constitution is required to be a recognized student organization at Cornell. However, some groups choose to create a separate bylaws document to provide more detailed guidance on operations. Bylaws can be helpful for managing larger groups or organizations with more complex structures.

Campus Activities (CA) works with many organizations, especially new ones, to create and update governing documents. We offer advice but do not determine the style of a constitution. A few mandatory items must be included in the organization's governing documents, as outlined in the template link above. Additionally, CA has facilitated many organization meditations when a constitution is not followed as outlined, confusion or contradictions occur, or general disagreement regarding processes outlined in the document. CA's primary goal is always to support student leaders in creating, outlining, and implementing the most equitable process. 

Yes—Cornell University requires specific policy language to be included in your organization’s constitution. These sections ensure compliance with university guidelines and recognition standards.

Please refer to the constitution template for the required language and formatting.