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Student & Campus Life

Student Organization Agreements

There are two different Agreements, one for University Student Organizations (USOs) and one for General Student Organizations (GSOs). Ensure that you are reviewing the one that is associated with the organizations you are a part of.

Agreement for General Student Organizations (GSOs)

AY27

Cornell University (the “University”) recognizes General Student Organizations (GSOs) and provides them with certain benefits and privileges pursuant to the Student Organization Recognition Policy (the “Recognition Policy”). Accordingly, the undersigned officer on behalf of the GSO, represents, acknowledges and agrees as follows:

  1. Compliance with Recognition Policy. The GSO officers have carefully reviewed the Recognition Policy, and the GSO understands and agrees to comply with all the conditions of recognition and requirements to enjoy the benefits of recognition as set forth in the policy. The GSO further understands and agrees that recognition may be withdrawn at any time for non-compliance with the Recognition Policy and that the University may suspend or terminate recognition for the relevant academic year if it, in its sole discretion, determines a student organization has not complied with the necessary requirements to maintain recognition, regardless of whether a disciplinary referral is made to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for misconduct covered under the Student Code of Conduct.
  2. Status and Constitution. The GSO represents that it is either a not-for-profit New York State corporation in good standing with the New York State Department of State or an unincorporated association existing under the laws of New York State pursuant to the GSO's constitution, a copy of the current version of which, and all future amendments, the GSO agrees to keep on file with the Campus Activities Office, a unit of Campus & Community Engagement (CCE), at all times.
  3. Independent of University. The GSO understands and agrees that the University is a New York State not-for-profit education corporation and the GSO is not part of that corporation, but rather exists and operates independently of the University. The GSO is not an agent, servant or employee of the University, but rather is independent and manages its own affairs. The GSO understands and agrees it is not required to enter into this Agreement, and the only result of the GSO failing to acknowledge and agree to comply with the Recognition Policy will be the loss of recognition and the benefits described in that policy.
  4. Taxes. The GSO understands and agrees that it shall not use the University's taxpayer identification number or the University's tax-exempt status in connection with purchases or sales by the GSO, gifts to the GSO, interest or other income of the GSO, or any other activity of the GSO. Gifts can be made to the University and designated for use by the GSO provided that such gifts are provided to further the educational, research, and community service missions of the University. As such the University reserves the right to decide if the use of such gifts are consistent with the University's non-profit educational status. GSOs may work with Campus Activities and/or the Student & Campus Life Business Services Center to set up gift accounts.
  5. Third Party Dealings. The GSO understands and agrees that it shall not hold itself out as being part of, controlled by, or acting on behalf of the University. The GSO shall take affirmative steps in all of its recruitment, business, and other dealings with third parties (including, for example, prospective members and businesses) to explain its relationship with the University. As one of such steps, the GSO shall include the following statement (or another similar statement approved in advance by the University) in the GSO's letters and other such written materials (except intra-university and intra GSO correspondence): "Although this organization has members who are Cornell University students, faculty, or staff, the organization is independent of the University and is responsible for its own contracts, acts or omissions." When engaging in legally binding contracts/agreements on behalf of the organization, the GSO shall include the following statement which shall be initialed and dated by all parties to the contract or other agreement: “[NAME OF ORGANIZATION], the party to this agreement/document, is a general student organization and is neither a unit of Cornell University nor an agent of Cornell University for any purpose. [NAME OF ORGANIZATION] is not authorized to commit Cornell University contractually and therefore this agreement/document does not contain the commitment of and is not in any manner binding upon or enforceable against, Cornell University.”
  6. Liability, Insurance, and Defense. The GSO understands and agrees that the University, the State of New York, and the employees and agents of either will not be liable for any of the GSO's contracts, torts, or other acts or omissions, or those by the GSO's directors, officers, members, staff or activity participants. The GSO understands and agrees that neither it nor its directors, officers, members, staff, or activity participants are protected by the University's or the State of New York's insurance policies or self-insurance plans and that the University and the State will not provide any legal defense for the GSO or any such person in the event of any claim against any of them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the University agrees to facilitate the purchase of an insurance policy to cover the activities of all undergraduate and graduate GSOs which desire the benefits afforded in this agreement. The University makes no guarantee regarding the availability, appropriateness, or completeness of the insurance coverage. In exchange for the University's assistance in procuring insurance, the GSO agrees to name the University on its policy as an additional named insured and to indemnify, hold harmless, and release the University from any claim, act, or omission resulting in bodily injury, property damage or any alleged harm due to the GSO's use of the University name, property, or resources. Further, the insurance shall be considered primary to all other valid and collectible insurance that is available to the University for claims made against the University.
  7. Waiver. The GSO understands and agrees that a failure of the University to enforce any of the provisions of the Recognition Policy or this Recognition Policy Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of that provision or any later breach thereof.

Agreement for University Student Organizations (USOs)

AY27

The advisor to this university student organization (USO), will acknowledge and agree that:

  1. Compliance with Recognition Policy. The university student organization will comply with all the conditions of recognition and requirements to enjoy the benefits of recognition as set forth in the Student Organization Recognition Policy. I further understand and agree that recognition may be withdrawn at any time for non-compliance with the Recognition Policy and that the University may suspend or terminate recognition for the relevant academic year if it, in its sole discretion, determines a student organization has not complied with the necessary requirements to maintain recognition, regardless of whether a disciplinary referral is made to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for misconduct covered under the Student Code of Conduct.
  2. Department or Unit Oversight. The department or unit will oversee and approve all university student organization activities.
  3. Department or Unit Responsibility. The department or unit assumes responsibility, including any potential liability, for activities of the university student organization.
  4. Financial Responsibility. The department or unit may be held financially responsible for damages incurred by the University as a result of the university student organization’s activities.
  5. Advisor Training. I will attend (if required) the annual Campus Activities advisor training for university student organizations.
  6. Continued Eligibility. I further acknowledge and agree that, should I, my department, or unit fail to comply with any of the above conditions, the organization will no longer be eligible for university student organization status and must register as a general student organization (GSO) if it wishes to continue operating at Cornell University.