The Associated Student Government (ASG) rescinded the recognized student organization status of 20 campus organizations during their first meeting of the academic year on Sept. 1. Among these organizations were the ESU Collegiate Republicans, Emporia State University Young Democrats and the Student Veterans Association of ESU.
The RSOs “failed to fulfill their RSO requirements,” according to SB 23001. The bill passed with a 19-0-2 vote.
Each organization has a different reason for having their status rescinded, according to ASG vice president and senior psychology major Hailey Kisner. These reasons included not getting their service hours, not attending All Things RSO or not filling out the re-registration form.
“However, if they still have a passion and desire to be an RSO, my position is I’m still happy to support them,” Kisner said.
Emporia State University Young Democrats, recently rebranded as ESU College Democrats, purposefully chose not to complete the re-registration form. The organization has been on campus since at least 1969, according to vice president Raiden Gonzales.
“We are currently looking at other options on how to reach out to students instead of seeking RSO status,” Gonzales said. “In my current view, I think the requirements for students to even have an organization are a little bit much.”
Gonzales says the community service hour requirements are “a little too much to do” for smaller organizations. He also said that frequent changes in leadership positions and students not wanting to take on those positions are the reason behind a “decline in student organizations.”
“ASG needs to revisit those policies and (revise) those,” Gonzales said.
College Democrats is looking to expand into the Emporia community and is currently holding meetings at the Lyon County Democratic Headquarters, 915 Commercial St.
Organizations that are looking to be re-recognized will need to submit an Appendix D from Hornet Central, according to Kisner. If more guidance is needed, they should contact ASG senate operations manager Sofia Dawson.
Concerns were raised during the ASG meeting about RSOs that are continually having to be re-recognized because they are not meeting the requirements every year.
“The position of the student government and student affairs is that we’re in it for the students,” Kisner said. “And we have to understand that students make mistakes and students don’t follow through sometimes but we’re still there to support them.”
During the meeting, ASG also appointed 22 senators, recognized Shelly Gehrke, vice president for enrollment management and student success, as an ASG adviser and passed a resolution supporting first-generation students at ESU. Additionally, ASG passed a bill revising policy so RSOs will meet with their assigned senator to complete Appendix C, rather than with an involvement consultant.
ASG’s next open meeting will be at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 15 in the Memorial Union Skyline Room.
This version of the story was corrected with the updated location of ASG’s next meeting.
