Student Leadership and Involvement News Blog

Category: Registered Student Organizations

October RSO Officer Monthly Email

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Update links to Social Media on Involvement Link

During RSO Re-registration, we came across many links on RSO Involvement Link pages that were broken or led to unused social media accounts. Please check the links on your RSO homepage to make sure they are still up to date. This is especially important if you need to update your Instagram account to meet the new branding standards. Updating your Instagram may have changed the URL to your page. You can update these links on the “About” tab on your RSO homepage.

New RSO Policy – Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity

As we navigate the midterm election season, we want to ensure all RSOs have clear guidance on how to participate in the political process lawfully and in accordance with state regulations. To provide greater clarity, we are introducing a new Registered Student Organization Policy on the “Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity,” effective immediately. All organizations are encouraged to review the full policy to ensure compliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. 

Posting Matrix and Procedure Reminder

Make sure to review the Posting and Digital Displays Procedures before distributing materials in the residence halls. These guidelines outline where and how posters can be displayed to keep campus signage organized and consistent.

Please note that the Posting Matrix has been updated. The total number of posters on campus is 29. The residence halls need 65 to get one for each of the RAs to get them in all the halls. Posters that are going in the residence halls must include the Equal Opportunity tagline.

Upcoming HuskyLEADs

Executive Delegation

Great leaders know they can’t do everything on their own. In this session, you’ll learn how to delegate with purpose by matching responsibilities to individual strengths, providing the right level of support, and following up for success. You’ll leave with practical techniques you can immediately apply to your organizations and leadership roles.

  • Thursday, October 29th from 4:00-5:00 PM
  • Location: Admin Building 220 (Career Services)

Communicating With Purpose

In this interactive workshop, you will explore how your intersectional standpoint, experiences, values, and identity form the foundation of your unique strengths as a speaker. Discover how public speaking is an embodied, communicative, and addressed action, and learn to adapt effectively to your speaking situation. Through hands-on activities, including a Speaker Strengths Inventory and values selection exercise, you will unlock the key to impactful storytelling by connecting who you are with what you value most.

  • Thursday, November 5th from 4:00-5:00 PM
  • Location: Chemical Sci 102

LeaderShape Institute

The LeaderShape Institute is a 4-day retreat to help you grow in your leadership. The Institute challenges participants to lead with integrity while working towards a vision grounded in their deepest values. You can register for LeaderShape Institute here! The priority application deadline is November 1st at 11:59 PM.

The LeaderShape Institute will take place from January 6th-9th at the Ford Center.

Blue Key RSO Winter Carnival Email List

Blue Key has published an updated rulebook for Winter Carnival 2027. If your RSO participates in Winter Carnival events and wants to receive email updates from Blue Key, please email Blue Key at bksecretary@mtu.edu.

It pays to be engaged!

Congratulations to the Huskies Pep Band and Mining Games at MTU for winning our RSO Plaidurday Challenge! The Huskies Pep Band won $150 for having the most members at the photo, and Mining Games at MTU won $150 for having the highest percentage of their members at the photo. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Help Your Organization Win $100 

It’s an election year, and we want every eligible Husky to vote! To get ready, we are turning voter preparation into a friendly student organization competition. 

Two different Registered Student Organizations will each win $100 in funding*:

  1. The group with the highest total number of members who submit a vote plan
  2. The group with the highest proportion of members who submit a vote plan

All plans submitted between the start of the semester and Sunday, November 1 will be counted. Submit your plan today and then encourage your RSO members to do so as well!

Membership will be verified against your roster on Involvement Link, and your active student membership count (which is pulled from Involvement Link) will be used to calculate the proportion of membership. Make sure your roster is up to date on Involvement Link to maximize your chances of winning!

*Funding will be made available in an RSO donation account on Involvement Link. Groups will receive instructions on how to utilize these funds after they have been awarded. They can be used for any university-permitted organizational expenses. 

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RSO Policy Update: Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity

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As we navigate the midterm election season, we want to ensure all Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) have clear guidance on how to participate in the political process lawfully and in accordance with state regulations. To provide greater clarity, we are introducing a new Registered Student Organization Policy on the “Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity,” effective immediately.

As a public state university, Michigan Tech is strictly regulated by state law—specifically Section 57 of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCL § 169.257). Under state law, public institutions and individuals acting on their behalf are prohibited from using public funds, property, facilities, or resources to support, oppose, or advocate for political candidates or ballot questions.

Because registered student organizations benefit from privileged use of campus resources, they must adhere to these state regulations when utilizing that privileged access. 

Prohibited Use of Institutional Resources 

Student organizations may not use any of the following institutional resources for campaign advocacy, candidate endorsement, fundraising for candidates or PACs, or ballot initiative action:

  1. Financial Resources: Student Activity Fee allocations, departmental funding, Michigan Tech Fund donations, or any funds maintained in university-administered accounts.
  2. Digital & IT Infrastructure: MTU-hosted email addresses, university mailing lists/listservs, official RSO web pages hosted on MTU servers, campus digital signboards, or university-managed platforms (e.g., Involvement Link, GivePulse).
  3. Physical Facilities & Property: Campus room usage, promotional tables, or university grounds for candidate or ballot related campaign operations or events.
  4. Supplies & Equipment: University computers, printers, paper, office supplies, signage materials, AV equipment, or university-owned vehicles.
  5. Institutional Branding: Use of Michigan Tech logos, trademarks, wordmarks, or official mascot imagery.

Allowable Facilities Usage & Non-Partisan Activities

  • Fair-Market Rentals: RSOs or external political campaigns may reserve campus physical facilities or equipment only through standard external-rental procedures at fair market value, subject to equal-access rules available to the general public. All rental fees and related costs must be paid using private, non-university funds.
  • Non-Partisan Civic Engagement: RSOs may use university facilities and digital platforms in accordance with standard scheduling procedures to conduct non-partisan voter registration drives, neutral candidate forums/debates (where all qualified candidates are invited), or get-out-the-vote efforts, provided no candidate, political party, or ballot position is endorsed or favored.

Improper use of university resources for campaign activity puts both the university and your organization at risk. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct and/or individual/organizational legal fines under state law.

We ask that student leaders and advisors review the full policy to ensure your planned activities for the year remain compliant. As a reminder, students and leaders are always free to participate in campaign activities in their individual capacities using personal time, personal non-mtu email addresses, private funds, and non-university equipment.

If you have questions about whether a planned event or activity complies with state law and university policy, please reach out to the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at rso@mtu.edu or visit us in the Memorial Union Building, room 112.

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to keeping our campus community active, engaged, and compliant.

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RSO Officer September Email

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RSO Re-registration

The first RSO Re-registration date is coming up. All officer training and the re-registration form must be completed by September 25, 2026 by 5:00 PM. Failure to complete your training on time will result in a decrease in your organization’s budget for this academic year and potential loss of privileges granted to registered groups. Please see the schedule below

  • You will receive 100% of your allocation if registered by 09/25/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 90% of your allocation if registered by 10/2/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 75% of your allocation if registered by 10/9/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 0% of your allocation if registered after 10/16/26 at 5pm.
  • You will lose all funding and RSO status if not registered by 10/16/26 at 5pm.

With K-Day just past and homecoming in full swing, we are a little slow on updating the RSO Re-registration document. If you completed the training and don’t see it updated right away, that is why. As things slow down, we will be more diligent in updating the form and approving re-registration forms regularly. Thank you for your patience. 

Plaidurday RSO Challenge

RSOs, it’s time to show off your plaid! Join us for a Plaidurday photo at the Houghton High School football field on Friday, October 2, and compete for a share of $300 in prizes.

  • Most members at the photo: $150
  • Highest percentage of members at the photo: $150
  • Ties will result in the prize being split between the winning RSOs.

Prize money will be added to the winning RSO’s Involvement Link donation account and can be used for organization activities, travel, and other eligible expenses.

The photo is at 1:30 p.m. at the Houghton High School football field. Free shuttles will leave Cliff Drive behind the Rozsa Center at 12:40 and 1:05 p.m., with rides back to campus after the photo.

Make sure your Involvement Link roster is up to date! We’ll use your roster to verify the competition results, so add new members and remove inactive members before Plaidurday.

Get your members together and help us fill Houghton with plaid!

Potato Festival

The City of Houghton, in partnership with the Carnegie Museum, is bringing back the Potato Festival on October 24, 2026! The festival will celebrate all the fun, creative, and surprising things you can do with potatoes—from potato batteries to unique food creations and everything in between.

Student organizations are invited to get involved! If your group has a fun potato-themed project, activity, demonstration, or showcase idea, we’d love to hear it. There are no bad ideas, so get creative!

Interested? Email Danielle Perkowitz at danielle@cityofhoughton.com to get involved!

SDC RSO Reservations

If your RSO plans to reserve space in the SDC, please follow these guidelines:

  • Reservations must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.
  • Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled reservation.
  • Student organizations that fail to provide at least 48 hours’ notice and do not use their reserved facility will be subject to the SDC cancellation/no-show policy:
    • First No-Show: Written warning issued to the organization.
    • Second No-Show: Loss of facility reservation privileges for two weeks.
    • Third No-Show: Loss of facility reservation privileges for the remainder of the semester.
  • All participants (both student and non-student)  must check in with facility staff before accessing the facility.

Membership and Facility Access

All non-student members of a student organization must have a valid SDC or Gates membership, punch pass, or day pass to access and use any indoor or outdoor Athletics & Recreation facilities.

Again, please take a moment to review the policies and procedures. Remember to submit all facility requests through our online reservation system.

Make a Difference Day

Make a Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others—a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. This annual tradition at Michigan Tech started as a student’s LeaderShape vision in fall of 2004 and has continued to be our largest day of service each year. The entire Michigan Tech community is invited to participate! 

Make a Difference Day is on Saturday, October 17th, starting with volunteer check-in at 9:30 AM in the MUB Commons, where each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt and bagel.

Register here for Make a Difference Day. Your RSO can volunteer at a site together! If you’re participating with a group, make sure everyone still registers individually. Volunteer registration closes October 11 at 11:59 PM.

Parents Fund Committee Needs a Student or Two!

The Tech Parents Annual Fund was created to support student organizations and enhance the student experience at Michigan Tech. The fund helps support speakers and programs, non-alcoholic social and community events, university traditions like K-Day and Winter Carnival, professional development and conference travel, competitions, and other events that encourage student involvement and connection on campus. You can learn more about the fund on the Parents Fund webpage.

We’re looking for 1–2 students to join the Parents Fund Committee! Committee members help review requests for funding. The committee meets whenever there is a request, so there are no regular meetings. If you’re interested in serving on the committee, please contact Rob Bishop at rmbishop@mtu.edu.

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RSO Officer August Email

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K-Day Registration

K-Day is just around the corner on September 11th, and registration is still open! K-Day is an annual student involvement fair held at Chassell Centennial Park with food, fun, and music! Typically 3500-4000 students come out for this event. This is a fantastic chance for your organization to showcase what you have to offer and attract new members.

Use this link to sign up to table at K-Day. Please have your organization’s activity finalized before registering. Registration closes September 4th but space is limited so do not delay! You can see which RSOs have already signed up for K-Day here.

RSO Re-Registration

RSO Re-registration is in full swing. As a quick reminder, Registered Student Organizations are required to re-register their organization to maintain their registered status. Required officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Advisor) must complete the training on Canvas. Your organization’s president must also complete the re-registration form on Involvement Link. More specific information can be found on the SLI Blog and the RSO Officer or Advisor Canvas training.

RSO Constitution Audit
RSOs are required to audit their constitution every three years. RSOs starting with A-E are just wrapping up their audits. For the 26-27 academic year, all RSOs starting with F-O are required to audit their constitution to ensure it is up to date with SLI’s current RSO Constitution Requirements. You will be receiving an email from an SLI staff member with more information at the beginning of the school year.

It is important to note that you must complete your constitution audit before we will let you re-register your student organization. All A-E RSOs must complete their audit before the end of RSO Re-registration this September or risk losing their RSO status. All F-O RSOs will need to complete their audits before the end of RSO Registration fall of 2027. You can check on the status of your RSO Constitution Audit here.

HuskyEats Concessions

HuskyEats concessions is looking for any interested RSO who would like to work concessions during athletic events. They have opportunities for one org every home football game, and up to four orgs every home hockey game. The org is paid $300 for every game that they are working in the concession stand, and they request that at least 3 students from the org show up. If this is something your organization may be interested in, please email Abby  Newman (Abby.Newman@compass-usa.com) for more information. 

MUB 106 Conference Table Reservations
MUB 106 has several conference tables for RSOs to use. We have created a reservation system for them so you can guarantee a table for your meeting. You can reserve the tables using the “add rooms” option on a Google Calendar Event. The MUB-106 Large Conference Table can easily fit 12 people. The MUB-106 Small Committee Table can easily fit 4-6 people. Both tables have projecting options. Please note: the tables are not in private rooms and are not advised to use for sensitive information.

Homecoming

Homecoming is coming very quickly this year. Team registration opens Monday, August 24 at 8:00 AM, and closes Wednesday, September 9th at 11:59 PM. At least one representative from every registered Homecoming team must attend the Team Information Session on Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 PM in the MUB Alumni Lounge. Attendance is required for team eligibility. More information on Homecoming activities can be found on our website.

Tabling in the MUB Commons is free for Registered Student Organizations! 

The MUB can provide a table for your group. Simply email mubrooms@mtu.edu to ask about available dates and times. RSOs can also reserve meeting and event space in the MUB at no cost. To request a space, log in to 25Live with your Michigan Tech SSO at https://25live.collegenet.com/pro/mtu, or email mubrooms@mtu.edu and they’ll be happy to help. Whether you’re planning a meeting, hosting an event, or just looking to get your organization in front of more students, they’d love to have you in the MUB!

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RSO Re-registration is now open!

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RSO Re-registration is now open!

To complete your re-registration:

  1. All required officers and advisors must complete the training course on Canvas.
  2. The president must fill out the re-registration form on Involvement Link. Instructions for filling out the form can be found here. Some topics on the form includes:
    1. Making sure your RSO logo and social media accounts are compliant with UMC’s logo and branding guidelines?
    2. Making sure your RSO’s inventory listed on Involvement Link is up to date
    3. Providing your RSO’s banking and taxes information

If you are no longer an RSO officer, please communicate with your RSO’s president to submit an E-Board Position Update Form to notify us of any changes.

Everyone should have been added to the new Canvas training course. If you were not added, please reach out to rso@mtu.edu. Everyone must complete the training during the re-registration process; even if you have completed the training before. If you hold multiple officer positions, you must only complete the training once. If you have additional officers you would like to add to the officer training, they can use this link to sign up for the course: https://mtu.instructure.com/enroll/TCYD7M 

All officer training and the re-registration form must be completed by September 25, 2026 by 5:00 PM. Failure to complete your training on time will result in a decrease in your organization’s budget for this academic year and potential loss of privileges granted to registered groups. Please see the schedule below

  • You will receive 100% of your allocation if registered by 09/25/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 90% of your allocation if registered by 10/2/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 75% of your allocation if registered by 10/9/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 0% of your allocation if registered after 10/16/26 at 5pm.
  • You will lose all funding and RSO status if not registered by 10/16/26 at 5pm.

You can monitor the progress of your re-registration status on our Re-registration Google Sheet. This document is updated periodically. Any green box in an officer position means they have completed the Canvas Training. Any red box means the officer has not yet completed training. If your RSO has a yellow box in one of the officer positions, that means that we do not have an officer listed for your group. You will need to fill that position before your re-registration can be completed.

If you have any questions or concerns about the RSO registration process, training, or updating the RSO’s officer roster, please email Student Leadership and Involvement at rso@mtu.edu, stop by the office in MUB 112, or call us at 906-487-1963.

Have a great day,

Student Leadership and Involvement

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RSO Re-registration is Starting Soon!

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Hello,

We hope you’ve had a fantastic summer. RSO Re-registration is just around the corner and I wanted to make sure your RSO is ready. Please make sure your officers listed on Involvement Link are up to date!

RSO Re-Registration and Training

Every year, Registered Student Organizations are required to re-register their organization to maintain their registered status. Re-registration opens August 3rd at 9:00 AM. Required officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Advisor) must complete the training on Canvas. Your organization’s president must also complete the re-registration form on Involvement Link. All officer training and the re-registration form must be completed by September 25, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Failure to complete your training on time will result in a decrease in your organization’s budget for this academic year and a potential loss of RSO status . Please see the schedule below:

  • You will receive 100% of your allocation if registered by 09/25/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 90% of your allocation if registered by 10/2/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 75% of your allocation if registered by 10/9/26 at 5pm.
  • You will receive 0% of your allocation if registered after 10/16/26 at 5pm.
  • You will lose all funding and RSO status if not registered by 10/16/26 at 5pm.

Please note: All officers and advisors will be removed from the Canvas training on July 27th, so the training can be updated and old officers removed. All current officers and advisors will be re-added to the new training at the beginning of re-registration. Every officer and advisor must complete the training every year during Re-registration.

Update Officers on Involvement Link

As we approach RSO Re-registration, it’s crucial to update your organization’s officers on Involvement Link. If the officers or advisors are not accurate on Involvement Link, the wrong people will get your re-registration information and training. To update your officers or advisors on Involvement link, presidents are required to fill out our E-Board Position Update Form.

K-Day Registration

K-Day registration is still open! The deadline to register for K-Day is September 4th at noon. We fully anticipate all our spots to be filled, so do not delay – register today! K-Day will be held on September 11th from 1:00-5:00 PM at Chassell Centennial Park.

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April RSO Officer Email

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Orientation and Welcome Week event submission reminder

Each year, Registered Student Organizations are invited to host events during Orientation Week and Welcome Week in order to introduce themselves to the campus community and welcome their peers to campus. The audience for Orientation Week is primarily first-year students, while events for Welcome Week should be designed for any member of the student body. This year:

  • O-Week is August 23rd-28th
  • Welcome Week is August 29th-September 5th

You must complete this form by April 13th in order to request to host an event during either week. Events planned through this form will be included in official Orientation or Welcome Week promotional materials. 

K-Day Registration Now Open

K-Day is just around the corner on September 11th, and registration is now open! K-Day is an annual student involvement fair held at Chassell Centennial Park with food, fun, and music! Typically 3500-4000 students come out for this event. This is a fantastic chance for your organization to showcase what you have to offer and attract new members.

Use this link to sign up to table at K-Day. Please have your organization’s activity finalized before registering. Registration closes September 4th but space is limited so do not delay!

RSO Re-Registration

Every year, Registered Student Organizations are required to re-register their organization to maintain their registered status. Re-registration opens August 10th at 9:00 AM. Required officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Advisor) must complete the training on Canvas. Your organization’s president must also complete the re-registration form on Involvement Link. All officer training and the re-registration form must be completed by September 25, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Failure to complete your training on time will result in a decrease in your organization’s budget for this academic year and a potential loss of privileges granted to registered groups. Please see the schedule below:

You will receive 100% of your allocation if registered by 09/25/26 at 5pm.

You will receive 90% of your allocation if registered by 10/2/26 at 5pm.

You will receive 75% of your allocation if registered by 10/9/26 at 5pm.

You will receive 0% of your allocation if registered after 10/16/26 at 5pm.

You will lose all funding and RSO status if not registered by 10/16/26 at 5pm.

Please note: All officers and advisors will be removed from the Canvas training before Re-registration, so the training can be updated and old officers removed. All current officers and advisors will be re-added to the new training at the beginning of re-registration. Every officer and advisor must complete the training every year during Re-registration.

Update Officers on Involvement Link

As we approach RSO Re-registration, it’s crucial to update your organization’s officers on Involvement Link. If the officers or advisors are not accurate on Involvement Link, the wrong people will get your re-registration information and training. To update your officers or advisors on Involvement link, presidents are required to fill out our E-Board Position Update Form.

Please note: Only required officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary, Advisor) need to be added through the form. Organization-created positions can be updated directly on Involvement Link.

Advisor Appreciation Day – April 21st

April 21st is National Advisor Appreciation Day! In recognition of your dedicated advisors, we would like to invite you to pick up a thank you card (or multiple if you have multiple advisors!) from MUB 106 on top of the mailboxes to be signed by your organization’s members or executive board. This is an opportunity for you to express your gratitude for the guidance and support your advisors provide.

Cards can be returned to us in MUB 112 to be mailed or we invite you to deliver them in person! We encourage each of you to take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate your advisor for their commitment to your RSO.

Other Important Information

  • Purchase Requests for this fiscal year are due by April 12th! If you anticipate needing to make purchases after that date, but before the start of the school year, you must complete the summer RSO spending form. 
  • Check your MUB 106 mailbox! ALL ORGS have a mailbox! Please clean out your mailbox before leaving for the summer.

RSO Memories/Testimonials

Do you have a favorite memory or a positive story from your time with your RSO? We would love to hear it! Share your experience using our RSO Memories/Testimonial Form. Your submission may even be featured on our website and social media!

Prep for Recruitment Now!

Summer orientation sessions are fast approaching! That means incoming students are going to be scrolling on Involvement Link to learn about all the organizations Michigan Tech has to offer. 

Before you leave for the semester, don’t forget to freshen up your about page. Our top three suggestions are:

  1. Lead with your purpose, but clarify your process! Many “about” pages only describe the organization. That’s great, but many students’ next question is how to join. Let them know the best way to get on the mailing list, added to the roster, or when they can join you for your next event!
  2. Add links to your socials or post some pictures, so students know what it looks like to be a member of your organization. 
  3. Make sure your main contact email is up to date and able to receive communications. Some groups put an organization list-serv, but it is only set up for internal communications. Make sure interested students can contact you if they want to learn more!

If you want a bonus fourth suggestion, add a bit of news! How would you summarize the year, what are your goals for next year, etc. This would be a great way to keep a written and public record of your organization’s happenings. 

The MUB has space for your RSO! 

As you begin planning events and meetings for next semester, this is a friendly reminder that Memorial Union Building (MUB) spaces are available to reserve now. In most cases, MUB spaces can be reserved up to one year in advance. To submit a room request, please use the MUB reservation request page here. Not sure how to fill out the form? Follow this guide! Have questions? Email mubrooms@mtu.edu for support! If you have any further questions or need additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team or stop by during our office hours. Thank you, the MUB looks forward to hosting your organization! 

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Completing Your RSO Officer & Advisor Training – FAQ’s

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It’s time for our yearly Registered Student Organization Officer and Advisor Training! Training includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Advisor. You have been added to a training path in Involvement Link made especially for your position. 
This training will guide you through the various expectations, policies, requirements, resources, and general operating standards of Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at Michigan Tech.
You are required to complete all training items by Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 at 5 pm, in order for your RSO to complete the yearly re-registration process. When you have completed all training items, make sure you notify your RSO’s president so that they may move forward with RSO re-registration.  

Detailed Instructions

1. Navigate to https://www.involvement.mtu.edu/involvement/paths. If necessary, Log in using your MTU ISO.

2. Scroll down to the list of training modules and click “Expand All” to reveal the required training items

3. In each section of training, there will be a video to watch along with additional information which may appear after clicking “READ MORE”. The information below the video will include vital information, links, and instructions you will need to complete your training.

4. When you have completed watching each video, make sure you click the “Mark Complete” button at the bottom of the section, enter the date, and the requested reflection, and then be sure to click “Submit”. This will submit your progress to Student Leadership & Involvement and will make sure that you get credit for each section. You will need to click this button on all training items where it appears.

5. The final section, Training Confirmation, requires you to click on “Report Experience” to complete. When using this tool, you will be prompted to complete the RSO Training Acknowledgement Form.

6. At the bottom of the RSO Training Acknowledgement Form, please do not change the options in the Path section “Please select any Path Items you believe this Experience fulfills:” as this will auto-generate the appropriate response – Training Confirmation

7. When complete, click “Submit” 

8. It will be necessary for you to wait for your submission to be approved by Student Leadership & Involvement before your training will be marked as 100% complete. Until it is approved by SLI, you will see a green hourglass next to the appropriate training item.

9. Within 1-2 business days, Student Leadership & Involvement will approve your submissions or return them for revision. When your training progress is listed at 100% please email your RSO’s president to let them know they may proceed with re-registration. If you are the President, make sure your other Officers complete their training and then proceed with re-registration.

FAQ’s

When is the deadline to complete training? – Thursday, September 29 at 5:00 PM. But we encourage you to complete your training early to avoid any potential complications with RSO re-registration.

I completed all of the sections but my progress bar does not say 100% complete, what’s up with that? – If you just finished, don’t worry! It will take the SLI staff a couple business days to check all of the progress that you made. If it has already been a couple business days, shoot us a message at rso@mtu.edu and let us know so we can look into it.

I’m the President of my RSO and I submitted my org re-registration but it hasn’t been approved, why? – Often, the biggest reason that we are unable to approve RSO re-registration is because all of the officers and advisor have yet to finish their training. Confirm with them that they are 100%!

I’m the President of my RSO, but I’m also the secretary of another org, why do I have to take all of these trainings? – Don’t worry! If you are the President, you do not have to take any other training! If you hold more than one officer position in general, you only need to complete one officer training. Please complete the training according to this priority order: President, Treasurer, Vice President, Secretary.

We haven’t heard from our Advisor and we want to complete our re-registration, what should we do? – Let us know right away by emailing rso@mtu.edu so we can start helping you find a new advisor… don’t wait until the deadline to tell us!

I’m signed up for the Secretary training, but I’m the Vice President, now what? – First, make sure your RSO Roster lists you as the correct position. If it does not, make sure that you, your primary contact, or your president updates it RIGHT AWAY! Next, shoot us an email at rso@mtu.edu and let us know of the error so we can move you into the correct training before you complete any sections that you may not have to.

I’m having other issues with training that aren’t addressed here, what should I do? – We are sorry to hear that! You can either email rso@mtu.edu, stop by MUB 112, or call 906-487-1963 and let us know what your issue is so we can assist.

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10 Reason’s Why You Should Join a Student Organization

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1. It’s fun!

One of the most important reasons to join a registered student organization (RSO) is to have fun! Meeting new people, making new friends, trying new things, and participating in activities will help you make the most of your Michigan Tech experience. What could possibly be better?

2. It looks great on a resume.

It’s true, it’s a competitive world out there. Your future employers will be extremely excited to hire someone who has had a great deal of experience and been relatively active throughout their college career, as opposed to someone who has simply gone to class. Being involved will ultimately make you a stronger and more well-rounded candidate for internships, co-ops, graduate schools, job opportunities, etc.

3. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people.

Joining an RSO gives you a convenient way to meet and spend time with other people–many of whom will likely share similar interests, values, and goals. This allows you to form lifelong friendships and expand your social circle, thereby placing you in closer contact with faculty/staff, members of the community, fellow students, and even possible new lifelong friends!

4. It helps to build community.

Since a lot of Michigan Tech students live quite far away from their family and friends back home, they may feel homesick at school. Getting involved enables you to re-establish a sense of belonging, create a chosen family, form an additional circle of friends, and will no doubt ease the transition from high school to college.

5. It’s an awesome way to develop crucial leadership skills.

Participating in a student organization not only teaches you leadership skills but also helps you broaden and improve those you already have. You’ll learn the best way to communicate with both individuals and large groups, and you’ll gain emotional intelligence as you develop new relationships. And you will be surprised to discover all kinds of fascinating new things about yourself by being involved in group activities and events. The management skills you learn as a result will be highly useful in the future when you must venture out into the real world and begin the ever-dreaded job search.

6. It allows you to discover your passions, strengths, and talents.

Joining an RSO presents many opportunities to learn more about yourself, your goals, your passions, and your strengths. You can also find out what you’re good at, what you enjoy (or what you don’t), whether that’s leading, event planning, generating ideas, or serving others. This self-awareness will be beneficial in your future. These can provide you with a sense of self-worth, lead you in new and unexpected directions, and–most importantly–help you succeed in life.

7. It’s the perfect way to maximize learning.

Remember that college is all about learning new information (about yourself, about others, about the world, and about life in general), yet oftentimes the best learning happens outside of the typical classroom setting. Being part of an organization allows you to put all of those things you’ve been learning in class to the test in real-world situations. You’ll get to learn what works and what doesn’t, and you’ll be able to take that knowledge back to the classroom, and then, of course, along with you in a future career. 

8. You’ll learn how to engage with diverse groups of people.

Chances are, the RSO you choose to participate in will include a diverse group of people — you’ll be faced with the same situation in the working world! Learning how different people respond and react to certain situations will help you develop your skills in presenting and implementing ideas, creating inclusive environments, and become a more effective leader.

9. You’ll get a break from your studies.

Concentrating on schoolwork is obviously important during a graduate program, but giving your mind a break is necessary (and beneficial). While taking part in your RSO, you’ll be able to socialize with like-minded individuals and actually learn as much from them as you would your schoolwork. And everyone needs a break once in a while–especially college students who are constantly swamped with school work. Getting involved is the perfect way for you to take some time out of your busy day to focus on hobbies, passions, or other activities.

10. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork.

Knowing how to work well with a team is an essential skill for any career. Being in an RSO teaches you how to do this by putting you in situations where you are required to take advice from others, as well as give your own.

So what are you waiting for???

Michigan Tech is full of wonderful opportunities for students to get involved, but RSO’s might just be the best option (in our opinion!). Joining an RSO and getting involved will not only enhance your overall Michigan Tech experience but will also introduce you to a world of endless opportunities. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and explore all the incredible things our awesome RSO’s has to offer! You can start by checking out our RSO’s on Involvement Link!

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ADVISOR APPRECIATION MONTH – April

Published

Thank you to our Student Organization Advisors!

We highly value the work that our faculty and staff do with our many registered student organizations (RSO), and we want to take some time to celebrate them and recognize how important they are.

All of our RSO’s must have an advisor who is a full-time faculty/staff member at Michigan Technological University – meaning we have faculty and staff helping to support all 240+ of our organizations!

The role of the advisor may or may not be spelled out in the organization’s constitution (and it does vary from organization to organization), but there are some traits and practices which we know are important for our student leaders to be as successful as possible within their organizations. First and foremost, our advisors serve as educators who act in accordance with the goals and values of their student org and Michigan Tech. Advisors must have knowledge and skills which enable them to empower students within the group they advise. Advisors must also role model ethical behavior and, when appropriate, provide direction to organizations to assist them in their successes.

Advising a student organization can be a rewarding experience, but can also be nerve-wracking. Enthusiastic new advisors can easily fall into the trap of over-advising, or micromanaging, a student group. Conversely, well-meaning advisors can adopt a “hands-off” attitude which can significantly lower the morale and productivity of a student group. As advisors, we often search for balance: we struggle to balance the demands of our “job” with the demands of this “outside” influence. It is our hope that our office can help support you balance that task.

At the end of the day, our students are blessed to have the support and guidance of our talented faculty and staff. Because of your support, our students accomplish great things, challenge each other, build networks, meet friends, create memories, and gain skills long after they leave Tech. We appreciate you and hope that you get just as much out of the advising experience as our students do.

Being an advisor provides a multitude of benefits for faculty and staff:

  • A unique opportunity to get to know and work with students outside of the classroom or office
  • The reward of watching the group develop to its fullest potential
  • The reward of watching students develop their individual skills and talents
  • The chance to informally share your knowledge and expertise on relevant topics
  • An opportunity to feel satisfaction and accomplishment through making a special contribution to a particular group of students
  • The chance for service to students, the University, and the larger community

If you are not currently an advisor and you’d like to volunteer, please feel free to check out our list of organizations on Involvement Link and send an email to rso@mtu.edu.

The Student Leadership & Involvement office is here to serve as a resource to you and to answer your questions or concerns. Contact us with questions, and be sure to look at the resources available on our website.

Thank you for all you do with our student organizations!

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