Pace University students on the Brooklyn Bridge, near the New York City campus.
Student Engagement NYC

New Student Organization Recognition Process

Do you want to start an Organization?

The Center for Student Engagement is excited that you're interested in establishing a new Student Organization at Pace University! Up to five new organizations may be recognized each semester, with inactive organizations from the previous year potentially eligible for recognition beyond this limit. To be considered for recognition in Spring 2026, please review the application process details below.

Contact

Gabriella Lester
Assistant Director, Leadership Programs
Email: glester@pace.edu

Process Details

To participate, your group must consist of four undergraduate NYC campus students, each preparing to hold the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These individuals cannot currently serve as executive officers of any recognized Student Organizations, and students can only start one group per semester.

Groups must complete all five steps to be considered for recognition. If a group misses any part of the process, they can resume the remaining steps in the following semester. Groups not selected for recognition after completing steps one to four may reapply the next semester without repeating steps one to three.

The Five Steps of The Application Process

  • Apply for The New Student Organization Interest Application

    The form is due February 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

  • Training One: Nuts & Bolts for Creating a New Student Organization

    This training is mandatory for all four Executive Officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary). The session will cover key topics including SetterSync, the Student Organization Handbook, the process of creating a constitution, and strategies for Recruitment and Retention of members. Attendance is required at one of the two available training sessions.

    • February 3, 2025 | 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
    • February 5, 2025 | 12:10 p.m.–1:10 p.m.

    Training Two: Budget 101

    This training is mandatory for the President and Treasurer to attend, though the Vice President and Secretary are also welcome to participate. The session will focus on creating and managing an organization's budget. Attendance is required at one of the two available training sessions.

    • February 10, 2025 | 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
    • February 12, 2025 | 12:10 p.m.–1:10 p.m.

  • All prospective new student organizations that have completed Steps one and two are required to attend the Workshop Night. Attendance is mandatory for all four Executive Officers. The session will focus on fostering teamwork through Strengths and drafting a constitution.

    February 28, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

    One Pace Plaza Student Center, 1st Floor

  • One-Minute Promotional Video

    All prospective new student organizations that complete Steps One through Three will proceed to the Panel. The four Executive Officers will create a one-minute promotional video for their proposed organization. The video should address the following questions:

    • What is the mission of your organization?
    • How will your organization benefit the Pace student body?
    • Why should your student organization be selected to become a Recognized Student Organization (or be reactivated)?

    The one-minute video is due Monday, March 10, 2025

    Proposal Document

    They will also submit a Proposal Document that addresses the following questions:

    • What is your action plan for the recruitment and retention of general body members?
    • What is an example of an event your organization would host if approved?
    • Present an outline of your Budget Proposal. You may use the Budget Planning Documents available on the BAC SetterSync Portal as a guide, but completed documents are not required at this stage.
    • How will you leverage the five Strengths of each Executive Officer to ensure the success of your student organization?

    The Proposal Document is due Monday, March 10, 2025

    The Panel Results

    Promo Videos and Proposal Documents will be reviewed by a panel consisting of current student organization leaders, student staff, and SGA during the two weeks following the submission deadline and prior to the feedback meetings.

    Student organizations must attend a feedback meeting with a Center for Student Engagement member during the week of March24–28, 2025 to receive the panel's results.

    All prospective new student organizations will be required to submit a final draft of their constitution during the feedback meetings. This document will be reviewed if the organization is selected to become a new student organization.

  • Executive Officers that have been granted recognition status will need to complete the mandatory Executive Officer training. This consists of online modules in Classes followed by a meeting with your Student Engagement Advisor. After your group is recognized, you will be given access to the training and further details on creating your SetterSync page and getting started as a new organization!