PennClubs

All student organizations are required to register or re-register at the start of the academic year with the Office of Student Affairs. The Registration process identifies the organization as active and permits access to University resources including but not limited to the ability to reserve space, use electronic resources, authorization for proper use of the Penn name, access to potential funding sources, participation in activities fairs and permission to advertise themselves as a student-run organization at the University of Pennsylvania.

Nondiscrimination:

In alignment with the University of Pennsylvania’s Equal Opportunity Policy, student-run organizations are expected to uphold a commitment to non-discrimination. For more information, please visit Policies, Handbooks & Procedures | Office of Equal Opportunity Programs (“EO Policy”) It is essential for student organizations to recognize the University’s dedication to providing academic, social, and recreational programs and services that are equally accessible to all, and as such, all student-run organizations are required to conduct themselves and their activities in accordance with this commitment.

Student organizations must uphold principles of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in all aspects of their operations, including recruitment, membership, leadership selection, and event promotion and programming. The following guidelines shall apply to all student organizations:

1. Recruitment, Membership and Events:

All student organizations must be open to all persons without regard to any legally protected civil rights class status, as described in the EP Policy. All selection processes for student organizations must be demonstrably neutral, inclusive, and consistent with the EO Policy. Organizations are responsible for ensuring that all eligibility criteria, practices, and communications are neutral, inclusive, and do not create barriers—intentionally or unintentionally—based on identity.

This guideline applies to:

• Recruitment and outreach efforts
• Membership decisions
• Selection of officers or leadership slates
• Event invitations, promotion and participation
• Any other organizational practices

2. Student Organizations Missions: Events and Activities Student organizations may focus their missions, programming, or activities around issues related to a protected class (e.g., “Women in Investing”) provided that no individual or group is excluded from membership or participation based on their actual or perceived membership in that class.

All invitations, recruitment and promotional materials, websites, and other organizational communications must clearly state that all students are welcome to participate, regardless of identity. Organizations may require participants to demonstrate a genuine interest in the subject matter (e.g., ensuring attendees are engaged or supportive of the event’s topic/theme). However, interest must not be used as a proxy to exclude individuals based on their identity or membership in a protected class.

3. No Indirect Discrimination: Student organizations must not use indirect or proxy methods to exclude or discourage individuals from membership or event participation based on any protected class. Prohibited practices include, but are not limited to:

• Asking questions or gathering information with the intent or effect of inferring an individual’s identity or membership in a protected class
• Requiring affiliation with external organizations that restrict membership based on a protected class.
• Imposing membership or event attendance, that in practice or effect, result in discrimination based on any protected class under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Antihazing:

Student organizations must fully comply with the University of Pennsylvania’s Antihazing Regulations, as outlined in the Pennbook.

To ensure compliance, students are encouraged to review both the definition of hazing and the examples provided in the Antihazing Regulations. A clear understanding of what constitutes hazing is essential to avoid prohibited conduct.

Violations of the Antihazing Regulations may result in serious consequences, including disciplinary sanctions affecting both individuals and organizations, as well as potential legal ramifications under applicable law.

Compliance:

Student organizations are obligated to adhere to all applicable rules, guidelines, policies and procedures established by the University of Pennsylvania. This includes, but is not limited to, the policies outlined in the Pennbook and the Code of Student Conduct. Furthermore, student organizations are expected to operate in compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal laws.

PennClubs, developed by Penn Labs in partnership with the Undergraduate Assembly (UA), the Student Activities Council (SAC), and the Office of Student Affairs, is the University’s official platform for student organization registration and management. The platform was created to centralize resources and streamline communication for student groups, making it easier for organizations to operate effectively.

We have formalized many long-standing practices related to the requirements for student groups to register with the University. To successfully re-register your organization, the following prerequisites must be met:

Membership Requirements: Each club must have at least eight active members, with a minimum of three members designated as officers.

Group Contacts: Listed group contacts are members of the organization who have significant understanding of, and influence on, group operations.

Club Operations: Student organizations are to be initiated by, organized, primarily comprised of and solely led by undergraduate or graduate students.

Training and Workshops: Organizations must complete any required student organization trainings or workshops, such as the Student Organization Summit or New Student Group Training.

Branding Compliance: Clubs must have logos that adhere to University branding standards and ensure consistency use across all platforms, including social media and websites. Please Refer to the Student Branding Guidelines for more information.

University Affiliation: The club description must clearly state that the group is a student organization at the University.

Policy Adherence: All groups must comply with the relevant rules, guidelines, policies and guidelines for students and student organizations.

Club registration is currently closed for the remainder of the academic year. Registration will re-open in August.