Faculty/Staff Sponsor Information and Agreement Form
(Sponsor's Form)

Print off, sign and return a copy of this form to the Clubs Office, RMC Cloisters, MS-526.

Thank you for sponsoring one of Rice's student clubs and organizations. We realize that this responsibility is above and beyond your classroom, research, or regular duties, and sincerely appreciate your time and interest in adding to the quality of Rice's student life.

In order to aid you in your role as a sponsor, the Office of Student Activities has compiled some suggestions to help make your sponsorship as effective and enjoyable as possible. The role played by each sponsor varies from club to club and from year to year. At times the sponsor may need to be extremely active, while at other times the sponsor will be more of a passive observer. In order to determine what your particular role and level of involvement should be, you should meet with the club officers at the beginning of each year to establish an understanding.

The Office of Student Activities expects individual clubs and their sponsors to negotiate the sponsor's responsibilities and therefore has few stringent guidelines for student organizations. However, past experience has shown that following a few particular practices will help to insure a successful, smooth-running year.

Keep Abreast of Club Activities
You can only offer guidance and direction for the club if you are aware of its happenings. This does not mean you have to attend every meeting or club activity. Reading the minutes or personally meeting with the officers a few times throughout the semester can help keep you aware of what the club has been doing and what their plans are for the future.

The University affords all clubs great independence, ultimately holding the club and its officers responsible for their activities. Each club is expected to adhere to all rules and regulations governing Rice University. In planning and executing any activity, it is expected that the club will inform its sponsor of all plans. Each sponsor is responsible for offering advice and helping maintain consistency with University policy. It would prove helpful for you to look over the Student Handbook. This booklet contains all rules governing student activities. The Clubs Manual and the Sponsor Manual are also useful resources. If there are any questions that these handbooks do not answer for you, please contact the Clubs Office.

Provide Continuity
Although the officers and members of each club change from year to year, the sponsor will more than likely have been at Rice longer than any of the club members. This will enable the sponsor to help facilitate the transition of the club and its new officers from year to year, as well as give the organization a sense of history and direction. New officer elections are usually held in late spring, while the Activities Fair and the annual club re-registration occur during the early fall. The sponsor can help make sure that these transitional tasks are accomplished, thereby insuring the club's continued and effective existence.

The Clubs Office serves as a home base for all clubs. All clubs and organizations use this office as their mailing address and some have a permanent mailbox there. It is also the office through which clubs must register each year, where clubs can apply for bank accounts or update their signature cards. The Assistant Director of Student Activities (Clubs Office) can be reached at x5115. The Clubs Office is located in the RMC Cloisters.

The Office of Student Activities is central in facilitating the plans and approval of all club activities. Officers can receive approval for library banners and any solicitation activities. Student Activities serves as the liaison between all clubs and the administration in approving any activity. The Director of Student Activities, Heather Masden, and the Department Coordinator, Philippa Angelides, welcome your questions and input regarding club problems and needs. The Office of Student Activities is located in the RMC cloisters and can be reached at x4097 during normal business hours.

The role of a sponsor can be very rewarding for both you and the club. It will allow you the opportunity to serve either as an active planning force in the club, or as a mentor gently steering the organization. Whichever role you and the officers decide for you to play, your presence is an essential part of a successful club at Rice.

Organization:

Name:


Department:


Campus Ext.

Email:

I agree to be the faculty/staff sponsor for the above club during the current academic year.

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