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Prospective Groups

Note: As of Fall 2026 the Prospective Club Application Process and the related timeline has changed. The process now runs once annually, with an extended application window open for the majority of the Fall semester and new clubs officially launching in mid-Spring semester.

There are over 500 recognized clubs and organizations at Notre Dame. You are encouraged to check the list of current student clubs to see if there is one with a similar purpose before submitting a prospective club proposal form. All of the details you need for submitting a prospective club proposal can be found during each semester's club recognition process. Before you begin, please consider all of the information provided below.

Submitting a complete proposal for a new club is not an overnight process. The information below includes details regarding required paperwork and meetings. All of the information submitted in association with your proposal will be closely reviewed. The Prospective Club Application accepts new applications once at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester. There are no exceptions outside of these timelines.

2026-2027 Application Timeline
The Prospective Club Application is a multi-part application which requires the submission of ALL of the following items:
  • Proposed Club Constitution*
  • Officer Roster with Advisor signature
  • Member Interest Sheet
  • Completed Budget Sheet
  • Proposed Schedule of Events
  • **If your club will have a National Affiliation, those affiliation requirements (eg. application, contact, agreement, etc.) and the external organization’s bylaws are also required as additional attachment(s)
  • The entire application packet can be found here: Prospective Club Packet
Process Overview:

The various student government organizations which review prospective club applications: Club Coordination Council (CCC) for undergraduate clubs, Graduate Student Government (GSG), MBA Association (MBAA) / Specialized Masters' Council (SMC), or the Student Bar Association (SBA) will host information sessions to answer any questions that applicants have as well as cover the following:

Applications are then submitted via form on NDCentral in accordance with the timeline that is linked above.

Once applications are submitted, they are reviewed on a rolling basis by the Student Activities Office. The Student Activities Office’s role in the process is to determine what student groups can exist here at the University of Notre Dame. That entails looking at application materials for any contradictions with University policy/procedure and our Catholic mission. The Student Activities Office will also ask University Departments who are content experts in the areas of the proposed student groups missions to review applications. Examples of this include asking RecSports to review any proposed club sports, asking Campus Ministry to review any proposed religious groups and asking the respective academic unit to review any proposed academic groups. Both Student Activities Office and Departmental reviews will occur via an in person meeting.

All applications that clear the initial review are forwarded along to the various governing student organizations, the Club Coordination Council (CCC) for undergraduate applications and Graduate Student Government (GSG), MBA Association (MBAA) / Specialized Masters' Council (SMC), or the Student Bar Association (SBA) for graduate applications. This merit-based review examines the proposed mission, sustainable interest for membership, impact on the campus community, and the overall stewardship of University resources and is facilitated via in person meetings.

Once final decisions are made, the governing student organizations will notify all applicants of the final decisions and communicate those decisions to the Student Activities Office. The Student Activities Office will then draft activation letters and communicate next steps for standing up the approved student groups. This entire process will conclude by mid-Spring semester, allowing new clubs the last few weeks of the academic year to establish a foundation and prepare for a successful upcoming Fall semester.

Additional Information for Prospective Clubs
 

→ Reminders 

  • Recognition of clubs is at the discretion of the Director of Student Centers, Activities, and Events.
  • Before final approval is granted, all prospective clubs must demonstrate that they will sustain themselves over time.
  • All prospective clubs must submit the signature of an Advisor with their application. The Advisor must be a fulltime faculty or administrative staff member of the University. Please see Advisor Resources for more information including an Advisor Handbook and an optional Student Group/Advisor Agreement Form.
  • The role of the Student Activities Office Involvement Team is to assist students and liaise the process of starting new clubs. Do not hesitate to contact the Student Activities Office with any questions, concerns, or problems.
  • There will be open office hours for students to stop by and get assistance with the process.
  • All student clubs must adhere to University Standards of Conduct, Student Life Policies, and Recognized Student Group Policies set forth in duLac. For more information specifically regarding student club establishment, registration, and good standing, please see this webpage.

→ Club Officers and Membership

  • Only ND/SMC/HCC students may hold officer positions. Only Notre Dame students may serve as Officer1 and/or President for student groups.
  • At least half of the officers must be enrolled as students at Notre Dame (the others must be students at Saint Mary's or Holy Cross College).
  • If an undergraduate club is seeking funding from the Club Coordination Council (CCC), at least half of the officers must be Notre Dame undergraduate students.
  • Clubs may not grant membership to community members, parents, or alumni; this would be contradictory to the concept of a student organization.
  • Although parameters for officers may be outlined in a club's constitution, a club cannot be restrictive in general membership.
  • It is important to all groups creating or editing their constitution to first review the Student Group Constitution Guide.

→ Club Budget, Accounting, and Membership Dues

  • All recognized clubs will be issued a university account, maintained through the Student Union Treasurer's office. Clubs may not have off-campus bank accounts.
  • All undergraduate clubs which intend to apply for a student activity fee allocation are required by the Club Coordination Council (CCC) to charge a membership fee. The only exceptions to this rule are the social service clubs, which do not require a fee, as their "dues" are paid in volunteer service hours.
  • Graduate Clubs (including those in Law and Mendoza) have their own unique allocation and accounting structures per governing student organization. Please contact the following respective governing student organizations for more information: Graduate Student Government (gsu@nd.edu), Student Bar Association (sba@nd.edu), and MBA Association (mbaa@nd.edu) / Specialized Master's Council (smcouncl@nd.edu).

→ The Student Government Organizations on their Approval Process

Proposed clubs that meet University stipulations for recognition will continue through the process as follows:

  1. Application packets which pass the initial departmental review will be distributed to the following governing student organizations for review and approval: Club Coordination Council (CCC) for undergraduate clubs, Graduate Student Government (GSG), MBA Association (MBAA) / Specialized Masters' Council (SMC), or the Student Bar Association (SBA). These organizations typically consider: if the purpose of the proposed student club is currently fulfilled by existing student organizations, the number of interested students, and the long term sustainability of the proposed club.
  2. The governing student organization will evaluate potential club constitutions, purpose statements, suggested major events, and intended audience/constituency on campus and compare these with existing clubs in their determination. If the governing student organization determines that an existing group already fulfills the purpose of the prospective club, the applicant typically receives a recommendation to work with the already recognized group in lieu of creating a new club.
  3. If the student organization determines that the club is not justified or warranted (for example: the group does not need club recognition to serve its purpose), an application is typically denied.
  4. The student organization notifies both the applicants as well as the Student Activities Office of all approved applications as well as the new clubs’ placement within a division. The Student Activities Office notifies club officers and advisors of activation for probationary status by letter. An account with the Student Union Treasurer's Office will be set up and a netID for the group will be requested.
  5. The CCC sets expectations and requirements for undergraduate clubs within their first year, categorized as Probationary Clubs. The terms and expectations of new club probationary status are outlined here.
  6. Graduate clubs should check in with their individual student organization to receive any expectations or requirements to remain in good standing.