FAQ's

Q. How do I start a student group at the SOFO?
To open a group account, a deposit of at least $25 must be made at the SOFO, a memorandum of understanding must be signed, and a student organization agreement must be completed. A group needs a minimum of three student members and a minimum of 2/3 of the membership of the student group must be members of the UCSU.  Student groups must choose a specific association with the University: Affiliated, Independent or Registered Fraternal Organization (RFO).

Q. What is the difference between Affiliated, Independent and Registered Fraternal Organizations?
Affiliated groups are considered to be fully operational units of CU-Boulder and enjoy the same status as any other university department, center, institute, or unit. Affiliated groups normally affiliate within a university college or department and must have a responsible departmental liaison, preferably a departmental chair or senior faculty person to serve as its advisor.  All funds and equipment in the custody of an affiliated student group are the property of the Board of Regents and must remain with CU-Boulder upon dissolution of the student organization. Affiliated groups are not allowed to have an off-campus bank account. Affiliated groups have access to all University resources and can use the university’s name along with their own (The CU Chinese Club). Referenda groups are considered Affiliated.

Independent groups (ISOs) are free to exist or disband and are fully responsible for their own activities. They are "at" the university but are not "of" the university. ISO’s are allowed to hold off-campus bank accounts. Student organizations must comply with university and UCSU policies and procedures in membership, scheduling and conducting activities on-campus but the group’s goals and activities are determined solely by the groups themselves.

Registered Fraternal Organizations (RFOs) are Greek social organizations that have signed the Registered Fraternal Organizational Agreement with the university. RFOs are recognized as and follow the guidelines of Independent Student Organizations.

Q. What is GAIR?
General Administrative Recharge (GAR) and General Infrastructure Recharge (GIR) refer to the recovery of indirect administrative service costs and common physical infrastructure costs incurred on behalf of all programs on the Boulder campus.

ISO and RFOs  are only assessed GAR.

Affiliated are assessed GAR and GIR (GAIR).

GAR is charged against all student fee, special event, travel and independent accounts and is currently 5.38%.

GIR is charged against most student fee, special event and travel accounts. GIR is not assessed against independent or gift accounts and is currently .55%.

Recharges are incurred ONLY when you spend money from your account.

Q. How many signers can my group have on its account?
Three. On an ISO account at least 2 of them must be students. For Affiliated accounts, all of them must be students.

Q. Can a Greek fraternity register as an ISO?
NO. The only way a fraternity can register themselves with the university is to sign the Registered Fraternal Organization Agreement with the University and to then register as an RFO with the SOFO.

Q. Can student groups spend their money on alcohol?
It depends on your group’s affiliation.

It is a violation of University policy to purchase alcohol from an Affiliated group account).

Independent groups can purchase alcohol as long as it benefits the group and is done in a safe and lawful manner (everyone is of legal drinking age).

Q. How does my group purchase something on-campus?
A signer for the group should first come to the SOFO.  We will verify that your group has sufficient funds and we will then give you an Interdepartmental Invoice (IN). Please do not give your university speed type out as a form of payment. All spending from your account must be authorized by the SOFO first!

Q. How does my group purchase something off-campus?
Affiliated groups should come to the SOFO first so that we can prepare a departmental purchase order (DPO) or arrange payment with our departmental credit card (ACARD). Affiliated funds are tax-exempt so when university purchasing resources are used your group is not charged sales taxes. In the situation where neither the ACARD nor a DPO is possible or convenient with the vendor please pay for it with your own funds and provide us with the original itemized receipt and credit card slip (if you paid by credit card). We must have original, itemized receipts that show payment in all situations. Purchases under $100 can usually be reimbursed in-office with petty cash. Amounts over $100 are reimbursable with a university check and takes 5 – 10 working days to process. We need authorization from an account signer along with the name, address and student ID # of the person being reimbursed.

Independent groups do not have access to DPOs or the ACARD and must pay for off-campus purchases out-of-pocket and get reimbursed per the instructions for Affiliated groups.

Q. Can my group get funding for a trip or event?
Both ISOs and Affiliated groups are eligible for travel and event funding and there are numerous on-campus funding options available to groups. Complete the Student Group Event or Student Group Travel form and bring to SOFO. Funding sources will not fund without our signature. Many funding sources have application deadlines so the earlier you begin the planning and funding process the more successful you will be with your funding and with your event/trip. For both, you should start the funding process 2-3 months before the event or travel.

Q. Can I purchase my own plane ticket for a trip funded by the University or Affiliated group account?
The State has contracted with a number of travel agencies and airlines to provide very competitive rates on airfare. Once your funding is secured come to the SOFO and we will assist you in purchasing your ticket from one of the contracted travel agencies.

In the situation where an online vendor has a ticket for less than the university can get it for with one of our contracted agencies, please come see us first. Purchasing tickets online requires prior approval from the SOFO or you may not be reimbursed!