How to Start a Student Group

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).

All student groups are required to complete a memorandum of understanding with the SOFO that includes a mission statement. The group must be an organization whose educational, charitable, cultural, or recreational objectives are considered beneficial to the university community and whose membership is composed of at least three people, two thirds of which must be fee-paying students on the Boulder campus.

Download the University of Colorado and Student Organizations Relationship Statement

Each group is also required to decide whether it will be an independent registered fraternal organization (RFO) or affiliated student group and must complete the corresponding organization agreement. Please come to SOFO to get copies of the organization agreements and to discuss the group's planned activities so that we can inform you in your choice. You may also obtain the agreements from the forms section of this web site.


All student groups funded with student fees must follow policies found in the Student Fee Regulations, available at the SOFO and UCSU offices. Since student fees are also state funds, other policies must be applied to these accounts, including rules of the Committee on Use of University Facilities (CUUF policy), State of Colorado Fiscal Rules, and Financial Services Policies and Procedures. In addition, each funding source has its own set of guidelines, bylaws, and policies. If you are interested in reviewing any of these policies, visit the SOFO, UMC 231.