Graduate Student Organization Resources

Graduate Student Organization Overview

At the University of Delaware, you’ll discover a strong sense of community and belonging, thanks in part to the Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs) that work to enhance each student’s personal growth and leadership skills.

Graduate Student Organizations are formed by groups of students with shared interests. Some are aligned with degree programs; some are independent. To become approved, a prospective GSO must have at least six matriculated graduate student members and a UD staff or faculty advisor. Applications are accepted twice a year, but Graduate College staff are happy to meet with you year-round to discuss your goals for establishing a GSO.

New GSO applications accepted:
- Aug. 1 - Sept. 15 (fall)
- Jan. 2 - Feb. 15 (spring)
Existing GSO renewals due: Sept. 15 (fall)
New GSOs announced: Oct. 1 (fall)
Fall Funding applications accepted: Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
Fall Funding announced: on or before Oct. 7

Membership: Only matriculated graduate students may serve as officers and voting members of a GSO unless specific exceptions are approved by the Graduate College. Community members, University faculty and staff, undergraduate students and postdoctoral trainees may not hold any office in a GSO or vote in its official proceedings.
Renewals: Existing leadership on file with the Graduate College will be contacted to review and update information on file for the GSO. It is the responsibility of the GSO to communicate to the Graduate College when leadership contacts change. Failure to complete the renewal by Sept. 15 will deem the organization ineligible for funding during the fall semester.
GSO Policies: To remain in good standing, a GSO must comply with all University policies.

To apply to be a GSO, you will need the following information:

GSO name
Names of six current graduate students who want to be involved in the group
At least three students who will fill leadership roles (including one who will serve as the treasurer)
Advisor (current UD faculty or staff member and their email address)
Mission statement
Description of how the proposed GSO aligns with the values of UD
Description of how your GSO will contribute learning in its daily operations
Description of ways in which the University community may benefit from the group becoming a GSO
About Us (three to five sentences that provide a snapshot summary of your organization to prospective members)
What We Do (three to five bullet points describing your organization's activities, events and/or programs)
Why join (three to five sentences or bullet points that highlight the individual benefits members receive by being part of your organization)
Membership criteria
Details on membership fees, if applicable
Details of a national affiliate, if applicable
Constitution: All GSOs are required to have a constitution that sets the framework for their organization. This template should be used for all GSOs. Instructions for developing your constitution are at the top of the document.
Bylaws: All GSOs are required to have bylaws that lay out how the organization operates. This template should be used for all GSOs. Instructions for developing your constitution are at the top of the document.

Applications accepted from Aug. 1 - Sept. 15

Request GSO f unding: To receive University funding, groups must be a GSO in good standing and submit a funding request via the provided form by Sept. 30. If a group is not awarded funding in the fall semester, a second round of funding will be available in the spring semester.
Reserve a space or advertise at a student center: UD offers more than 30 indoor and outdoor reservable spaces, along with advertising opportunities for your event.
UD Events Calendar: Do you have an upcoming event open to the UD community? Consider posting it on the UD Events Calendar.
Reserved and Freedom of Expression Signs: All events and displays reserved through the approved University process must prominently display, for the full duration of the reservation, at least two University-issued Reserved signs and at least two University-issued Freedom of Expression signs. These signs must be picked up prior to the start of the reservation and returned promptly following its conclusion. Failure to do so may result in referral to the office of Community Standards & Conflict Resolution.

Key Dates

New GSO applications accepted:
- Aug. 1 - Sept. 15 (fall)
- Jan. 2 - Feb. 15 (spring)
Existing GSO renewals due: Sept. 15 (fall)
New GSOs announced: Oct. 1 (fall)
Fall Funding applications accepted: Aug. 1 - Sept. 30
Fall Funding announced: on or before Oct. 7

Key Considerations

Membership: Only matriculated graduate students may serve as officers and voting members of a GSO unless specific exceptions are approved by the Graduate College. Community members, University faculty and staff, undergraduate students and postdoctoral trainees may not hold any office in a GSO or vote in its official proceedings.
Renewals: Existing leadership on file with the Graduate College will be contacted to review and update information on file for the GSO. It is the responsibility of the GSO to communicate to the Graduate College when leadership contacts change. Failure to complete the renewal by Sept. 15 will deem the organization ineligible for funding during the fall semester.
GSO Policies: To remain in good standing, a GSO must comply with all University policies.

Application Process and Elements

To apply to be a GSO, you will need the following information:

GSO name
Names of six current graduate students who want to be involved in the group
At least three students who will fill leadership roles (including one who will serve as the treasurer)
Advisor (current UD faculty or staff member and their email address)
Mission statement
Description of how the proposed GSO aligns with the values of UD
Description of how your GSO will contribute learning in its daily operations
Description of ways in which the University community may benefit from the group becoming a GSO
About Us (three to five sentences that provide a snapshot summary of your organization to prospective members)
What We Do (three to five bullet points describing your organization's activities, events and/or programs)
Why join (three to five sentences or bullet points that highlight the individual benefits members receive by being part of your organization)
Membership criteria
Details on membership fees, if applicable
Details of a national affiliate, if applicable
Constitution: All GSOs are required to have a constitution that sets the framework for their organization. This template should be used for all GSOs. Instructions for developing your constitution are at the top of the document.
Bylaws: All GSOs are required to have bylaws that lay out how the organization operates. This template should be used for all GSOs. Instructions for developing your constitution are at the top of the document.

Applications accepted from Aug. 1 - Sept. 15

Resources

Request GSO f unding: To receive University funding, groups must be a GSO in good standing and submit a funding request via the provided form by Sept. 30. If a group is not awarded funding in the fall semester, a second round of funding will be available in the spring semester.
Reserve a space or advertise at a student center: UD offers more than 30 indoor and outdoor reservable spaces, along with advertising opportunities for your event.
UD Events Calendar: Do you have an upcoming event open to the UD community? Consider posting it on the UD Events Calendar.
Reserved and Freedom of Expression Signs: All events and displays reserved through the approved University process must prominently display, for the full duration of the reservation, at least two University-issued Reserved signs and at least two University-issued Freedom of Expression signs. These signs must be picked up prior to the start of the reservation and returned promptly following its conclusion. Failure to do so may result in referral to the office of Community Standards & Conflict Resolution.