Monica Sandu '24
Co-Executive Editor
So, you have an interest that you want to share with the world (or, at least, with the Law School).[1] You also have a hunch that there are others who share that interest. And, while there may be many groups at the Law School, there are none that fill that niche. What’s a student to do? Make your own group!
My journey of creating a new student organization was a bit of a whirlwind, beginning with the spark of an idea that grew over the course of the semester until I decided to take the plunge in March. Out of nebulous desire came concrete plans, a vision for the future. But where to start?
Step 1: Contact Student Affairs
It was a busy Saturday backstage at Caplin, between scenes during Libel rehearsal. I was hopped up on caffeine, procrastinating on Monday’s reading by crafting an impassioned plea to Student Affairs. I wanted to establish the Orthodox Christian Law Student Association, but I had no clue what I needed to do to get started. Over the days I had spent thinking about it prior to sending that email, OCLSA became more than just a dream. I was already planning upcoming events, imagining the kind of community we would be able to build. This was a passion project—my labor of love.
Soon after, I received a reply and set up a meeting with Savannah Ourednik, the Student Affairs Coordinator. We met the following Wednesday, where I discussed my proposal and received the go-ahead. Ms. Ourednik, ever kind and helpful, showed me the Student Organization Handbook,[2] which detailed step-by-step instructions on what I needed to do to get this group off the ground. I left her office with a game plan.
Step 2: Receive SBA Approval
To create a student group at the Law School, you need SBA approval. To get SBA approval, you need to submit: a constitution; a list of twenty-five students who support the creation of the organization; the names of anticipated board members; and the New Student Organization Recognition Form.
I haven’t even finished Con Law, I thought. How can I possibly write a whole new constitution on my own? The prospect was daunting. Thankfully, the SBA website had a helpful template that laid out exactly what sections I needed to include. The rest was up to me. For two weeks, I wrote and rewrote the constitution, going over its provisions with a fine-toothed comb to ensure that everything complied with SBA requirements, such as allowing for a one-month transition period for the executive board, following elections. I had to develop a system that was simple enough to work with what I anticipated would be a small group to start, but which could easily be adapted to handle more members as the organization grew. While it wasn’t the easiest project in the world, I felt a certain thrill crafting these rules that would guide the organization for years to come. With every section I drafted, OCLSA became a little more real.
Getting to twenty-five signatures was also not as bad as I had first anticipated. There was an outpouring of support from my section and other 1Ls, the cast of Libel, and members of other groups I’m in. We reached the minimum signature requirement in only two days! From there, I only had to fill out the New Student Organization Recognition Form, detailing the organization’s vision, along with short-term and long-term goals to achieve that vision. At the first interest meeting, prospective members looked over what I had planned, and, together, we finalized our founding documents.
With the paperwork finally done, I emailed SBA Vice President Shivani Armilli ’23[3] and eventually presented my proposal to the SBA for them to consider. When I got the email that I had been approved, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Step 3: Receive CIO Status
The last step is receiving Contracted Independent Organization (CIO) status from the University, and applications open in the fall. To receive CIO status, organizations must have at least ten student members. Applicants must have at least three meetings directly related to the organization’s mission before applying.
Conclusion
Crucially, I didn’t go about this alone. I am humbled by the kindness and generosity of the UVA Law community. Fellow students were willing to support this endeavor, become members, and even take on leadership roles.[4] Words cannot express my gratitude.
If you have an idea you’d like to turn into a student group, go for it! Our community is made stronger by its diversity and its members’ passions.
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ms7mn@virginia.edu