We have a digital platform called RooLife that helps students check out what’s going on around campus that’s outside of the classroom.  Here, you can check out active clubs/organizations and find contact information from students who are currently involved with those clubs/organizations.  Often, clubs and organizations post their interest meetings here so that students know when and where to meet the club. 

Additionally, SGA hosts a Carnival of Clubs event at the beginning of each semester for students interested in learning about the clubs/organizations offered at SUNY Canton.

1. Complete a club start-up packet application via RooLife
2. To complete this application, you will need a minimum of 5 student members' signatures. You will need an entire executive board: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Senator (Optional Executive Member because any student in your club can be appointed Senator).
3. You will need a Faculty or Professional Staff member employed at this college to agree to be an Advisor to your club/organization. You need at least one person but may have as many as you’d like.
4. You will also need to create a club/organization constitution (Please see the SGA constitution for comparison/as an outline).
5. Once you complete the start-up packet, please submit it to the SGA President.
6. The SGA President will invite you to one of the SGA Advisors'/Executive Meetings to review your application.
7. If the SGA Executive Board approves, you will be asked to attend an SGA Senate Meeting (which meets bi-weekly) to request official SGA Recognition.
8. If you receive SGA Recognition, you may submit a request to the SGA to receive a start-up budget of $250, which must officially be passed in the SGA Budget Committee and SGA Senate meetings.
9. After the SGA executive board reviews your club startup packet, they will invite you to their earliest possible meeting; they will need the packet for review before they can invite you to their executive board meeting.

The revenue for the Student Government Association comes from the Student Activity Fee paid by every student.  Each club/organization must submit their request for a proposed budget line justification for the following fiscal year to the SGA Budget Director.  A Student Government Association Budget Committee reviews the budget every spring to determine the allocation of those funds for the next fiscal year.

All organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Student Activity Fees must be open to all students. In the case of Academic Honor Societies and Professional Organizations, the clubs/organizations must be open to all students who meet the requirements set by the Honor Society or Professional Organization. All clubs and organizations must be chartered by the SGA Student Senate. Professional organizations will be deemed applicable to these guidelines by the SGA Executive Committee. All money allocations must be brought before the Budget Committee for action before being presented to the Senate.

If you'd like to be actively involved with campus life, join one of the many active, recognized student organizations.  Attending programs, activities, and meetings is the best way to get involved. View RooLife for upcoming events and a list of the active clubs & organizations.

The Student Government Association (SGA) hosts the Carnival of Clubs, which allows all student clubs and organizations to display their organizations to other students and use the event to recruit new members.  All students are encouraged to join campus groups and organizations.  Students can learn about each group's activities at the event by listening to and speaking with club members.  It's an excellent approach for students to discover a group with which they can identify and for groups to recruit new members!

Yes! 

SGA supports off-campus trips made by clubs/organizations.  If students wish to travel on behalf of their club/organization, they must abide by the Student Handbook, SGA Travel Policies, and SUNY Canton Travel Guidelines.  Here are the general guidelines for club/organization travel:

1. Discuss all ideas with the club/organization advisor.
2. The advisor must complete the Risk Assessment document and seek permission from Senior Staff. The document is available in the Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership Office.
3. The club membership must agree on the trip and details, which should be reflected in the meeting minutes.
4. The trip must be co-curricular in relation to the club/organization's mission.
5. All trips MUST have one advisor or other SUNY Canton employee for every ten (10) students.
6. The club/organization is responsible for ALL Advisor’s expenses related to the trip.
7. ONLY SUNY Canton students may travel.
8. All trips must be approved by the Advisor and Executive Director of Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership.
9. Travel within the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico is permitted.
10. Travel to Canada and Puerto Rico requires passports. Passports are the responsibility of each traveler.
    • Each traveler must meet all travel requirements (such as passport, medical shots, etc.)
    • The club/organization may need to purchase additional liability insurance for the trip
11. NO ONE (Advisor or Students) may purchase or consume alcoholic beverages – REGARDLESS OF AGE.
12. Cohabitation among students is NOT allowed – regardless of marital status.

Prior to an off-campus trip, all trip details, such as vehicle reservations, budgeting and costs, and hotel reservations, must be finalized and approved by the SGA and Executive Director of SAIL.

Students and advisors are representatives of the State University of New York College at Canton and the Student Government Association when traveling. Each person is responsible for professional conduct and presenting a positive image while on the trip.

An advisor’s primary responsibility is to advise and serve as a resource person. The relationship between an advisor and a student organization requires mutual commitment, dedication, and value, which enriches the involvement of all who participate in an organization.

SUNY Canton clubs and organizations must have at least one advisor (may have co-advisors) who is an employee of the college.  Advisors are selected and brought forth by students of the club/organization to the Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership office and are officially appointed by the College President.

The responsibilities of the advisor(s) are as follows:

1. Assist the club/organization in administering an active and significant program.
2. Ensure the club/organization operates within the confines of the 
   1. Student Government Association constitution
   2. Club/organization constitution
   3. SUNY Canton policies and procedures
   4. Code of Student Conduct.
      For that reason, the advisor must be familiar with these stated documents.
3. Ensure the club/organization officers and members are familiar with the documents listed in #2.
4. Encourage active participation from all club/organization members and assist in organization, officer, and membership development.
5. A college employee MUST accompany the club/organization on any trip.  Therefore, the advisor must accompany the club/organization on trips or assist in securing a substitute. Also, provide the appropriate advice and guidance in relation to planning a trip.
6. Advise the club/organization officers in managing the budget. The advisor’s signature is required on all transactions relating to the budget.
   1. With that, the advisor should be available to sign appropriate paperwork relating to the budget.
7. Be present at scheduled club/organization meetings. If the advisor is unable to attend a meeting, the club/organization is responsible for ensuring the advisor is fully aware of everything that happened at the meeting.
8. Provide advice and guidance in planning club/organization functions/events.  Be present at all functions/events organized by the club/organization.
9. Provide the continuity necessary for the activity to proceed from one year to the next.
10. Informally evaluate the quality of effort of the membership and share this feedback with the Director of Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership.
11. Preserve the liaison between the club/organization and the Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership office.
12. Advisors can assist in supervising specific projects, elections, or other areas as requested by the organization.
13. Advisors should challenge members to keep their grades up and direct them to places that can assist them with academics.
14. Advisors can assist clubs/organizations members in times of crisis.
15. Advisors should be given copies of constitutions, agendas, minutes, calendars, and organizational materials so they are aware of what is going on and so that they have records to help present and future members.

All SGA Clubs/Organizations and Greek Life members and their advisors requesting non-academic space (Campus Center, MPRs, Rendezvous, outdoor spaces, etc.) for any event, meeting, or practice must reserve space a minimum of 24 hours (1 day) in advance.  The Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership office coordinates and approves these reservations.

To reserve a room or space on campus, contact the SAIL office at studentactivitiesoffice@canton.edu or call 315-386-7315.