Why RSO Re-Registration Matters

It's Registration Time!

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are one of the strongest drivers of student connection, leadership development, and campus belonging. At Western Michigan University (WMU), RSOs create the experiences that move students from simply attending college to actively shaping their college experience.

Each year, re-registration is required. This process is more than administrative paperwork. It is how organizations remain recognized, supported, and positioned to lead on campus.

This guide explains why re-registration matters, how to complete it, the benefits of staying active, and how to start a new RSO if your idea does not yet exist.

Why Re-Registration Is Important

Re-registration confirms that your organization is active, student-led, and aligned with university policies. It allows the university to:

• Maintain accurate records of leadership and advisors
• Confirm compliance with risk management and conduct policies
• Update contact information so members can find you
• Verify eligibility for funding and campus resources

Without re-registration, an organization may lose its active status. That can limit access to funding, event space, tabling, marketing tools, and other institutional support.

Re-registration also creates an annual moment of reflection. It gives student leaders the opportunity to:

• Review their mission and goals
• Confirm leadership transitions
• Update governing documents
• Reset expectations for the year

Strong organizations treat re-registration as a leadership reset rather than a checklist task.

How to Re-Register Your RSO

The re-registration process is completed through ExperienceWMU. Follow these steps:

Log into ExperienceWMU using your Bronco credentials.

Navigate to your organization’s page.

Select the "needs to reregister" option.

Review and update the following information:

• Organization name and description
• Leadership roster and officer roles
• Membership roster
• Advisor information
• Constitution or governing documents

Complete any required training modules or acknowledgments.

Submit the form!

After submission, the Office of Student Engagement reviews your application. If revisions are needed, you will receive feedback through the platform.

Benefits of Re-Registering

Maintaining active status provides significant advantages.

Access to Funding

Active RSOs can request funding through the Student Assessment Fee process and other university sources.

Event Support

Re-registered organizations can reserve campus space, host events, and participate in large campus traditions such as Bronco Bash.

Marketing and Visibility

Your organization appears in the public ExperienceWMU directory, allowing students to search and join. This increases recruitment and membership growth.

Leadership Development

Officers gain experience in budgeting, event planning, team leadership, and communication. These experiences support WMU’s commitment to experience-driven learning.

Institutional Credibility

Recognition signals that your organization operates within university policies and standards. This credibility matters when partnering with departments or external organizations.

What Happens If You Do Not Re-Register?

Organizations that miss the deadline may become inactive or frozen. This status can result in:

• Loss of funding eligibility
• Removal from the public directory
• Inability to reserve space or table
• Delays in returning to active status

If your organization becomes inactive, contact the Office of Student Engagement to discuss next steps.

Interested in Starting a New RSO?

If you cannot find an organization that matches your interest, you can create one.

Starting a new RSO allows students to:

• Build community around a shared interest
• Fill a gap in campus programming
• Develop leadership from the ground up
• Contribute something new to the WMU experience

General Requirements to Start an RSO

• A minimum number of enrolled student members
• A designated president and executive board
• An advisor
• A written constitution
• Submission through ExperienceWMU

The Office of Student Engagement reviews new organization proposals to confirm that they are distinct from existing groups and aligned with university guidelines.

Before starting a new organization, consider:

• Does a similar RSO already exist?
• What need does this group meet?
• Who is your target membership?
• How will you sustain leadership year to year?

OSE staff can meet with you to refine your idea and guide you through the process.

Key Deadlines and Support

Re-registration typically opens in the spring and closes before the next academic cycle. Watch your WMU email and ExperienceWMU notifications for exact dates.

Final Thoughts

Re-registration keeps your organization active, visible, and supported. It protects your access to funding and campus space. More importantly, it signals that your organization is ready to lead.

At WMU, student organizations do more than host meetings. They shape campus culture. Completing re-registration on time positions your team to make the most of the year ahead.

If your organization is ready to continue its impact, log into ExperienceWMU and begin the process. If you have a new idea, start building something that moves our campus forward.