New Group Recognition

Each year, SAC offers a New Group Recognition period, during which student organizations that are not yet SAC-recognized can apply for recognition. SAC recognition grants access to SAC funding and provides groups with a budget code through the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). However, recognition is NOT required to reserve campus spaces, seek funding through other sources (such as the Common Funding Application), or participate in the SAC Activities Fair.

Timeline

The SAC New Group Recognition application period runs typically throughout October. Following the closing of the application period, on Thursday, Oct 31 at 11:59pm, all applications will be reviewed to determine which groups will be granted interviews for recognition.

Applications will be reviewed throughout the month of November. Given the increased number of applications submitted each year, this review process is lengthy. Please be patient during this period. Your group may be notified of its status at any time during the month of November or early December. Groups will be notified of SAC Exec's final decision by early December. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.


Criteria

To qualify for SAC recognition, student groups must meet certain criteria. Failure to satisfy these prerequisites will result in the group’s disqualification from advancing to the interview stage of the recognition process. This decision is final and cannot be appealed.

The criteria are as follows:

Distinct Niche: The group must serve a unique purpose that is completely distinct from

any existing SAC-recognized student organization. To review the list of SAC groups,

click here.

Sustainability: Groups must demonstrate sustainability by having members across

multiple class years. Additionally, they must be registered on PennClubs by December

1st of the year prior to applying.

Undergraduate Leadership: The Executive Board must consist entirely of full-time

undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania, except for second-semester

seniors. General membership must also be at least 75% full-time undergraduate

students.

Mission Alignment: The group’s primary mission must align with one of SAC’s

categories, which include:

  • Academic/Pre-Professional

  • Arts/Performance

  • Community/Public Service

  • Cultural/International

  • Instructional/Competitive

  • Media/Publications

  • Peer Education/Support

  • Political/Advocacy

  • Religious/Spiritual

  • Sports/Recreational

Umbrella Organization Membership

Membership within an applicable umbrella organization that supports your club’s mission is strongly preferred.

This includes:

  • Performing arts groups must be recognized by the Performing Arts Council (PAC).

  • Religious groups must be affiliated with Programs for Religion, Interfaith, and Spirituality Matters (PRISM).

  • Cultural groups must be recognized by the applicable governing board, which includes the Asian Pacific Student Coalition (APSC), Latinx Coalition (LC), UMOJA, and United Minorities Council (UMC).

  • Support groups must be recognized by the applicable governing board, which includes the Penn Association for Gender Equity (PAGE) and Lambda Alliance (LA).

  • Academic & Pre-Professional groups affiliated with Wharton or Engineering must be recognized by the Wharton Council (WC) or Engineering Student Activities Council (ESAC), respectively.

  • Consulting groups which fall under SAC’s Academic & Pre-Professional category must be recognized by an applicable governing board or be supported or advised by a university administrator or faculty member.

  • Sports & Recreational groups DO NOT apply to SAC directly. This category is primarily for competitive sports clubs, which must seek recognition and funding through the Sports Club Council (SCC)


Application requirements

  1. Constitution (formal document that governs the organization)

  2. List of activities (include events that were collaborations)

  3. List of members (list position and school year for board members as well as general members)

  4. List of expenses for the most recent full academic year (in Excel format with the SAC budget category each expense falls under)

  5. Completed SAC Recognition Application

  6. Once you have completed all of these steps, please email newgroup@sacfunded.net with the Subject "[Club Name] SAC New Club Recognition Application”

Application process

Prior to applying, make sure you have designated someone to serve as your student organization's SAC representative. We expect SAC representatives to be fiscally responsible, adhere to University policies and procedures for student organization finances, and making sure the student organization remains in good standing by registering with OSA each year.

There are three possible decisions: (1) disqualification due to not meeting the criteria for applying as outlined below; (2) recommendation to not recognize, which can be appealed; (3) recommendation to recognize. Appealing and accepting groups will attend the December GBM to undergo the process before the general body.

Newly-recognized student organizations will not be eligible for funding until three months after the date of their SAC recognition. After this period, they will be eligible to apply for contingency funding for the remainder of that academic year and may apply for an annual budget for the following academic year. 

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

All student organizations must adhere to policies and procedures established by the University of Pennsylvania. This includes, but is not limited to, the policies outlined in the Pennbook and the Code of Student Conduct. Furthermore, student organizations are expected to operate in compliance with the University’s non-discrimination statement, antihazing regulations and all relevant local, state, and federal laws.

Please email newgroup@sacfunded.net with any questions.