Chartering is the process used by the SGA to evaluate a student organization and its objectives. While a Charter does not guarantee funding, it is a requirement in order to apply for funds from the Student Activities Fee.

Chartered student organizations may:
1. Apply for funds from the Activities Tax Council.
2. Apply for office space in the College Union
3. Deposit funds in a College account.

How to request a charter:
Organizations apply to the SGA for a charter through the Charters and Bylaws Committee. Students interested in forming a new organization or reactivating one need to submit the following information to the Charters and Bylaws Committee. Contact the SGA for assistance. (SGA ext. 2147)

The following documents are required:
1. A Charter application (Download)
2. A proposed constitution for the organization.
3. A list of the organization’s officers with addresses and phone numbers.
4. A letter from a Davidson Faculty or staff member agreeing to serve as advisor.

Members and/or officers of the organization meet with the Committee to clarify the organization’s goals, and to revise the constitution if needed.

The Charters and Bylaws Committee reviews the constitution and recommends to the entire SGA one of three options:
1. Granting a charter to the organization.
2. Granting a charter contingent upon minor changes made to the constitution.
3. Return the constitution for major revisions and wait for the constitution to be resubmitted, if the organization so desires.

The SGA votes on the Committee’s recommendation and the results of the vote are communicated to the student contact of the prospective organization. If a charter is granted, the SGA also informs the Chair of the Activities Tax Council and the Coordinator of Student Activities. Guidelines for deliberations and determination of an organization’s eligibility for a charter include guidelines 1-5 for Registration plus the following:
1. The organization must have mostly student members-at least 2/3’s.
2. Membership in the organization must be open to any member of the student body.
3. The organization must not be a social fraternity or eating house. (The process for official recognition of national fraternities and eating houses is governed by the College President. It requires the recommendation of the CCRL and the Dean of Students and the approval of the President.)

Charter Status
The SGA grants four types of charters.
1. Provisional charters are granted to groups who have been registered at least 45 days and have at least 10 members. Groups with provisional charters are eligible for no more than $350 from the ATC.
2. Charter I status is granted to groups who have been provisional for at least a year and who have at least 15 members. Charter I groups may request up to $1000 from the ATC.
3. Charter II status is granted to groups who have been Charter I for at least a year and have at least 20 members. Charter II groups may request up to $10,000 from the ATC.
4. Charter III status is granted to groups who have been Charter II for at least one year and have at least 25 members. Charter III groups may request more than $10,000 from the ATC.