Fundraising Guidelines
All recognized student organizations are encouraged and expected to make every possible effort to become financially self-supporting. The desire to make money is one thing that most student organizations have in common. There are many ways to make money and spend it. The following fundraising guidelines apply at St. Cloud State University:
St. Cloud State University recognizes that organizations may wish to conduct fundraising activities; however, in no way is university endorsement for such activities implied.
- Organizations must comply with university regulations regarding the use and consumption of alcohol on campus (prohibited on state university property).
- No recognized organization may advertise or participate in fundraisers involving alcohol or any illicit drug on or off campus. Organizations in no way may use student fee generated money to fund any fundraiser involving alcohol or any other illicit drug. Organizations in violation of this policy may lose their organizational budget or recognition depending on the recommendation of the Finance Committee and/or Judicial Council and the association Vice President of Student Life and Development.
- Any food-related sales must be approved and coordinated through ARAMARK Food Service.
- Club sports are generally under the jurisdiction of the Director of Sports Facilities & Campus Recreation. Any event involving a club sport using university recreational facilities must be coordinated through that office.
- All residence hall activities must be coordinated through the Director of Residential Life or his/her designees.
- Off-campus charitable, not-for-profit and commercial enterprises offer programming opportunities, which often include sales. Such programs may be brought on campus under the co-sponsorship of recognized student organizations.
- Organizations currently funded by Student Government Finance Committee (SGFC) must apply to SGFC for authorization to fundraise. Additionally, SGFC-funded organizations are asked to contact the SCSU Foundation prior to fundraising to prevent duplication of appeals to prospective donors. See SGFC policies for further information.
- The SGFC maintains a free-balance account to support selected needs of student organizations and funded units. Recognized organizations are eligible to apply to SGFC for special funding needs. The Committee will hear the request and make a recommendation to Student Government. Contact the SGFC office in the Student Activities Complex, Atwood Center Room 138 , or call 308-2995.
- Student organizations conducting fundraising activities off-campus are reminded that City Hall or the local police department must be contacted to inquire if a permit is required for conducting the event. One week prior to hosting an activity, student organizations sponsoring activities on St. Cloud city property must show proof of liability insurance to the St. Cloud City Clerk. For further information, call Parks and Recreation Department at 255-7216.
- When planning an off-campus fundraiser, obtain written permission from the owner of private property before scheduling an event on the property. The permission form should include the date of the event, type of event, what the student organization will be doing, number of participants, contact person's name, address and phone number, and the type of security, if necessary. If more detailed arrangements are required, a written contract is suggested.
- If more detailed arrangements are required, a written contract is suggested.
- If an off-campus event involves physical activity or participation, insurance should be considered and a written disclaimer giving participants warning and notice of assumption of risk by them be provided. A sample copy of an Assumption of Risk Agreement" is available in CSOLD, Atwood Center 139.
Credit card sales or promotions are not allowed in Atwood Center except for those situations where a charge card is provided as an incidental service to a product or service (e.g., phone calling cards that can only be used to charge calls). Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and other official SCSU credit card programs are exempt from this policy. Private solicitation, including credit card sales, is prohibited on university property unless special approval is obtained through university administration.
The following restrictions apply to organizations sponsoring off-campus vendors for
fundraising:
- Organization members must work directly with the off-campus company and it is the responsibility of the organization to arrange for space in Atwood Center. Contact the receptionist in the Conferencing and Scheduling Office, Atwood Center 110, to secure space.
- Member of your organization must be present in your assigned space with the cosponsoring business at all times. Active participation is required.
- While student organizations are not charged rental, they will be assessed a $25.00 fee if they cancel a kiosk with less than a five-working day notice. The first incident in any semester will result in a warning letter, the second incident, a fine. Five working days must pass between the warning letter and the assessment of an actual fine.
Restricted or Prohibited Events
- Gambling and betting activities are prohibited on campus. It is a violation of state law.
- Student organizations are prohibited from conducting games of pure chance, contests and giveaways which involve the purchase of a "chance" ticket, token or number or the expectation of a "donation" given for the chance. However, money can be exchanged for something in return with the drawing being ancillary. For example, tickets could be sold to attend an event with a drawing held during the event. The purchase price of the ticket would be for admission to the event and for the general benefits of the event, not for a chance at winning a prize. Participants could purchase the opportunity to play a contest or game requiring physical and/or mental skill. Winners could then be eligible to have their names entered in a drawing with the potential of winning a prize, determined through a random drawing. The game or contest must be sufficiently difficult to ensure that real knowledge or skill is required, and that not all participants become winners. The two crucial elements are that the party, or contest/game, have to be offered for the money and the tickets, advertisements, etc., cannot use the word raffle.
- "Slave" auctions are prohibited on or off campus.
- Dangerous activities, including car smashes, those involving live animals, human pyramids, trampolines, explosives, loaded firearms or other dangerous weapons are prohibited on university property. Even off campus, these activities may give rise to liability concerns.
- No recognized organization may advertise or participate in fundraisers involving alcohol or any illicit drug on or off campus. Organizations in no way may use student fee generated money to fund any fundraiser involving alcohol or any other illicit drug. Organizations in violation of this policy may lose their organizational budget or recognition depending on the recommendation of the Finance Committee and/or Judicial Council and/or the Association Vice President of Student Life and Development.
