COSO stands for the Committee on Student Organizations and is a group of student dedicated to helping new student organization become established as well as providing current student organizations with the training and tools to be successful on campus. Some of COSO’s well known events include Canefest, the Spring Involvement Fair, and SOAR awards to recognize excellence in organization leadership. COSO members have a desk in the Office of Student Activities located in the University Center, room 209 and have someone present to help answer questions daily Monday through Friday 9 am – 4 pm during the academic year.

In order to start a new student organization you will need to come to the Office of Student Activities and Student Organizations in the University Center, room 209 and pick up a New Student Organization Interest Packet. Once you read the packet you will need to complete the last page that lists the prospective president, treasurer, and advisor as well as a roster of 25 prospective members that are interested in your organization. Once this is complete you will meet with the COSO Vice Chair to discuss your organization and provide you assistance with the next steps of the process.

The last day to submit a New Student Organization Interest Packet will be on March 30, 2012 in order to insure groups do not carry over from year to year. After March 30, 2012 student groups can place their name on a waiting list and will be contacted in September 2012.

For specific questions about the prospective new organization process feel free to contact the Vice Chair of COSO, Ariel Penaranda, at COSO_vicechair@miami.edu.

The COSO database is a networking tool for all student organization. You can access it by going to www.miami.edu/myumgroups. It is a great resource for finding out what events are taking place on campus, posting messages to your organization, as well as provides the ability to request membership to any of the 270+ student organization currently recognized by COSO.

By starting a new organization you have the ability to reserve rooms in the University Center, have access to the COSO database and be funded by SAFAC. An organization must be in good standing with COSO in order to receive funding.

As a first semester student you cannot start a new organization until your second semester at the University. COSO feels that your first semester should be dedicated to getting to know the 270+ student organizations as well as focusing on your academics before you take on the task of leading a student group.

Seniors are not allowed to start an organization during their last semester at the University.

Your COSO/SAFAC liaison can be viewed on the COSO database under your student organization’s profile and roster. They will be profiled at the top of the page.

Once a year we ask all current student organizations to confirm their interest in continuing to be recognized by COSO through a registration process. Registration will open on March 16, 2012 and be open until April 13, 2012. We ask all new presidents for the 2012-2013 academic year complete the registration form. The form can be accessed from the database by searching for your organization name. From here there will be a box under the organization description that states “register this organization.” You would need to click the box and fill in all of the necessary information. Please be prepared with the names, C number, UM email address, and phone number for the president, treasurer, as well as your advisor.

Organizations that fail to register by the April 13, 2012 deadline will not be allowed to participate in Canefest 2012 and will not be provide a SAFAC budget. If you are having problems with the system it is the organizations’ responsibility to meet with their COSO liaison before the April 13th deadline.

SOS stands for Student Organization Orientation Series. It is mandatory for all president and treasurers and will take place on Saturday September 10, 2011 from 12:30 – 5 pm in the University Center. If you have questions please call the Office of Student Activities and Student Organizations at 305.284.6399 or email the COSO chair at COSO_chair@miami.edu.

Failure to attend SOS will result in your organization being placed in poor standing with COSO and no longer being recognized on campus until additional requirements are met.

Both registrations for Canefest as well as the Spring Involvement fair take place on the COSO Database through a process similar to registration.

Canefest 2011 will take place on August 23, 2011 from 5-8 pm at the Bank United Center. Organization Registration is currently closed at this time.

The Spring Involvement Fair will take place on February 1, 2012 from 11 – 2pm. Rain date will be February 2, 2012 from 11-2 pm. Registration for all COSO organizations in good standing will open on December 2, 2011 and close on January 27, 2012 at 5pm.

Canefest 2012 registration will open for all Student Organizations in good standing starting on July 2, 2012 and will remain open until August 3, 2012 at 5pm.

Questions about either Canefest or the Spring Involvement Fair can be directed to the COSO Involvement Chair at COSO_involvement@miami.edu.

Coral Millican and she can be contacted at coso_chair@miami.edu.

Deanna Rella and she can be contacted at d.rella@miami.edu.