Columbia Business School MBA Students » Student Life » Student Leader Resources » Club/Cluster Resources » Club & Cluster Governance

Club & Cluster Governance

Due to COVID-19, normal policies and procedures will be impacted. Any changes will be communicated with club leadership. 

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The Office of Student Affairs works with all student organizations, including Student Government, to support student leaders, ensure successful events and meet organizational goals.

All organizations must abide by all Columbia Business School and Columbia University policies noted in the Office of Student Affairs MBA Handbook and noted on the Columbia University Policies website.

TYPES OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Clusters
  • A cluster is a group formed at the beginning of the Columbia Business School experience. Students are grouped together based off of various elements of their personal, education and career background.
    • Fall term: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
    • J-Term: X, Y, Z
Clubs
  • A club is an officially recognized student organization approved by the Student Government and the Office of Student Affairs. Students can join via paid dues during Open Club Membership periods.
  • Types of Clubs [See definitions]:
    • Affinity
    • Athletic
    • Community Service
    • International
    • Professional
    • Social
Leadership Boards/Organizations
  • A leadership board/organization is an officially recognized student organization that typically works alongside or is part of a department or center. Students often have to apply, interview or be voted into leadership positions.
  • Types of Leadership Boards/Organizations:
    • Bernstein Leadership Board
    • CBS Reflects
    • CMC Fellows
    • Hermes Society
    • Peer Advisors
    • Silfen Advisory Board
    • Student Government

BENEFITS OF BEING A RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATION

  • CBS Brand & Space
  • Financial Funding & Support
  • Access to World-Class Staff & Faculty
  • Membership Recruitment Opportunities 
  • FULL DETAILED BREAKDOWN HERE.

GOVERNANCE

Cluster Governance
  • First year Cluster elections are held during the fall semester.
  • Clusters are given $6,000 at the start of their first term by the Office of Student Affairs.
  • Cluster funds may be used in accordance with Columbia University finance policies.
  • Click here for required cluster leadership positions.
Club Governance and Membership
  • Club executive boards are required to have the following positions: President, Vice President of Events and Vice President of Finance. Additional positions are at the discretion of the club. Click here for full list and recommendations.
  • Club membership is open to all MBA, EMBA, M.S. & Ph.D. Business School Students
  • Dual degree students may join clubs at the beginning of their residency at CBS
  • Exchange students are eligible for club membership during their time at CBS.
  • Non-Business School students may not join clubs and may be able to attend non-member events at the discretion of club leadership
Club Elections
  • Click here for election timelines.
  • Click here for approved election types.
  • Click here for Campus Groups Election FAQs.
Club Dues
  • Please connect with your OSA advisor for information.

All current clubs will be subject to various checkpoints throughout the academic year as an indicator of organizational success. At the recommendation of your OSA Advisor or the Student Government VP of Clubs, a sanction may be applied to your club in the event of a breach of policy or procedure as outlined below. Multiple sanction occurrences as stated in the list below will ultimately lead to the deactivation of your club. 

Note that cluster leadership that  violate policies or procedures will be subject to a meeting with your OSA cluster advisor and will be subject to losing budget and room reservation privledges. 

Organizational Success Checkpoints
  • Completion of required student organization leadership trainings and on-boarding checklists (online and in-person)
  • Completion of required state mandated/Columbia University mandated student organization trainings 
  • Completion of required Campus Groups portal renewal 
  • Mandatory participation in Fall and Spring Club Day
  • Adherence to student organization governing policies and procedures
  • Adherence to financial planning policies and procedures
Sanction List
  1. E-mail warning from OSA advisor
  2. In-person meeting with OSA advisor to review sanction and speak about potential solutions
  3. Student Organization Freeze
    • Loss of recognized student organization capabilities such as booking space, using budget, etc. 
    • Email from OSA advisor will be sent to university partners with club status update
  4. Student Organization deactivation
    • Email from OSA advisor will be sent to current club members 
    • Dues paying member options will be evaluated at the time of deactivation

All current student organizations have the option of not renewing their organizations for the next academic year. Student leaders have multiple options when looking to sunset their organization.

Note that student organizations that do not elect required leadership positions for the following academic year will automatically be deactivated. Deactivated clubs with interest in the next academic year will be subject to the new club application process.

Club Sunset Process
  • Current student leadership will meet with the organization’s OSA club advisor to determine next steps:
    • Communication to current club members
    • Eligible membership refunds*
    • Status of organization budget**
  • Upon finalization, OSA will communicate with university partners of club status.
*Refunds will be dependent on factors that impact the organization such as type/time of year/if memberships are eligible to be transferred to other clubs. For example, students who join clubs who shut down within the first semester may be eligible for refunds or membership transfers. Clubs who shut down after spring break may not be eligible for membership transfers. 

**Funding will remain in organization account for a limited time in the event of a re-activation
 
Club Merger Process
Merging exsisting clubs can be a viable alternative for clubs that have been impacted by potential factors such as:
  • Financial Sustainability 
  • Industry Trends
  • Lack of student participation 
  • Content Overlap
  • Large percentage of membership overlap
The merger process is a collaborative effort between club leadership, Student Government and the Office of Student Affairs. Please review the club merger checklist and application below. Reach out to your OSA advisor and/or Alisha Magnus-Louis, VP of Clubs for questions.