Student Groups
Updated: August 2024
The University of Alberta recognizes over 450 unique student groups. The range of groups on campus includes faculty- and department-based academic groups, residence associations, religious and cultural groups, recreational groups, as well clubs based on a variety of shared interests. Fraternity and sorority chapters are also recognized as student groups and are governed by one of two councils: the Interfraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Council. All recognized student groups can be found on BearsDen.
The university encourages the formation of different student groups that build community and enhance the student experience by providing the opportunity for experiential learning and leadership development. Student groups that are recognized by the university are subject to and must comply with the Student Groups Procedure, which outlines a group’s responsibility to follow university policies and procedures, including submitting all events for review and approval by the Student Affairs Team in the Office of the Dean of Students.
Student Group Recognition
Student groups can be recognized by the University of Alberta and most can also be recognized by either the University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) or the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). Recognition by the UASU is dependent on compliance with UASU Bylaw 5100: Student Group Conduct and having a majority of either undergraduate members and recognition by the GSA is dependent on compliance with GSA Bylaw and Policy ‘Section N: GSA Graduate Student Groups’ and having a majority of graduate members.
With university and both UASU and GSA recognition options, the UASU’s Student Group Services (SGS) provides a collaborative service with support from the Office of the Dean of Students and the Graduate Students' Association (GSA). SGS oversees a unified application process for groups seeking university and either UASU or GSA recognition and provides guidance and resources to all student groups, as well as privileges such as recruitment opportunities at Clubs Fair.
More information on student group registration, including details on recognition requirements and benefits of recognition, can be found on SGS’s Student Group Registration webpage.
While most student groups on campus are recognized and supported via the Office of the Dean of Students, UASU, and GSA, there are a few additional student group programs such as the Club Sports Program and Engineering Project Groups. More information about these programs, including contact information, can be found on the Campus & Community Recreation and Faculty of Engineering websites, respectively.
Student Group Events
Recognized student groups hold over 2500 events for their members and invited guests each year! A listing of all publicly-advertised student group events can be found on BearsDen or the Corq mobile app.
If you are a student group looking to organize an event, please refer to the Event Planning page and Event Organizer Training for more information on event planning, risk management, and event submission and approval.