Registered Independent Organizations (RIOs) are student organizations formed to meet the special interests of certain groups of students on campus. RIOs enhance the educational environment of the campus community by providing educational, social, cultural, recreational, governance, religious, or communication activities for students.
RIO Relationship with the University
Those interested in forming or renewing an RIO have a need to understand the relationship of RIOs to the University. The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents has established policy defining this relationship. RIOs are legally independent of the University, therefore they are not agencies of the University. The University assumes no responsibility for the activities of an RIO. Moreover, RIO leaders shall assume full responsibility for the organization’s activities and conduct of its members. [RP 7.203]
Authorized Representatives of an RIO (RIO Leaders)
Forming or renewing an RIO at UHM requires at least 6 current UHM students with a shared interest in establishing, developing, representing, and being responsible for the proposed organization. These 6 students will serve as the authorized representatives (RIO leaders) for the organization with the Office of Student Life and Development.
UHM faculty or staff members may have the same special interests as students forming or renewing an RIO and may wish to fill the role of one or more of the six authorized representatives (RIO leaders) of said RIO. When UHM faculty or staff members choose to join a RIO in this capacity, the relationship status of the RIO to the University does not change. The RIO is still independent of the University and is not an agency of the University. As a RIO leader, full responsibility documented in policy applies.
Greek Organizations and/or other National Organizations
On occasion SLD is contacted with inquiries about the process to establish a fraternity or sorority affiliated with a national organization. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa does not have a special Greek Life program, office, or process for establishing a fraternity or sorority. Since student fraternities and/or sororities meet the definition of RIOs established in policy, they are welcome to form or renew their registration using the RIO application process. National organizations (Greek life or otherwise) are welcome to work with current students to establish a local chapter. Note: SLD does not provide student contact information for national organizations or formally engage in the traditional Greek colonization process.
Forming or Renewing an RIO
All RIOs must complete the following registration steps on an annual basis to remain active:
Most organizations submit documents for registration at the beginning of the fall semester so they can be active for the full academic year. However, the Office of Student Life and Development will process applications throughout the academic year (start of the fall semester until the close of the spring semester).
If you still have some questions after reading the info on this page, SLD will be hosting weekly RIO consultation sessions. These sessions will take place on Mondays at 1-2pm from Sept. 9th to October 28th. If you are unable to attend but still have questions we are always available over email at sld@hawaii.edu.
RIO Application Review and Approval Process
Application reviews will begin on September 1st. For Current RIOs, review and approval of applications takes approximately 10 business days once the application is properly completed and moves to final review. Please plan accordingly to avoid having your organization’s registration lapse or approval delayed.
Our RIO Application Review and Approval Process is as follows:
Phase 1- Application Receipt
Phase 2- Initial Review
Phase 3- Final Review
When contacting sld@hawaii.edu for information on the status of the group’s application, it might be helpful to ask if the application is with the customer services associates (still waiting on documents or completion or requirements), the programmers (going through initial review) or at the final review process.
Approved RIOs, Update of Current RIO List
Whenever new (and renewal) organizations have been approved, the list of current RIOs on this website is updated. This weekly update to the list occurs by the end of the workday on Mondays (next business day if it is a state holiday). If there are no changes to the list from the previous week(s), no new (or renewal) organizations have been approved.
If approved, the RIO is registered until September 30th of the next academic year (fall semester approvals) or calendar year (spring semester approvals). If a RIO’s registration lapses, the RIO may lose benefits such as being able to have an organizational email address or an organizational website with UH.
Required Disclaimer
Per UH Board of Regents Policy 7.203, RIOs must include the following disclaimer in its publications and communications with third parties (this includes but is not limited to on websites, social media pages, fliers, banners, in advertisements, etc):
“Although the registered organization has members who are university students, the registered organization is independent of the university and does not represent the views of the university. The registered organization is responsible for its own contracts, acts, or omissions.”
Questions
If you have any questions or wish to check on the status of your RIO application, please contact sld@hawaii.edu.