University of Wisconsin–Madison

RSO Reinstatement Process

Updated: October 2025

This process is intended to provide a framework for allowing former Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at UW-Madison, who had departed campus recognition or otherwise ceased operation while involved with, or as a result of, organizational misconduct investigations. Any organization terminated through the Registered Student Organization misconduct process or disassociated from institutional recognition during a conduct process must follow this process to be reinstated as an RSO. Additionally, governing groups, departments, or other recognition entities may have processes that run concurrently with, or are dependent upon a decision from, this process to complete recognition.

This process is provided as an opportunity for RSOs who have had their recognition permanently removed as a result of misconduct or gave up their recognition during a conduct process to again gain recognition. As such, there are no explicit rights or responsibilities applicable to the process.

It is highly encouraged that organizations interested in undertaking this process should reach out to Aaron Vieth (avieth@wisc.edu) – Office of Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement.

Petition for Reinstatement

Dates and deadlines outlined in this document may be changed at the discretion of the Reinstatement Review Committee.

I. Reinstatement Review Committee

A. The Reinstatement Review Committee shall:

  1. Be responsible for setting all pertinent regulations, timelines, and steps related to this process;
  2. Review all completed petitions for reinstatement; and
  3. Provide a written decision to the petitioning organization as a result of review and presentation of any petition for reinstatement.

B: Membership

  1. Standing Members of the Reinstatement Review Committee shall include the following (or their designee):
    • Director of the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (SOLI);
    • Director of UW Conferences and Events;
    • Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS);
    • Associate Vice Chancellor – Leadership & Engagement;
    • Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL);
    • Associate Director of Programs, Rec Well;
    • Student from the body that hears RSO misconduct cases; and
    • Student appointee from VCSA in consultation with ASM.
  2. Additional review committee members may be added in the event a petitioning organization is affiliated with, or impacts services provided by a: department, college, school, governing council, or similar group.

II: Petition Process

A. Petition Submission

  1. Petitions will be considered twice per academic year.
    • To be considered in the Fall semester, a petition must be submitted in full by the end of the first weekday of October in that Fall semester.
    • To be considered in the Spring semester, a petition must be submitted in full by the end of the first weekday of February in that Spring semester.
  2. Details pertaining to the petition submission and the form for submission, including required documentation, can be found at: https://cglink.me/26M/s62.

B. Petition Review

  1. In the event that the Reinstatement Review Committee finds sufficient support for a petitioning organization to be considered for reinstatement, as a result of reviewing the petition content, the committee shall schedule a presentation for the organization’s representative(s).
  2. A presentation for the petitioning organization shall generally be conducted no later than the first weekday of December (Fall submission) or the first weekday of April (Spring submission).
  3. In the event insufficient support to be considered for reinstatement is provided after review by the Reinstatement Review Committee, the petition will be denied.

C. Presentation

  1. The presentation will allow for the petitioning organization to present information about their consideration for return to campus and allow for Reinstatement Review Committee members to ask any clarifying questions. The Reinstatement Review Committee will consider and
    identify key stakeholders that may participate in portions of the presentation and question process.
  2. Following the presentation, at least one Q&A session will be held.
  3. The Reinstatement Review Committee can request follow up meetings as needed to clarify information with involved parties.

D. Decision

  1. If a petition is submitted for consideration during a Fall semester, the Reinstatement Review Committee shall deliver a final decision to the petitioning organization generally no later than the first weekday of February following that Fall semester. If a petition is submitted for consideration during a Spring semester, the Reinstatement Review Committee shall deliver a final decision to the petitioning organization generally no later than the first weekday of June following that Spring semester.
  2. Decisions made by the Reinstatement Review Committee for a submitted petition are final and shall stand until the next petition deadline and presentation cycle. This decision could include a series of conditions for reinstatement including the earliest date at which the organization could be recognized again.