Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are a key part of the Montana State University experience. These resources provide student leaders with guidance, tools, and access to platforms that support effective organization management, event planning, leadership development, and communication.

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Platforms and Tools: 

CatsConnect

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CatsConnect is the primary platform for managing your organization.  Through CatsConnect organizations can: manage membership and officer roles, submit and promote events, track engagement and participation, and maintain organization records.

CatServe

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CatServe supports organizations involved in community service and volunteer initiatives by helping track hours, coordinate projects, and promote service opportunities. In addition, volunteers receive $15 an hour for their organization through VIM.                                                                                                                                              

Leadership Support: 

Officer and Advisor Training

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All student organization officers and advisors are required to complete the annual officer training, which provides essential information to help organizations effectively manage leadership responsibilities, planning, and organizational operations.

RSO Finances

Finance

Find guidance on securing financial support for your organization’s events and initiatives, including funding opportunities and budgeting considerations.                                                                                                                                                                          

RSO Policies

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Policies outline the guidelines and expectations for student organizations, providing a clear framework for operations, activities, and conduct within the campus community.                                                                                                                        
General Resources

    1. Overnight Travel form
      2. This is for when a club is staying overnight anywhere off-campus. There is no radius that this applies to... so if you are camping in Hyalite or staying in New York, you need to fill this form out.
      3.  ONE form per trip.
      4. Minimum 10 days in advance.
    2. Day Travel form
      2. This is for when a club is traveling anywhere off-campus for a day (no overnight stay). There is no radius that this applies to... so if you are going to a day conference in Missoula or having a club meeting at Starbucks, you need to fill this form out.
      3. ONE form per trip.
      4. Minimum 10 days in advance.
         
    Once a year, each participant in the RSO who is traveling will need to fill out the Student Organization Participant Travel Form:
    1. Student Organization Participant Travel Form
      2. This form collects emergency contact information and has a risk form.
      3. ONE form PER TRAVELING STUDENT per year.

Want Your Event Promoted Digitally?

There are a couple of ways you can promote your event through the OSE:

Digital Screens:

Only registered MSU student organizations or candidates for MSU elected office, and MSU Offices and Departments may submit graphics for the digital displays at the Dining Commons SUB Display. Advertisements will be reviewed by Office of Student Engagement to assure it complies with University policies, and reserves the right to deny any graphics that do not comply. 

  • Please email your submission as a JPEG (1920 x 1080px) @72dpi to Clara Commons.
  • Must submit advertisements at least five (5) working days prior to advertised event.
  • Advertisements making any mention of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco either implied or explicit will not be permitted or approved.
  • Advertisements will remain on the digital displays for a maximum of fourteen (14) days. MSU Departments may request an exception.

Social Media:

Looking to get more eyes on your event? The Office of Student Engagement may be able to help.

  • Invite @ose.msu as a collaborator on your Instagram post to share your event with a larger audience.
  • You can also tag @ose.msu in your posts and stories for a chance to be reshared.
  • Please submit collaboration requests several days before your event whenever possible.
  • All collaboration and repost requests are reviewed by the Office of Student Engagement and are not guaranteed.

 

Share Your MSU Involvement Story

Are you involved in a student organization, campus program, volunteer opportunity, leadership role, or other MSU experience that has helped you feel connected and engaged on campus? We'd love to hear from you!

The Office of Student Engagement is collecting student stories about involvement, belonging, and community at Montana State University. These stories may be featured on OSE social media, websites, newsletters, promotional materials, or other campus communications to showcase the many ways students find their place at MSU.

Submit your story using this link:

What We're Looking For

  • Experiences that highlight student involvement and engagement
  • Stories about finding community, friendships, leadership opportunities, or personal growth
  • Perspectives from a wide variety of student organizations and campus experiences
  • Photos related to your involvement (optional)

A Few Notes

  • We strive to represent the broad range of student experiences and involvement opportunities available at MSU.
  • Submission of a story does not guarantee it will be featured.
  • Selected stories may be edited for length, clarity, and style.
  • By submitting content, you grant the Office of Student Engagement permission to use your story and any accompanying photos for promotional purposes.

Your story could help another student discover their place at MSU. We'd love to hear it!

Frequently Asked Questions

If your group has a specific interest area, start looking in departments that may align with that interest (such as a food club, look in the Nutrition program). You can also ask your professors and any staff you already have connections with about their interest in advising your group. If they don’t want to be your advisor, they may know of someone who does. You can also email engagement@montana.edu and we can post an annoucement to MSU Today.

The name, logos, and team name (“Bobcats”) are registered and protected trademarks of Montana State University which may not be used without the express permission of Montana State University. This policy helps to ensure immediate recognition, the maintenance of appropriateness, and the prevention of commercial use without compensation to the University. Student Organizations are not official groups endorsed by MSU and therefore are not able to use the name. If you want more detailed information, please refer to official policy found on the Use of University Name and Logos page.

  1. Send an email to engagement@montana.edu to let us know. This will take you off our club directory and listservs.
  2. You will need to close your bank account. Please discuss with them how to do that.  If there is money in there, you have two options:
    1. Donate to another club.
    2. Give to the Office of Student Engagement and we will put in the club funding pool.
  3. If you have any social media or websites, please take them down.

Email our Clubs and Involvement Programs Coordinator, Clara Commons and she will be happy to help brainstorm with you! 

Book a navMSU meeting with me!