Individuals interested in starting a new club sport offering at Penn State Altoona must work in conjunction with the Department of Recreation and the Office of Student Life in order to have a club sport formally recognized on campus. The following is an excerpt of becoming a club sport are outlined in the Penn State Altoona Club Sports Handbook.

Definition

Club sport organizations at The Pennsylvania State University shall be defined as participation-based student organizations whose members meet regularly to pursue an interest in sport or physical activity.

Recognition Criteria

A student organization must meet all of the following criteria to be recognized as a club sport organization:

  1. The organization must meet the requirements of a recognized student organization, as defined by the Office of Student Life
  2. The organization must meet the definition of a club sport
  3. The organization’s primary activity must not duplicate that of an existing club sport organization
  4. The organization must offer an activity that falls within acceptable safety guidelines, using the ROW Assessment Tool, as determined by the Club Sports Program Staff, and the offices of Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety
  5. The organization must offer activities for which approved space is available
  6. The primary activity of the organization must involve physical activity and may involve competition
  7. The organization must have a minimum of 10 full-time student members
  8. Full-time Pennsylvania State University, University Park students must comprise at least 51% of the membership of the organization
  9. Full-time Pennsylvania State University, University Park students must fill the leadership roles within the organization
  10. Only full-time Pennsylvania State University, University Park students may travel and compete on behalf of University Park Club Sport organizations a. Exemptions to this rule may be made if a student is completing her/her final semester prior to graduation, and requires less than 12 credits (undergraduate) or 9 credits (graduate) for graduation.
  11. All organizational decisions must be made by full-time student, elected leaders a. Membership in the organization must be open to all Pennsylvania State University, University Park students, faculty, and staff.
    1. The organization’s membership may be exclusively men, exclusively women, or mixed.
    2. The organization may not exclude any Pennsylvania State University, University Park students on any basis other than gender, if the club is exclusively men or women, or disciplinary cause.

Petitioning Process for Potential Club Sport Organizations

  1. Groups attempting to be recognized as a club sport organization must submit a proposal to the Director of Recreation. The proposal must include all of the following:
    1. A written statement justifying the potential organization and why it should be accepted as a Penn State Altoona club sport organization
    2. A written statement explaining the differences between the potential club sport organization and any similar existing club sport organizations
    3. A written statement describing the potential club sport organization’s activities, and the space requirements for such activities
    4. A written constitution for the potential club sport organization that meets the requirements of the Office of Student Life
    5. Written listing of names, phone numbers, email addresses, and position of officers of possible student leaders for the potential club sport organization.
  2. Upon receipt of all required documents, the Director of Recreation will review the proposal and constitution, providing any feedback necessary to the individual(s) making the request, and score the activity using the ROW Assessment Tool to determine if the activity meets acceptable risk management and safety standards of The Pennsylvania State University.
  3. The individuals will receive written notification as to the outcome of their request. If denied, the students will be notified as to why the activity does not meet the above mentioned standards, such as risk, duplication of activity, etc. If approved by the Director of Recreation, the department will work with the Office of Student Life to continue the clubs acceptance process. The Student Government Association must review and formally vote on the acceptance of the club sport as a student organization of Penn State Altoona with all the benefits and responsibilities that come with this recognition.
  4. If voted in favor of acceptance by the SGA, then the group will officially be recognized as a Penn State Altoona Club Sport and Student Organization. Upon recognition the new club sport organization must complete all necessary Annual Activation Requirements as detailed in the Penn State Altoona Club Sports Handbook.

Club sport organizations may not engage in any organizational activity until all Club Sport Programs Annual Activation Requirements have been completed and the club is notified that it has achieved “active” status.