Solutions to common problems

From Students for a Democratic Society

Problems with School Administrators

School Recognition

What do I do if my school refuses to officially recognize my chapter as a student organization?

• Luckily for us, this battle was already fought. All the way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court cases that established the right of students to form organizations of any ideology at state-supported institutions is [Healy v. James, 408 U.S. 169 (1972). This victory, hard fought by the sds chapter at Central Connecticut State College in 1972, can and should be used to pressure administrators into accepting the legitimacy of having an sds chapter on campus.

What do we do if my chapter does not want to be affiliated specifically with any school?

• That's alright, many chapters have decided instead to work as city-wide based chapters. This decision as both pros and cons.
  • Pros:
    • You don't have to go through the red-tape of the school administration in order to become an organization/chapter
    • Members can come from the broader community, not just specifically your uni/college
    • You can meet off campus
    • More flexibility
  • Cons:
    • You might not be able to table on campuses
    • Getting on to schools might be a bit more difficult
    • Fundraising will become more interesting (since you won't be able to get it from a school)