Student Activities and Organizations

Hinds Community College promotes and provides several student publications and a wide variety of activities and organizations. These groups include religious, social, service, academic and interest orientations to meet student needs. Campus or center student organizations, managed by students under faculty guidance, afford opportunities for growth in character, citizenship, leadership, and social poise. The activities, organizations, and publications are listed according to availability at a respective campus, branch or center. See complete listings and the Student Publications Policy in the Student Handbook.  Sexual misconduct policy and disciplinary procedures are also listed in the Student Handbook.

Student Organizations

Statement of Student Participation in Institutional Affairs

The students of Hinds Community College are afforded the right of participation in the College’s affairs via the Student Government. Recommendations passed by the Student Government are forwarded to the District Dean of Student Services for consideration by the District Student Services Council. The District Dean of Student Services then forwards the recommendations to the appropriate council for consideration, and they are then forwarded to the President of the College for his decision.

Student Government Association

The associated student body consists of all students enrolled in Hinds Community College. The Student Government Association (SGA) serves the student body by presenting student input through elections, special activities, intramurals, clubs, organizations, local senates, and SGA Committees.

Each local senate is a part of the Student Government Association. Therefore, each local senate is governed by the Student Government Association Constitution which governs all local senates and their own bylaws. Each local senate shall be responsible for choosing representatives to the Student Government Association. Members of the Student Government Association must maintain a per semester grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. For more information, contact the Operating Dean at the respective location, the District SGA Advisor at 601.857.3464 or the District Dean of Student Services at 601.885.7001.

The number of representatives a location will have in the Student Government Association shall be determined annually from the percentage of each location’s contribution to the total postsecondary enrollment for the preceding fall semester of all campuses represented. The number of representatives shall be exactly twenty-four (24) and the number of representatives from each location will vary with the incorporation of additional local senates into the Student Government Association. (See each location section in the Student Handbook for information concerning local senates.)

Student Elections Committee

The Election Committee shall directly assist the District Dean of Student Services and/or the District Director of Student Activities in the election process by working at the polls and counting votes. This committee will also make provisions for all locations designated by the Student Activities Director to participate in Homecoming. Participation shall include voting in and actually competing in any election for Homecoming Queen and Court.

Organizing a New Organization

Any (all) potentially new organizations or clubs must complete an Application for a Proposed Student Organization by initiating sponsor and submit to the Director of Student Activities or designated official. Applications for Proposed Student Organization forms are available from the District Director of Student Activities.

Registration of Organization/Officer Roster/Constitution

Each year all organizations which wish to remain active organizations on Campus must register their desire by completing a form which lists the current officers and the faculty advisor. It is the newly elected president’s responsibility to file the roster of newly elected officers with the Division of Student Services within ten (10) days of election. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in a loss of recognition on Campus. New officers should check to see that the constitution on file is current. Student organizations shall furnish to the Division of Student Services, upon request, any information which it considers necessary for administration such as constitution, list of officers, faculty advisor, schedule of activities, etc.

Advisor(s)/Sponsor(s)

All student organizations shall have one or more advisors of the faculty, staff, or administration who maintain contact with the organization’s activities and functions. Serving as an advisor is an active responsibility which includes supervising all activities, events, fund raising, community service and campus financial account. Financial accounts are to be signed by two persons (advisor, officer, dean or department head). Faculty/staff advisors should be thoroughly acquainted with the objectives and policies of the College. His/her participation with the organization is an important mentor relationship where the advisor gives advice and assistance that is welcomed by the student group(s) and that regulation and control be limited to the minimum necessary to protect freedom of expression, democratic process, and compliance with College policy.

Regulations for Student Organizations

1. A faculty sponsor(s) must be present at all meetings and activities of student organizations.
2. Requests for regularly scheduled meetings should be submitted to the District Director of Student Activities or designated official for approval and then to the Facilities Use Coordinator. Activity Approval Forms are due no later than five (5) days prior to the event.
3. Requests for special events, social activities, off-campus speakers, fundraising, petitions, demonstrations, or concessions should be approved by Sponsor and then by the District Director of Student Activities, Campus Dean or designated official. The Dean of Students, Vice President and President must also approve off-campus speakers.
4. Any special activity or event must have a sponsor or an approved full-time employee and Campus police or security present. When the event(s) are after normal work hours (after 4:30 p.m. and weekends) and involve activities that are open to the general public or involve dances, concerts, or other social events, uniformed security/police must be provided and approved by the District Campus Police Chief. The organization sponsoring the event must pay the officer(s) at a rate to be determined by the District Police Chief and District Dean of Students. Request for security must be submitted in writing to the District Police Chief within five (5) school days prior to the scheduled activity or event.
5. An organization failing to remain active for a period of one (1) calendar year will be subject to review by the Local Student Services Committee for the purpose of making a recommendation for reinstatement or deletion of said organization.
6. All student organizations must maintain all funds in their own on-campus account. Financial transactions must be signed by the faculty advisor.
7. All student activities or club trips must have a school sponsor or a school approved chaperone on the bus at all times. This policy must be adhered to or the district will not furnish transportation vehicles.
8. Any student or student group who uses a facility or grounds of the college without proper written authorization is subject to immediate removal and is subject to disciplinary action.
9. A student organization/club (group) may be disciplined for any act that violates school policy.

Regulations for Signs and Posters on Campus

1. Approved signs and posters may be placed on bulletin boards.
2. The attaching of any sign, poster, or notice to a glass, interior or exterior wall, trees, light poles, pipes, trash cans, painted surface, etc. with tape or tack is prohibited.
3. Approved signs and posters may be displayed for a period of time not to exceed two (2) weeks. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring party to remove and dispose of the sign and stick.
4. Approval for campus clubs and organizations signage may be obtained from the Dean, Assistant Dean or the District Director of Student Activities or from designated official at location attended.

Regulations for Speakers from Off-Campus

1. A request to invite an outside speaker will be considered only when made by an organized student or faculty group recognized by the head of the College.
2. No invitation by such organized group shall be issued to an outside speaker without prior written concurrence by the District Director of Student Activities or Dean of Students or location Dean for scheduling of speaker, dates, and assignments of Campus facilities. This college representative will secure final approval of the Vice President and President.
3. Any speaker request shall be made in writing by an officer of the student or faculty organization desiring to sponsor the proposed speaker not later than ten (10) calendar days prior to the date of the proposed speaking engagement. This request shall contain the name of the sponsoring organization, the proposed date, time, and location of the meeting, and the expected size of the audience.

Campus Solicitation Regulations (Sales, political activities, flyers, etc.)

Campus solicitation of students/student organizations or by students/student organizations includes: selling of goods or services, political activities, posters, handouts, and unrecognized group membership canvas. This definition applies to activities by any on-campus or off-campus individual or group. Private business or solicitation may not be conducted on College premises, residence halls, or academic buildings except when a student organization has requested a particular service and when such service is directly relevant to the purpose of that organization. Ten days prior approval must be obtained. Such requests must be directed to the Dean of Students or location dean and must meet the following conditions:

1. Activities do not conflict with the educational purposes of the College.
2. No door-to-door solicitation is permitted in academic or administrative buildings.
3. No disruption of traffic either vehicular or pedestrian is involved.
4. Funds derived from activities must be used for purposes consistent with the goals of the organization. A detailed written report of funds raised for club activities must be submitted to the campus director of Student Activities or Dean of Students.
5. Campus mail may not be used for political or religious information or fund-raising.
6. Request must be approved forty-eight (48) hours in advance of activity.
7. Policies (i.e. residence hall regulations) governing solicitation in non-academic and academic areas must be followed.
8. Activities held outside on campus grounds/premises must be restricted to a specified and acceptable area.
9. Appropriate legal action may be taken against individuals and non-college affiliates refusing to comply with regulations.

Student Grievance Procedure

A process is in place to assist students with questions or concerns related to student life (classroom instruction or non-classroom related).  The complete grievance procedure is located in the Student Handbook. 

Intercollegiate Athletics

Hinds Community College is a member of the Mississippi Junior College Athletic Association and National Junior College Athletic Association. Varsity Athletics include: Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Baseball, Fast Pitch Softball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Golf, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Track and Women’s Cross Country. Varsity Athletics are open to students from any of the Hinds Community College campuses. For more information, see the Scholarship  section of this publication or contact the Athletic Department at 601.857.3325.