Student organizations are independent entities responsible for their own finances and business operations. Rasmussen University will not manage or hold a student organization’s money, bank accounts, or have any fiduciary responsibility for the organization. No employee of Rasmussen University will manage or hold a student organization’s money, bank accounts, or have any fiduciary responsibility for the organization.
If a student organization is a separate legal entity, then it may not use “Rasmussen,” “Rasmussen University,” or any such designation in their name that would imply that it is part of Rasmussen College, LLC d/b/a Rasmussen University or that Rasmussen College, LLC d/b/a Rasmussen University has any dominion or control over the organization or that it has affiliate status to the LLC. It may not use any trademark, service mark, or logo belonging to Rasmussen College, LLC d/b/a Rasmussen University that implies the same. It may not use an EIN belonging to Rasmussen College, LLC d/b/a Rasmussen University in any capacity. Rasmussen’s tax ID number is for business use only by the University entity.
If a student organization is an informal gathering of students that are not a separate legal entity, but gather together as groups of students based on common experience or enrollment, then all social media pages using the Rasmussen University name or logo must be approved and operated through the Rasmussen University Marketing Department: socialmedia@rasmussen.edu. All collateral merchandise using the Rasmussen University name or logo must be approved and sourced through the Rasmussen University Marketing Department.
If a student group plans to become part of a national organization, such as the National Student Nurses’ Association, then its national representatives may be able to provide additional guidance on formation. A group may engage the services of legal counsel who can provide guidance on formation.
If a student organization wishes to obtain non-profit tax exempt status, then it should conduct research into applicable state laws and IRS regulations. (For example, the Kansas Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act may require an organization to first incorporate through the state’s Secretary of State and then apply for recognition by the IRS of tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code, and then be responsible for any legal requirements for an organization of their status.)
All student organizations, whether formal or informal, must adhere to the following criteria:
Student organizations are accountable to the laws governing such activities, which vary by state. (For example: Kan. Stat. 17-1763: no charitable organization shall solicit funds in this state, nor employ a professional fund raiser to solicit funds in this state, for any charitable purpose, unless such organization has filed with the office of the secretary of state of the state of Kansas, a registered statement prior to solicitation. There may be exceptions under Kan. Stat. 17-1762 (fraternal, patriotic, social, educational, alumni organizations and historical societies when solicitation of contributions is confined to their membership) depending on the nature of the fundraising activities the student organization wishes to conduct.)
