RSO Accreditation

Members of the campus community pick from a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at the The People’s Farm student organization food stand set up on East Campus Mall.

The RSO Accreditation Process provides structure and encourages registered student organizations at UW–Madison to intentionally invest in their members’ experience and growth. Accreditation is an acknowledgment of the ways they are creating an excellent student organization experience.

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Accreditation Process

Enroll

Complete your typical RSO registration process. RSOs participating in the Accreditation program need to be approved by Freeze Day.

Fill out the RSO Accreditation Enrollment form by Freeze Day, October 23, 2026. You will then be added to the Canvas course where Accreditation requirements are tracked.

Complete

Accept the invitation to join the Canvas course, along with any other RSO members who will be completing requirements. Together, you will be collectively asked to contribute towards assignments and requirements.

Your organization must complete all Canvas assignments by Accreditation Day in November (November 13, 2026).

Continue

After Accreditation Day, your organization can access your benefits as an Accredited RSO! To maintain your accreditation status, your organization must remain in compliance with the RSO Code of Conduct and SOLI procedures, and participate in accreditation workshops and requirements each semester.

Requirements

Complete by November 13, 2026

  • Enroll in the RSO Accreditation program by October 23rd. Accept the Canvas course invitation and familiarize yourself with the program requirements.
  • Two members attend one learning opportunity (such as the RSO Resource Open House, WI-LEAD workshop, or Student Org Success Workshops) and submit a reflection on Canvas.
  • RSO membership roster audited and updated on Wisconsin Involvement Network (WIN).
  • Two members attend at least one event held by a different RSO and submit a reflection.

Complete by April 30, 2027

  • Two members attend a second learning opportunity (such as a WI-LEAD workshop or Student Org Success Workshops) and submit a reflection on Canvas.
  • Hold a leadership development activity/event for general RSO members.
  • Two members attend at least one additional event held by a different RSO and submit a reflection.
  • Complete an officer transition activity/event when your RSO transitions officers for the next year.
  • Complete an end-of-year inventory & reflection form about your RSO’s activities and operations.

Benefits

Following Accreditation, RSOs have access to these benefits:

  • Ability to apply for more funding from SOLI-managed grants such as the Wisconsin Experience Grant ($2,200 vs. $2,000), Find Your People Grant ($500 vs. $400), and the RSO Wellness Grant ($5,000 vs. $4,000).
  • Discounted rentals from the RSO Print and Resource Center.
  • Support in advertising your organization and events.
  • Option for Priority Organization Fair table location.
  • Ability to send an additional mass email each semester.
  • Accredited RSO Networking Events (such as the hospitality suite at the Org Fair).
  • Ability to apply for the Accredited RSO of the Year Bucky Award.
Group of 5 students sitting at a table with laptops in a discussion.

Important Dates & FAQs

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The initial accreditation process may be quite simple for some well-established organizations. It would depend on the processes and programs already in place within your organization. Review the requirements with your leadership team and advisor before determining if it is a good fit for your organization.

While becoming an Accredited organization engages RSO leadership most directly, it is a collaborative effort that requires many members of the organization to work together. As such, during the accreditation process, we will ask organizations to provide a variety of materials and reflections from different members. If only one or two members of the organization are interested in accreditation, we suggest they pivot toward the individual leadership certificate.

Yes! Your organization is not expected to recreate programs you already have in place. We will provide examples of ways your organization could meet many of the Accreditation requirements, but if you have something that you think might meet requirements, reach out to our team. We’re happy to review the activity and are always looking for additional programs and partners that support RSOs.

No, it is generally a process that allows organizations that want to intentionally invest in creating an excellent student organization experience to opt in. Some Dual Registration partners may require their organizations to be Accredited, or may be automatically Accredited by the requirement of the Dual Registration partner.

Accreditation only happens once a year. If you are a new organization, did not complete your registration on time, or missed some accreditation requirements, your organization will need to wait until the following academic year to become accredited.

It would depend on the requirement. For example, you can’t count another organization’s event or program if you are already part of it. More guidelines are provided in the Canvas course.

Absolutely! Many students who receive the Leadership Certificate use time in their student organizations to meet the requirements. During your Leadership Advising meeting, your peer advisor can help you connect the Accreditation requirements to the Certificate requirements.

Important Dates

  • July 6, 2026: Registration opens for Dual Registered RSOs.
  • August 3, 2026: Registration opens for all other RSOs.
  • October 23, 2026: Freeze Day and last day to enroll in the Accreditation process for the 2026-2027 school year.
  • November 13, 2026: Accreditation Day – all materials for requirements 1-4 must be submitted
  • April 30, 2027: Last day to submit materials for the remaining requirements to remain accredited through the beginning of the next Fall semester (i.e., Fall RSO Fair).