Organization Recognition & Affiliation

Viterbi has 50+ student organizations dedicated to the engineering student experience. These organizations range from academically focused by major, to design or competition teams, special interest groups, honor societies, and more. In addition, USC is home to 1000+ student organizations across the campus.

Student org event in front of campus

Affiliation Criteria

Viterbi Admission & Student Engagement will review each organization’s application to determine if they will be granted Viterbi affiliation. To be Viterbi-affiliated, student organizations must:

  • Be a USC Recognized Student Organization (RSO) for the current academic year.
  • Demonstrate a clear connection and benefit to Viterbi students and/or the field of engineering.
  • Not replicate the purpose of an existing Viterbi-affiliated organization.
  • Have a majority (50% + 1) of interested members be engineering students.
    *If student organizations do not have a majority of engineering students as members but meet the other criteria, they will be granted partial affiliation and can take advantage of all benefits below EXCEPT Viterbi funding.

Student Organization Responsibilities

In order to remain a Viterbi-affiliated student organization, the following criteria must be met during the academic year:

  • Follow regulations and rules for student organizations established by USC and Viterbi.
  • Submit an annual report during spring semester (April 1).
  • Attend all Viterbi Presidents Council (VPC) meetings.
  • Participate in the VPC Retreat, held in the beginning of the fall semester.
  • Coordinate, co-sponsor, or participate in an event or program during E-Week.
  • Participate in Viterbi-wide student organization fairs:
    • Fall – New Student Welcome/Get Connected! (week before classes begin)
    • Spring – Get Connected! (January)

Benefits of Viterbi Affiliation

The benefits of being a Viterbi-affiliated student organization include:

  • Opportunity to apply for additional funding from Viterbi Admission & Student Engagement via the Viterbi Funding Board.
  • Ability to post ads on Viterbi digital signage.
  • Ability to submit nominations for outstanding student organization/design team and have the opportunity to attend the Viterbi Undergraduate Awards.

Annual Reports

As part of your Viterbi affiliation, all student organizations must submit an annual report. This report helps you reflect on achievements and prepare for the next year.

1

Key Deadlines & Submission

Cover activities from April 30, 2022 to the present. Submit your PDF by Thursday, March 24th, 2023, 11:59pm using the filename “orgname_Annual Report_2023”.

Submit Report on Airtable

Reports received on time are eligible for the Viterbi Outstanding Student Organization Award and Best Design Team Award. Late reports will not be considered for awards. Groups failing to submit by May 5, 2023, 11:59pm lose access to Viterbi Funding Board funds for the 2023-2024 year.

2

Award Criteria

Judges consider the following:

Quality & Variety: Range of programs that enhance student life.

Involvement: Percentage of members actively engaged.

Engineering Representation: Total number of engineering students and the percentage of women on the e-board.

Report Clarity: Thoroughness, adherence to guidelines, and overall presentation.

3

Required Sections

I. Cover Page
Include your organization’s name, date, and any relevant branding.

II. Table of Contents
List major sections of the report for quick reference.

III. Organization Overview
Provide a brief mission, e-board composition (include % of women engineers), total membership, and contact info.

IV. Organizational Goals
Summarize goals for this reporting period and how you met them.

V. Report of Activities
For each event, list date, title, type, audience, description, marketing, attendance, and sponsors. If co-hosted, identify the lead organization and your role.

VI. Transition Plan
Explain how processes and documents pass to new leadership.

VII. Donor Solicitation Info
Include your current donor package, sponsor list (with amounts & contacts), and future fundraising plans.

VIII. Appendix (Optional)
Attach flyers, brochures, or supporting documents.

4

Additional Info

Joint Ventures: If an event is co-hosted, specify the lead organization and your role.

Event Types: Classify each event as Professional, Outreach/Volunteering, Job Search, Social, Miscellaneous, or Upcoming. If none in a category, state “None.”

Funding Disclosure: If an event received external funding, note it under donor solicitation details or co-sponsor info.

Volunteer Hours: For Outreach/Volunteering, include total hours and number of participants.

Travel & Waiver Information

Which waivers do I need?

To figure out which waivers your members need to fill out for an event or activity, follow these questions:

  1. 1. Is your event/activity off campus?
    No: Consider the general liability waiver for each participant if your event involves any risk or potential injury.
    Yes: Fill out one student travel form and move to question #2.
    On the student travel form, list one person going on the trip and one person in Los Angeles as your emergency contacts in case of outside emergencies.
  2. 2. Are you receiving any university funding? (usg, vfb, sos, etc.)
    No: Each participant needs to fill out a general liability waiver plus the assumption of risk for events not sponsored or supervised by usc.
    Yes: Move to question #3 (your event is university sponsored).
  3. 3. How are you getting there?
    individual cars/public transportation/walking/etc.: Each participant must fill out a general liability waiver plus the student self-transportation waiver.

    bus or group transportation: Participants taking a bus fill out a general liability waiver plus the agreement and release from liability for off-campus site visit. Participants not taking a bus (but there is a bus) fill out the general liability waiver plus the alternative transportation waiver.

Forms

  • general liability waiver
    (no witness signature needed if 18 or older)
  • all transportation waivers
    (parent or guardian signature needed only if under 18)

Submitting your forms

All waivers must be submitted to the RTH 110 front desk before your departure. RTH 110 is open during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8:30–5:00), so plan ahead for weekend events!

Protection from liability

Proper waivers offer your organization limited liability coverage, but it’s up to you to use good judgment and communicate all potential risks. These waivers aren’t a “free pass” to operate outside university guidelines.

International travel

Additional steps are required for travel outside the country. Detailed guidelines for student-led international travel are in the USC Student Handbook .

Design team release of liability

Each design team member must complete a release of liability (covers the entire academic year). Submit all forms and a membership roster to RTH 110 at the start of each year before accessing Viterbi funding. Additional waivers may be required for off-campus design team events.

Additional Information

Below are helpful links and resources for planning, funding, scheduling, and more. Explore these pages to ensure your organization meets all necessary guidelines and takes advantage of available support.

USC Scheduling Office

Learn about classroom & venue scheduling for your meetings, events, and activities across USC.

Visit Scheduling Office

USC Funding Resource

Campus Activities offers funding options for recognized student organizations, plus guidelines and application info.

Explore USC Funding

Viterbi Funding Resources

Discover specific funding avenues for Viterbi-affiliated student organizations, including Viterbi Funding Board and more.

View Viterbi Funding

Account Expense Form

Use this PDF form to manage and track your organization’s expenses and reimbursements.

Download Form

Fundraising Policies

Before raising funds or soliciting donors, ensure your organization complies with official USC policies.

Read Policies

Viterbi Events Calendar

Register for a Viterbi events calendar account to post your org’s upcoming events and reach a wider audience.

Register Now

Travel & Waiver Info

Access policies and guidelines for student-led group travel, including forms, waivers, and best practices.

View Guidelines

International Travel Policies

Review official USC regulations for student organization travel outside the U.S. to stay compliant and prepared.

Learn More
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Published on March 17th, 2025Last updated on March 17th, 2025