Student Groups
Updated: July 2026
Important Update
The University of Alberta's Student Group Procedure has been replaced by Bylaw 220: Student Groups. Under this new bylaw, the University of Alberta Students' Union now plays an expanded role in supporting student groups. View Bylaw 220: Student Groups
The University of Alberta recognizes over 475 unique student groups. The range of groups on campus includes faculty- and department-based academic groups, residence associations, religious and cultural groups, recreational groups, fraternities and sororities, as well clubs based on a variety of shared interests. All recognized student groups can be found on Rubric.
The University of Alberta encourages the formation of different student groups that build community, facilitate belonging and enhance the student experience by providing the opportunity for experiential learning and leadership development. Student groups that are recognized by the University of Alberta Student's Union (UASU) must comply with Bylaw 220 and the Student Group Operating Procedure (SGOP), which outlines a group’s responsibility to follow university policies and procedures and University of Alberta Students’ Union bylaws, including submitting all events for review and approval via Rubric.
Student Group Recognition
Student groups can be recognized by the University of Alberta Students' Union or the Graduate Students' Association (GSA). Recognition by the UASU is dependent on compliance with UASU Bylaw 220: Student Group and the Student Groups Operating Policy and having a majority of undergraduate executive members. Recognition by the GSA is dependent on compliance with GSA Bylaw and Policy ‘Section N: GSA Graduate Student Groups’ and having a majority of graduate members.
With UASU and GSA recognition options, the UASU’s Student Group Services (SGS) provides a collaborative service with support from Student Success and Experience (SSE) and the Graduate Students' Association. SGS oversees a unified application process for groups seeking either UASU or GSA recognition and provides guidance and resources to all student groups, as well as privileges such as recruitment opportunities at Clubs Fair.
More information on student group registration, including details on recognition requirements and benefits of recognition, can be found on SGS’s Student Group Registration webpage.
While most student groups on campus are recognized and supported via the UASU, GSA and SSE, there are a few additional student-led activity programs such as the Club Sports Program and Engineering Project Groups. More information about these programs, including contact information, can be found on the Campus & Community Recreation and Faculty of Engineering websites, respectively.
Student Group Events
Recognized student groups hold over 3000 events for their members and invited guests each year! A listing of all publicly-advertised student group events can be found on Rubric.
If you are a student group looking to organize an event, please refer to the Event Planning page and Event Organizer Training for more information on event planning, risk management and event submission and approval.