Services Available to Student Organizations

Student organizations which are officially recognized and registered with the Office of Student Activities have the following privileges and services:

1. They may reserve space on campus for meetings and other functions.
2. They may apply for office space in the Union.
3. They are invited to attend all of the student organization leadership development workshops offered by the professionals of the Student Activities staff.
4. They may request an organization mailbox in the Union Information Center.
5. They may reserve the display cases and windows to advertise their events.
6. They may get professional advice relative to program planning, budgeting, fund raising, organization operations, leadership skills, promotion/publicity, and several other areas of concern to student organizations from the Student Activities staff.
7. They may receive assistance in selecting an advisor.
8. They are eligible for assistance in becoming officially recognized and registered.
9. They may use Union audio visual equipment when their events are held in the Union.
10. They may request assistance from the Union graphics area in preparing flyers, posters and other publicity.

Governing Bodies
In accordance with the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, all student organizations must first be recognized by the Student Government Association via the Office of Student Activities and then must register annually with the Office of Student Activities, in Room 305 of the Duquesne Union. (See Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, Article II, for policy and procedure.)

Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) is a student-elected structure designed to provide a forum for the expression of student views and interests, to maintain academic freedom and responsibility as well as student rights, and to foster intelligent interest and participation in all phases of University life. A major function of the SGA is to appoint student representatives to important University committees, including the Board of Directors, University Budget Committee, the Academic Council, and the Student Life Advisory Committee. The SGA is composed of the Executive Board and the Senate. Members of the Executive Board are the President, Vice President for Student Life, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Financial Affairs and Vice President for Communications. The Senate of the SGA is composed of representatives elected from the various schools of the University.

Another important facet of the SGA lies in its committee structure. Through these committees, information is gathered, ideas formulated, and proposals presented to the Senate for acceptance. One of the most important committees of the SGA is the appropriations committee which has the responsibility of distributing the student portion of the activities fee to various campus organizations.

The SGA Office is located on the third floor of the Duquesne Union.

Duquesne Program Council (DPC)
The Duquesne Program Council (DPC) is the student organization which provides the campus with social, cultural, recreational, and educational programs. The students on the council gain practical experience in working with agents, bands, artists and other professionals. The DPC offers its members a chance to be creative and to gain effective leadership, communication, and program planning skills. The programs, which the DPC sponsors, include comedy shows, a film series, lectures, bands, dances, and coffeehouse performances.

The Duquesne Program Council appropriates funds to other recognized student organizations wishing to sponsor programs and assists those organizations with the planning and implementation of their programs. The DPC Office is located in 302A of the Duquesne Union.

Commuter Council
Commuter Council identifies and addresses commuter concerns and provides service and social programming for the entire Duquesne community. In its efforts to serve the Duquesne community, Commuter Council works in conjunction with the Student Government Association, the Residence Hall Association, the Duquesne Program Council, and the administration. The organization also addresses commuter concerns with representation on the Parking Committee and the University Parking Ticket Appeals Board.

Commuter Council is also a social entity with involvement in Carnival and intramural sports. In addition, the organization sponsors the Commuter Overnight for incoming freshmen and the Annual Halloween Masquerade Ball.

Residence Hall Association (RHA)
The Residence Hall Association (RHA) serves as the representative student governing body for Duquesne University’s Living Learning Centers. Created by students, for students, the council was organized to insure the existence of an atmosphere conducive to positive group and individual experiences for the residents of the six Residence Halls. The Residence Hall Association functions in two broad areas: (1) it insures full representation of the resident students to the administration, and (2) it provides programming to increase the individual’s satisfaction with the residence hall experience.

Residence Hall Association is composed of five officers elected by the entire resident population, as well as all resident students who are considered members of RHA and are encouraged to participate in its meetings and activities.

The president of the Residence Hall Association serves as an appointed voting-senator of the Student Government Association. RHA also has representatives on the Student Life Advisory Board, the Publications Board, the Parking Appeals Board, and various other committees within the University.

RHA sponsors annual programs such as the movie series on DU Channel 14, the Rubber Duck Race, and Siblings Weekend in their efforts to make Duquesne University Residence Halls “More Like Home!”

Interfraternity Council (IFC)
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) was founded at Duquesne University on March 27, 1927. The IFC serves as a clearinghouse for general fraternity information and as a forum airing constructive proposals for the improvement of the fraternity system. Membership in the council is composed of elected and chapter appointed representatives from each of the nine member national and local fraternal organizations. The council is led by seven elected executive board officers. The IFC, in conjunction with the Office of Greek Life, Honor Societies, and Professional Organizations, establishes and provides assistance to enforce all rules governing scholastic achievement, membership recruitment, community service and philanthropic activities, social functions, the league intramural sports program, associate membership education, and career development programs. The IFC serves as the governing body of the general fraternity system, organizes service and philanthropic endeavors, and acts as a liaison between the fraternity members and the administration, faculty, and the local Pittsburgh community. The council works to educate all Fraternity men on issues of leadership, risk management, and organizational effectiveness. Under the guidance of the North American Interfraternity Conference, the council works to promote meaningful relationships with one another, the university, the local community, and God.

Panhellenic Council (PHC)
The Panhellenic Council (PHC) was founded at Duquesne University on March 27, 1935. The PHC has been established for the purpose of strengthening women’s fraternities and for promoting cooperation among women’s fraternities through scholastic, athletic, service, and social activities. All members of the nine general sororities (women’s fraternities) have membership in Panhellenic, with each sorority having one student representative, one alumnae representative, and an officer on the council. Panhellenic Council establishes, with the Office of Greek Life, all rules concerning the recruitment period, scholarship program, and associate member activities. It also helps educate all Greek women on issues of leadership, risk management, and organizational effectiveness. In conjunction with the National Panhellenic Conference, the council works to promote good scholarship, service to the college community, the guarding of good health, and the maintenance and promotion of fine standards.

Hazing Policy
Duquesne University adheres to all state, local and federal laws and guidelines in all matters. Thus, the anti-hazing policy is consistent with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s prohibitions on hazing activities.
Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of intiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education. The term shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property. For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the intitiation or admission into or affilition with or continued membership in an organization or acceptance by other members of the organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act; it is a violation of the Code.

Honor Societies
Recognition of scholarship and academic excellence is the primary purpose of these societies. The department listed is that of the organization’s advisor.

Professional and Departmental Organizations
The professional and departmental organizations exist to provide opportunities for the informal exchange of ideas and professional development pertinent to the student’s academic pursuits. With this purpose in mind, these organizations sponsor numerous programs including debates, symposiums and lectures.

Service Organizations – Duquesne University Volunteers
The Duquesne University Volunteers (DUV) is the umbrella volunteer movement, which encompasses all volunteer activities of all service organizations at Duquesne. The DUV council is the student organization, which provides leadership for all volunteer activities.

The purpose of these organizations is to serve the campus and local communities while developing the leadership skills of each member of the organization. Service organizations sponsor a wide variety of professional, charitable, educational, and social programs.

Social Fraternities and Sororities

Other Student Organizations

For a complete list of Student Organizations, visit or call the Student Activities Office, 305 Union, 412-396-5853.

Student Publications

Commuter Update is a periodic publication of the Office of Commuter Affairs, which highlights current events for commuters.

The Duquesne Duke, the University campus newspaper is written and edited by the students and is published every Thursday during the academic year, excluding exam periods and holidays. Geared to all members of the University community, The Duquesne Duke provides an array of campus news, student opinions, editorials, and advertisements. Membership in The Duquesne Duke is open to all students.

SPIRIT: The Life and Letters of Duquesne is an outlet for the creative literary and visual arts of all members of the Duquesne community: students, faculty, administration, alumni and staff.

L’Esprit Du Duc, the annual yearbook, highlights the events of the previous year for all students through news, feature stories, and photos. Published by the students, it is available to seniors after commencement and is made available to other students through spring semester orders or sales in the fall semester.

Juris is Duquesne Law School’s news magazine, which reviews and reports on recent developments in the law and law-related matters of interest to the legal community.

Duquesne Law Review is a scholarly journal published by students in the Law School. This is an academic journal to which the top 20 law students in each class are invited to belong.

The Script is a publication of the School of Pharmacy.

Spiritan Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry is deeply concerned with the religious life and growth of all Duquesne students. Its policies and programs are oriented to furthering that growth at the personal as well as the community level. For Catholic students, Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated daily and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled regularly and by appointment. For all students, faculty, and staff, whatever their faith, campus ministers are available to help with spiritual direction, counseling, advice, or sympathetic listening, all in strict confidence.  Campus Ministry provides a listing of Worship services of nearby churches and synagogues, and referrals can be made to introduce the student to the various ministers or rabbis in the area. The University chapel is open each day for private prayer and quiet meditation. It is available to groups for specific services of a religious nature. All are invited to stop in the Campus Ministry Center in Towers Living/Learning Center or Room 102, Administration Building to offer suggestions for programs or services, or just to get acquainted with the Campus Ministry staff.
Campus Ministry sees itself at the service of all in an open, unstructured, non-threatening relationship and invites the entire Duquesne community to make use of its services.