MU to stop providing designated funds to five student organizations

By: Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -- The University of Missouri will stop providing designated funding to five of its student organizations, according to University of Missouri spokesman Christopher Ave.

The clubs include: the Asian American Association (AAA), Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), Four Front, Legion of Black Collegians (LBC) and Queer Liberation Front. Ave said the university has to comply with restrictions issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on "allocating university resources such as funding or space based on protected demographic characteristics."

The move should also allow the university to avoid jeopardizing crucial funding for student financial aid, research and other university programs.

Ave wrote in an email that based on input from stakeholders and an external consultant, the university is also updating how student organizations are classified. Beginning when re-registration opens in July and effective for the Fall 2026 semester, student organizations will be classified in one of the following categories:

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs): This is the primary classification for student organizations at the University of Missouri. RSOs have access to specific university resources and operate under the direction of the student members in accordance with the organization’s constitution. RSOs must follow the Organizational Resource Group (ORG) registration process each year and comply with policies and guidelines.

Sponsored Student Organizations (SSOs): SSOs are affiliated with the University of Missouri through a formal process with a sponsoring university unit. SSOs operate under the direction of the student members with guidance from the assigned University administrator. Students provide organizational direction and retain a high level of engagement with the University to ensure policies and guidelines are followed.

University Programs: University programs are created for the benefit of  students and the institution. These are typically educational, academic or administrative programs, and the university has supervision of its members and operations.

Ave said the five groups losing their designated funding will be classified as RSOs beginning in Fall 2026, which means they can apply for Organization Resource Group funding on an equal basis with the vast majority of other student organizations.