Orientation Visibility Program Act (OVP Act)

Label: UB-65 ___ 

Date Introduced: [Month Day, 2025] 

Author: Senator Joseph Trapolino (College of [Your College])

 Co-Sponsors: [Add names]

 Primary Committee: Student Life 

Secondary Committee: Appropriations 

Draft: First Reading 

Orientation Visibility Program Act (OVP Act)

Whereas Clauses:

Whereas, student organizations with significant membership (≥ 65 registered members) provide critical peer‑led support, professional development, and community engagement for incoming University of Houston students;

Whereas, New Student Orientation (NSO) is the earliest and most comprehensive touch‑point for first‑year and transfer students, yet current programming limits direct exposure to only a handful of registered student organizations;

Whereas, expanding structured NSO access for established RSOs—such as the American Student Dental Association (ASDA)—aligns with the University’s strategic goals of belonging, involvement, and student success;

Therefore, be it enacted by the Student Government Association of the University of Houston:

Section 1 – Creation of the Orientation Visibility Program (OVP)

A permanent program guaranteeing qualified RSOs the right to present during every summer NSO session.

1.1 Eligibility

An RSO must:

• Maintain ≥ 65 active members verified by CSI;

• Be in good standing (no conduct or financial holds);

• Submit a complete OVP application via the online portal.*

1.2 NSO Access & Format

• Spotlight: The Orientation Office and CSI will reserve at least a five-minute general-session spotlight per organization.

• Organization Row: Dedicated table zone in each NSO resource fair.

• Each RSO must send two trained representatives, one of whom must be a returning student leader.

Section 2 – Administration & Timeline

(a) NSO‑Managed Application Portal. The NSO Office, in partnership with the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), shall launch an online OVP application portal within forty‑five (45) days of this Act’s final approval. The portal will list all eligibility rules in § 1.1 and collect RSOs’ preferred orientation dates, presentation scripts, and technology needs. 

(b) O‑Team Liaison Corps. One Orientation Team (O‑Team) Leader for each NSO cohort will serve as liaison between NSO administration, participating RSOs, and the SGA. O‑Team liaisons are selected jointly by NSO professional staff and the SGA Director of Outreach and will handle arrival logistics, technology checks, and post‑session feedback.

(c) Application Review & Timeline. 

• The NSO Office—after consulting the SGA Director of Outreach—must issue an approve, wait‑list, or deny decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of a complete submission. 

• If NSO requires additional details, it may schedule a virtual or in‑person clarification meeting with the RSO; the 14‑day clock pauses but may not exceed an additional seven (7) calendar days. 

• Final scheduling confirmations are emailed to the RSO and copied to the Director of Outreach.

(d) Oversight Trigger. If an application remains unresolved after twenty‑one (21) total days, the Student Life Committee may request a status memo from NSO; persistent delays may be referred to the Administration & Finance Committee for investigation under Article III oversight powers.

(e) Logistics Packet. Approved RSOs receive a detailed orientation‑day packet (arrival time, room assignment, table number, A/V specs) within five (5) business days of approval or at the discretion of NSO administration.

Section 3 – Reporting & Oversight

1. Quarterly OVP Brief – Director of Outreach submits participation & reach metrics to Student Life Committee.

2. Year‑One Impact Report – Director of Outreach + Administration & Finance deliver a comprehensive assessment to the Senate by Oct 1, 2026.

3. Public Posting – All reports uploaded to the Bill‑Packet Portal (created via SOCAT) within seven (7) days of Senate presentation.

   
   

Section 5 – Effective Date

Be it ENACTED THAT,  this Act takes effect immediately upon:

1. Majority Senate passage;

2. Signature of the SGA President;

3. Written concurrence from Orientation Staff (orientation@uh.edu);

4. Final approval by the UH President.

All approvals must be secured at least 30 days prior to the first NSO session; otherwise, implementation will be deferred to the next cycle.