STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVITIES

• Home
• Org Management
• Annual Requirements

Annual Requirements for 2026-27

To avoid any interruption to Registered Student Organization (RSO) privileges, including access to SOFO, all registered student organizations must complete the process below.

PHASE 1: Open From April 15, 2026 Through May 4, 2026

1. Submit the annual registration form on 'Cats on Campus. This is due by Monday, May 4 at 11:59pm CT. Failure to properly submit this form by this deadline will result in an inactive status for the 2026-27 academic year. NO EXCEPTIONS.
   
   • This form should be submitted by the incoming president or treasurer of your organization for the 2026-27 academic year. This form is only submitted once by one student on behalf of the group.
   • Log into ’Cats on Campus and search for your group. At the top of the screen, a blue bar will appear that says “Group Re-Registration.” Click on this button to get started. You may save the form and come back to it at any point before Monday, May 4 at 11:59pm CT.
   • Primary components of the annual registration form:
     • University Agreement
     • SOFO Account User Information
     • Advisor Acknowledgement Form
     • Updating ’Cats on Campus Roster
     • Barrier-Free Questions
     • Leadership Transition & Org Fair Categorization
     • Constitution Submission
     • Assigning Required Trainings
   • We suggest you budget at least 75 minutes to complete PHASE 1 in its entirety. START EARLY AND DO NOT LEAVE THIS TO THE LAST MINUTE. 
   • Here is a list of organizations who completed the 2026-27 re-registration form on 'Cats on Campus.

PLEASE NOTE: You may NOT serve as president or treasurer of an organization if you will be studying abroad or pursuing another permanent, off-campus commitment (like being out of town for the Journalism Residency program) during the fall 2026 quarter, winter 2027 quarter, or spring 2027 quarter of your leadership term.

PLEASE NOTE: Executive board leadership is for undergraduate students only. 

PHASE 2: Open From May 11, 2026 - June 8, 2026

1. Complete all required trainings in a track on ’Cats on Campus. In the annual registration form, there is a place to list which student leaders should be assigned to the required trainings. Two of the students are required to be those listed as president and treasurer, and the third student is an officer of your choosing. 
   
   
   WHO IS ASSIGNED TO THE TRACK?
   Please check the “SOA Phase 2 Assignments” tab on THIS CHART to see who is expected to complete the track on behalf of your group.
   
   
   
   HOW MUCH OF THE TRACK DOES EACH ASSIGNED MEMBER HAVE TO COMPLETE?
   Unlike previous years, each member assigned to a track must complete the WHOLE track (all of the videos and quizzes from every section). 
   
   
   
   HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A TRACK?
   SOA anticipates it will take each student around 4 hours to complete the track in full. You do not have to complete the track in one sitting. START ASAP to ensure you meet the June 8 deadline!
   
   
   
   WHEN IS THE COMPLETED TRACK DUE?
   SOA is extending the deadline to Monday, June 8 at 5pm CT. 
   
   
   
   I AM ASSIGNED TO A TRACK ON BEHALF OF MORE THAN ONE GROUP. DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE THE TRACK MULTIPLE TIMES?
   No you do not. If you are assigned to a track on behalf of multiple groups, you only need to complete the track in full once.
   
   
   
   HOW DO I ACCESS MY TRACK?
   On your home screen of 'Cats on Campus, click "My Activity Menu" on the left-hand side, and then click "My Checklists." You will need to complete everything you see on the track in full. Once you are done, the progress completion bar at the top of the screen will reach 100%. Until it reaches 100%, you are not done yet.
   
   
   
   HOW CAN I AMEND WHO IS ASSIGNED TO A TRACK FOR MY ORG?
   Please email joseph.lattal@northwestern.edu with any track assignment amendment requests. As a reminder, all incoming presidents and treasurers for the 2026-27 academic year MUST complete the track, but you are allowed to change out your third, fourth, and/or fifth person if necessary. 
   
   
   
   WHAT HAPPENS IF ALL ASSIGNED STUDENTS FOR MY ORG DO NOT COMPLETE THEIR TRACKS IN FULL BY THE JUNE 8 DEADLINE?
   
   Your organization will be frozen for the entire 2026-27 academic year. No exceptions. START ASAP and don’t leave it to the last minute!
   
   

Information about these requirements is sent via SOA's Weekly Newsletter to student group officers listed on 'Cats on Campus. Make sure your group doesn't miss out on important communication and deadlines by visiting your organization's page on 'Cats on Campus, reviewing the roster, and making sure the contact info on your officer roster is accurate and up-to-date. Having trouble? Follow these instructions!

Other components of annual requirements

Beyond the SOA annual requirements listed above, specific RSOs may have additional items to complete to prepare for the new year.

• Student organizations with SOFO accounts are expected to have incoming officers complete SOFO training to access their funds. If the organization will keep the same officers signed-in, no refresher training is needed.
• Competitive sports and department-sponsored organizations may have additional requirements, orientations, or trainings suitable for the RSO's activity. Consult your RSO advisor for expectations.