Groups seeking Student Association recognition have mixed reactions to a 12-page application including affirmative action, secret rituals and mandatory workshop policies.

About 225 student groups are affected by the new guidelines set by SA Vice President Tanya Smith.

While some student groups like the application and its new policies, others are irritated at the seven-page increase and additional questions.

“About all it didn’t ask for is dental records and shoe size,” complained former SA Senate Speaker John Fallon.

Fallon, a Sigma Nu fraternity member, said he objects to the policy stating groups with secret rituals must meet with Smith on “how to handle this matter. No exceptions will be allowed.”

“This seems like it’s pinpointing greek organizations,” Fallon said. “It’s our constitutional right to have secret rituals. This could be a good petition to the (SA) supreme court.”

The application also asks for a voluntary membership breakdown in race; gender; year in school, and the name of its affirmative action coordinator.

“I don’t know of too many campus-wide organizations that would have an affirmative action policy established,” Fallon said.

Smith said groups won’t be punished if they don’t have a policy, but they should be aware of affirmative action guidelines.

In addition, at least one member of each group must go to 7 of 11 University Programming and Activities workshops to make them more aware of university resources.

While the workshops are “a good tool that could be used by a number of organizations, to make them mandatory was not a good idea,” said Otis Moore, Black Student Union minister of external affairs.

But Smith said, “my main concern is that organizations know and utilize the resources on campus.” The policies were adapted from her research on other student governments.

Wednesday is the deadline for returning forms to the UP&A Office and so far only about 60 have been picked up.

SA-recognition is given yearly by the senate and makes groups eligible to reserve NIU rooms, post fliers and receive SA funding.