Brand Standards: Student Groups and Clubs

Student clubs and organizations officially affiliated with (registered, affiliated, or sponsored) the university must use the appropriate badge to identify their student groups. Other university logos and trademarks cannot be used without express written permission from University Marketing & Communications, Licensing and Brand Activation department.

To obtain written permission, please utilize this form to submit your request to utilize the marks.

University administration reserves the right to prohibit trademark, and logo uses that it deems inappropriate or inconsistent with USU's image and mission.

Student Organization Classifications & Descriptions

All student organizations are categorized by the Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) according to four distinct Classifications. These classifications reflect the organization's relationship and level of public affiliation with Utah State University.

1. Sponsored Student Organization

A formal USU organization sponsored directly by a university department or division. 

• Governance & Oversight: Has an Advisor with specific responsibilities assigned by the sponsoring unit. Officers (and advisors, if applicable) are required to complete specified training. 
• Finances & Legal: All financial accounts are managed directly through USU. They can receive donations under USU's tax ID and enter into legal contracts as USU. 
• Privileges & Funding: They hold priority for making on-campus space reservations. However, they do not have access to USUSA club funding. 
• Restrictions: Must not be based on personal identifying characteristics as described in Utah Code 53B-1-118(1)(b). 

2. Affiliated Student Organization

An organization that maintains a recognized relationship with the university but operates with more structural independence. 

• Governance & Oversight: Not a formal part of the University. Advisor roles and responsibilities vary based on the specific type of affiliated organization. Requires a separate agreement or contract with the university to be recognized. Unique training may be required for all organization members. 
• Finances & Legal: Has no financial accounts through USU, cannot utilize USU's tax ID, and cannot travel under USU sponsorship. 
• Privileges & Funding: Holds priority when making on-campus space reservations. They do not have access to USUSA Club funding. 
• Branding: Must obtain explicit approval before using any official USU brand names, logos, or trademarks. 

3. Registered Student Organization (RSO)

Clubs that are officially registered and permitted to use student-specific brand marks but are distinct from the university's central administration. (Note: The USUSA Student Handbook deals solely with this category). 

• Governance & Oversight: Not a formal part of the University. They are registered, approved, and overseen by the USUSA Council for Clubs & Organizations. Requires a voluntary advisor if the club plans to hold open events on campus. Officer training is required. 
• Finances & Legal: Has no financial accounts through USU, cannot utilize USU's tax ID, and cannot travel under USU sponsorship. 
• Privileges & Funding: Holds priority for making on-campus space reservations and has active access to USUSA Club funding. 
• Branding: Uses USU’s brand standards specifically designated for registered student groups and clubs. 

4. Non-Registered Student Organization

Independent student groups operating entirely outside of the university's formal oversight and support systems.

• Governance & Oversight: Not recognized or supported by the University. They receive none of the benefits or support associated with official organizational recognition. 
• Privileges & Funding: They are not listed on MyUSU, club websites, lists, or directories. They have no access to USUSA funding and must pay community rates to reserve any campus spaces. 
• Branding Restrictions: As noted in the brand policy, these groups are strictly prohibited from using university trademarks, logos, institutional marks, or club identifiers.  

Updated Approval Process:

• No Review Needed for Prescribed Badges: If your group is using your prescribed student group badge with no additional university trademarks, University Marketing and Communications no longer needs to review or approve the design.
• Additional Trademark Requests: If your group wishes to use university trademarks, you must submit an Request for Extended Trademark and Logo Use through ServiceNow.
• Sponsored Clubs: Sponsored clubs may use trademarks as part of their sponsored status; however, all artwork must be pre-approved through the pre-established artwork review forms on ServiceNow.
• Licensed Vendor Requirement: Per University Policy 5100, all items bearing any of Utah State’s logos or trademarks (including your prescribed student group badges) must be produced by a licensed vendor.

Utah State University Sponsored Student Organizations and Clubs Uniform Goods

To maintain a cohesive visual identity across university-sponsored organizations, specific branding protocols have been established for USU Sponsored Student Groups and Clubs.

Primary Identifier: The Sponsored Student Group Badge 

The official Sponsored Student Group Badge is the mandatory primary identifier for all entities referenced above. 

• Mandatory Usage: The badge must appear prominently on all official communications, marketing, general apparel, promotional items, and digital assets.  
• Official Uniform Provision: Sponsored student groups are permitted to use official university logos and trademarks on uniforms worn for scheduled play or competition. For these competition uniforms, groups must do one of the following: 
  • Include the official Sponsored Student Group Badge alongside the university trademarks
    OR
  • Exclude the badge, provided that clear text (e.g., "Club" or "Student Group") is prominently included to accurately designate the entity's status. 
• Mandatory Pre-Approval: Use of university trademarks and logos on competition uniforms is strictly contingent upon following university brand standards and must be pre-approved by University Marketing & Communications, Licensing and Brand Activation, via the branded goods request form.  
• Licensed Vendors: All branded uniform goods must be produced by a USU-licensed vendor, per university policy 5100.  
• Restriction on All Other Goods: The designated badge must be used on all other goods and items. Official university trademarks or logos cannot be used on any items outside of the official uniforms used for play or competition.  

Student Involvement and Leadership Badge

Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) Leadership (Officers, Academic Senate, Student Events Office, and Graduate School Representatives)

To maintain a cohesive visual identity across student government and leadership branches, specific branding protocols have been established for USUSA Officers, the Academic Senate, the Student Events Office, and Graduate School Representatives. 

Primary Identifier: The USUSA Leadership Badge 

The official USUSA Leadership Badge is the mandatory primary identifier for all entities referenced above. This mark is designed to represent the student body's unified voice and leadership. 

• Mandatory Usage: The badge must appear prominently on all official communications, marketing pieces, apparel, promotional items, and digital assets. 
• Approval for Secondary Marks: Use of university trademarks and logos—outside of the provided USUSA Leadership Badge—requires express written permission from University Marketing & Communications, Licensing and Brand Activation. Requests must be submitted officially via the designated ServiceNow intake form. 
• Custom Graphics: The creation and use of custom graphics for specific offices, initiatives, or events is allowed. However, the design may not include any university trademarks, logos, or protected wordmarks. This restriction applies to all institutional names and verbiage, including but not limited to: "Utah State University," "Utah State," "USU," "Aggies," and "Utah State Aggies.

USUSA Badge

Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) Clubs

To maintain a cohesive visual identity across USU Student Association Clubs, specific branding protocols have been established for USUSA Clubs. 

Primary Identifier: The USUSA Club Badge 

The official USUSA Club Badge is the mandatory primary identifier for all entities referenced above.  

• Mandatory Usage: The badge must appear prominently on all official communications, marketing, apparel, promotional items, and digital assets. 
• Approval for Secondary Marks: Use of university trademarks and logos—outside of the provided USUSA Clubs Badge—requires express written permission from University Marketing & Communications, Licensing and Brand Activation. Requests must be submitted officially via the designated ServiceNow intake form. 
• Custom Graphics: The creation and use of custom graphics for specific offices, initiatives, or events is allowed. However, the design may not include any university trademarks, logos, or protected wordmarks. This restriction applies to all institutional names and verbiage, including but not limited to: "Utah State University," "Utah State," "USU," "Aggies," and "Utah State Aggies. 

USUSA Club Badge

Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) Fraternity and Sorority Life

To maintain a cohesive visual identity across USU Student Association groups, specific branding protocols have been established for USUSA Fraternity and Sorority Life. 

Primary Identifier: The USUSA Fraternity and Sorority Life Badge 

The official USUSA Fraternity and Sorority Life Badge is the mandatory primary identifier for all entities referenced above.  

• Mandatory Usage: The badge must appear prominently on all official communications, marketing, apparel, promotional items, and digital assets. 
• Approval for Secondary Marks: Use of university trademarks and logos—outside of the provided USUSA Fraternity and Sorority Life Badge—requires express written permission from University Marketing & Communications, Licensing and Brand Activation. Requests must be submitted officially via the designated ServiceNow intake form. 
• Custom Graphics: The creation and use of custom graphics for specific offices, initiatives, or events is allowed. However, the design may not include any university trademarks, logos, or protected wordmarks. This restriction applies to all institutional names and verbiage, including but not limited to: "Utah State University," "Utah State," "USU," "Aggies," and "Utah State Aggies. 

USUSA Fraternity and Sorority Life Badge

Utah State University College or Department Student Clubs and Organizations

To maintain a cohesive visual identity across all student organizations, specific branding protocols have been established for USU College and Departmental Student Clubs and Organizations. 

Primary Identifier: The College or Departmental Club Badge 

The official College or Departmental Badge is the mandatory primary identifier for all entities referenced above.  

• Mandatory Usage: The badge must appear prominently on all official communications, marketing, apparel, promotional items, and digital assets. 
• Approval for Secondary Marks: Use of university trademarks and logos—outside of the provided College Club Badge—requires express written permission from University Marketing & Communications, Licensing and Brand Activation. Requests must be submitted officially via the designated ServiceNow intake form. 
• Custom Graphics: The creation and use of custom graphics for specific offices, initiatives, or events is allowed. However, the design may not include any university trademarks, logos, or protected wordmarks. This restriction applies to all institutional names and verbiage, including but not limited to: "Utah State University," "Utah State," "USU," "Aggies," and "Utah State Aggies. 

College and Departmental Student Club/Organization Badge
 

Utah State University Residence Life Student Organizations

To maintain a cohesive visual identity across all student organizations, specific branding protocols have been established for USU Residence Life Student Organizations. 

Primary Identifier: Residence Life Student Organizations Badge 

The official Residence Life Student Organizations Badge is the mandatory primary identifier for all entities referenced above.

• Mandatory Usage: The badge must appear prominently on all official communications, marketing, apparel, promotional items, and digital assets. 
• Approval for Secondary Marks: Use of university trademarks and logos—outside of the provided Utah State Residence Life Badge—requires express written permission from University Marketing & Communications, Licensing and Brand Activation. Requests must be submitted officially via the designated ServiceNow intake form. 
• Custom Graphics: The creation and use of custom graphics for specific offices, initiatives, or events is allowed. However, the design may not include any university trademarks, logos, or protected wordmarks. This restriction applies to all institutional names and verbiage, including but not limited to: "Utah State University," "Utah State," "USU," "Aggies," and "Utah State Aggies. 

Residence Life Student Organizations Badge