Communication, University policies and a lack of student interest can be impediments to starting a new student organization.

For Jim Woods, who is trying to form the Council of Independent Organizations and gain University recognition for the group, these are some roadblocks that are making his life difficult.

Woods said he is organizing the council to help independent organizations.

"I realized the difficulty of being in an independent organization," said Woods (junior-broadcast journalism). "I decided that if we were able to work with organizations rather than against them, bigger and better things could come."

But getting to the bigger and better is not as easy as one might think.

In trying to put the council together, Woods said he has had to tackle student apathy, develop publicity and deal with organizations who are wary of joining the council.

"(One of the big problems) is people not wanting to get involved in too many things," he said.

Like all other organizations that want to be recognized by the University, the Council of Independent Organizations has to follow the University procedure to be officially recognized.

Mel Klein, senior director of the Office of Student Affairs, said although the procedure was originally outlined by the University, the acceptance of organizations is done by one of five student organizations.

"Administratively, we don't pass judgment," Klein said.

The Graduate Student Association, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Panhellenic Council and Undergraduate Student Government are the five organizations that can pass judgment on potential University-recognized organizations.

One of the primary criteria for an organization to be recognized by the University is that its purpose be unique.

"You can't have a purpose that other groups have," said Evan Smith, USG Supreme Court chief justice.

Groups which satisfy this requirement can pick up guidelines from any of the offices of the five sponsoring organizations. Potential organizations must have a minimum of 12 members and present officer reports and a constitution to the sponsoring organization.

The sponsoring organization then meets with the potential organization, reviews their materials and grants provisional status if all affairs are in order. The provisional organization can apply for use of University facilities, funding and office space.

Ken Martin, past GSA vice president, said after 15 weeks of provisional status, excluding the summer semester, an organization may request permanent status.

If the organization does not request permanent status within a year and a half, it becomes inactive, Smith said, adding that if the group is inactive, its funds are frozen and it cannot use University facilities.

Smith said the University is not trying to exclude groups from being recognized.

"Most groups get approved," Smith said. "That's what we want to do."