Guidelines for General RSOS and Sports Clubs

Unless otherwise specifically stated, active Registered Student Organizations (RSO) in good standing with SDSU pursuant to its policies and procedures and registered in Jacks Club Hub must follow these standards and may NOT use SDSU or Athletics official institutional logos, stylized wordmarks or secondary marks in their RSO logo. 

Sports clubs are RSOs that serve the interests of its membership through competitive sports and recreational activities. These clubs are formed, governed and administered by the student membership of the sport, working in conjunction with the club sports office of University Wellbeing. While sports clubs are competitive with students at colleges or universities at the local, state, regional or national level, they are not considered intercollegiate-level sports at SDSU.

The following standards apply for RSOs and sports clubs:

Name Usage Guidelines:

The use of SDSU’s name by official RSOs and sports clubs is acceptable only when following these specific guidelines. In general, the university name must come after the RSO or sport club name as a statement of fact. The RSO name must include “at” or "@" and be followed by South Dakota State University®, South Dakota State®, SDState® or SDSU^TM. RSOs and sports clubs may use Jackrabbits® or Jacks® before the name, but not Jackrabbit or Jack. Subgroups of official RSOs may not create separate names or logos using university trademarks apart from the official club name and logo.

Acceptable Examples:

• RSO/Sports Club at SDSU^TM
• RSO/Sports Club at South Dakota State University®
• Jackrabbits® Disc Golf Club

Unacceptable Examples:

• SDSU RSO
• South Dakota State University RSO
• Jackrabbit Disc Golf Club

Sports clubs must include the word “Club” in the RSO name for distinction from SDSU intercollegiate athletics.

RSO and Sports Club logos 

RSOs and sports clubs may use the Jacks logo lockup or design a unique logo, but they will not be allowed to produce logos that can create brand confusion with licensed university marks—alternate jackrabbits, parts of rabbits, i.e. ears, stylized SDs, etc., will not be permitted. Logos using university trademarked terms (SDSU, SD State, Jackrabbits, etc.) must be designed in university primary and secondary colors and follow proper branding standards. Official RSOs may use the specified university trademarked terms in their logos, but only as officially listed in Jacks Club Hub. All logos using SDSU trademarks or trademarked terms must be approved by UMC. Clubs seeking to use the Jacks logo lockup should obtain the lockup from UMC. 

Logo options with SDSU Affiliation

If using an SDSU trademark, logo must be designed in university colors.

Logo options without SDSU affiliation

If not using an SDSU trademark, logo may be designed in university colors or alternate colors.

Affiliates of Other Organizations

RSOs affiliated with outside organizations may attach South Dakota State University®, South Dakota State®, SD State® or SDSUTM to the national organization’s name. For example: National Group at SDSU.

Some other organizations may have brand standards that conflict with SDSU’s brand standards. This is most often seen in color choices and usage. If using university trademarks or trademarked terms, prior approval by UMC is required if the other organization requires colors or other designs that conflict with SDSU requirements. Cobranding between RSOs and other entities is subject to prior approval by the university president, via the process of University Marketing and Communications.

Brand Standards

Any group using any SDSU trademarks or trademarked terms must comply with the applicable SDBOR and SDSU general branding and communications standards. This includes the use of SDSU’s official colors. The use of colors outside of SDSU’s official colors is subject to review and is strictly limited.

Branded Apparel and Merchandise

If university trademarks or trademarked terms are used, clubs must use blue, yellow, navy, white, black, gray, tan or another neutral color for apparel. Fashion colors are not allowed.

All SDSU branded merchandise and promotional products (including uniforms and work or office wear) must be produced by vendors licensed by SDSU. Merchandise for sale or for giveaway is also subject to licensing and royalty fees, with royalty revenues directed toward student scholarships. UMC maintains a current list of licensed vendors and must approve the production of all branded merchandise in advance of production.

Resources

UMC provides university branding guidance and processes art approvals for all RSOs.