Recognized Student Organizations

MIT student organizations may only be initiated, organized, and led by MIT students. Recognized student organizations exist to support educational, cultural, recreational, and community life at MIT. They are expected to conduct activities that primarily benefit the MIT community. In doing so, organizations must comply with all applicable laws and adhere to MIT policies, guidelines, and values.

As part of the annual student organization re-registration process, a core executive officer of each recognized group must acknowledge the responsibilities and expectations associated with their leadership role. Through this attestation, leaders confirm their commitment to comply with MIT policies, lead their organizations responsibly, and foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. Failure to uphold these responsibilities may result in disciplinary action or loss of recognition for the organization. 

New Organizations

The ASA is responsible for recognizing new and existing student organizations and manages the timing and processes for all approvals. Each academic year includes two recognition cycles, one in the fall and one in the spring. Dates and details for each cycle are posted on the ASA website.

Each application is required to identify a president and treasurer—the organization’s core executive officers—who are encouraged to collaborate with the other members of their group to complete the following application requirements:

1. A roster of at least 10 current MIT students (graduate or undergraduate), including a president and a treasurer.
2. A student organization constitution, including a mission statement that distinguishes the group from other existing recognized student organizations at MIT. The constitution must include all clauses required by the ASA; a sample constitution is available to potential applicants.
3. A draft budget that demonstrates how the organization intends to acquire and expend funds annually.

Annual Re-Registration

All student organizations must re-register for recognition every year. Organizations are assigned an annual re-registration deadline that aligns with ASA processes and with organizations’ reported annual executive leadership transitions (fall or spring). Organizations may request an exemption for off-cycle re-registrations if there are significant changes to their purpose, leadership, or structure.

The organization’s core executive officers (president and treasurer) are encouraged to collaborate with the other members of their group to complete the following re-registration requirements:

• Note names of student organization core executive officers (president and treasurer), who are required to sign and submit a copy of the Student Organization Leadership Attestation & Responsibility Agreement.
• Confirm distribution of 2026-27 Student Organization Handbook to organization members.
• Read and sign MIT Student Organization Nondiscrimination Policy Acknowledgment.
• Read, distribute, and sign MIT Student Organization Hazing Acknowledgment.
• Read and distribute the link to the General Liability Waiver.
• Report any changes to:
  • Name (requires ASA and SOLE approval)
  • Mission (requires ASA and SOLE approval)
  • Constitution (requires ASA and SOLE approval)
  • Category (requires ASA and SOLE approval)
  • Membership Tags (report)
  • Activity Tags (requires ASA and SOLE approval)
  • Logo (requires MIT Office of Institute Communications approval)
  • Executive Leadership Transitions Timeframe (requires ASA and SOLE approval)
• Confirm the organization’s meeting schedule
• Confirm group officer mailing list on Engage
• Confirm active members roster on Engage
• Confirm officer roster on Engage
• Upload current active participant and advisor roster to Engage
• Confirm student organization office access tags on Engage (if applicable)

SOLE staff and the ASA will confirm these conditions are met before a group is re-registered as a recognized student organization in good standing.

Training for Core Officers

As part of recognition or re-recognition, core executive officers (president and treasurer) must complete a required training module to gain access to MIT systems and keep their organization in good standing. The training covers leadership, event planning, campus activism, finances, and Title VI/Title IX policies. It equips leaders to manage their group’s activities, membership, and resources while sharing this knowledge with their teams.