Requirements for Recognition

After submitting an application and attending a New Organization Information Meeting (as described on our “Starting a New Organization” webpage), the Judiciary will reach out to the e-mail addresses listed in the New Student Organization Application Form to arrange a meeting with you before Thanksgiving Break.

For new student organization recognition, you will need to provide the following materials:

  • A copy of your organization’s constitution (We do not have an archive of constitutions. Please see our constitution writing guidelines for information on how to begin that process.)

  • A list of at least 15 members, preferably obtained as a sign-in sheet at a regular meeting

  • Proof of three events from the preceding Spring semester which demonstrate that all events were open and advertised to the entire Tufts Undergraduate Community. If your organization held more than three events, please feel welcome to bring proof for all of the events you held. Additionally, please feel welcome to use events held in collaboration with other groups. GIMs do NOT count as one of your three meetings.

  • An example of what you would expect your student organization’s TCU budget to look like in an average year, with line items. This is non-binding and will most likely not be the budget for the first year. Budgets for current student organizations should be used for guidance, and can be found in the Student Organizations section of this website.

Certain types of student organizations have additional and/or more lenient recognition criteria, as follows:

  • Religious, cultural, competition, and performance groups do not need to meet the fifteen-member minimum. However, please submit a member list anyways.

  • Religious, cultural, competition, and performance organizations do not need to meet the three-event minimum. Religious and cultural organizations are required to submit proof of two events conducted in the preceding Spring semester, while competition and performance groups are required to submit proof of one event.

  • Publications are required to submit proof of one publication released in the preceding Spring semester. The publication can be online or in print.

  • Religious groups must provide documentation of approval from the Tufts Chaplaincy. It is recommended to start this process well before the Recognition process begins.

  • Chapters of national organizations must provide documentation of approval from their national organization.

The purpose of your meeting with the Judiciary is to evaluate whether your organization is:

  • Meeting the above standards, to which all TCU student organizations are held

  • Unique in purpose and function compared to existing TCU student organizations

  • Sustainable, that is, likely to continue functioning after its current e-board has graduated from Tufts

After this meeting, the Judiciary will vote on whether to officially recognize your organization, making it an official TCU student group. The Judiciary will reach out to you via e-mail at the end of the semester, when all recognition decisions are released. If your group is recognized, this e-mail will contain further instructions for gaining access to a TCU budget and connecting with the Office for Campus Life and the TCU Senate. If your group is not recognized, the Judiciary encourages you to continue operating on campus as an unrecognized student group, and to apply for recognition again in the following fall semester.

The Judiciary also seeks to advise new student groups regarding organization sustainability, meeting recognition and re-recognition requirements, and any other questions you may have. Please feel free to e-mail us at TCUJudiciary@tufts.edu.