Expectations for Registered Student Organizations

To be a Registered Student Organization at Johns Hopkins University, organizations must abide by the following:

  • RSOs must be open to all eligible students without regard to sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 exempts fraternities and sororities from the requirement that membership in their groups be open to all persons regardless of gender. Additionally, performing arts and sports clubs organizations reserve the right to hold auditions and/or tryouts and cut potential members for certain performance-based groups. Organizations may limit participation on the basis of academic standing. The academic requirement should align with the mission and practical function or service the organization provides. Finally, applications, interviews, and resume reviews should not be utilized when evaluating students for general membership.
  • RSOs must maintain a minimum of ten (10) active members. Each member must be enrolled in one of the ten schools or divisions at Johns Hopkins University including the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Carey School of Business, the School of Education, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Government and Policy, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, the Peabody Conservatory, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Undergraduate RSOs must not include graduate members and vice versa. RSOs must maintain accurate and up-to-date records of organization leaders on Hopkins Groups.
  • RSOs must maintain an updated constitution and bylaws for the organization and report changes to the organization’s governing body.
  • RSOs must have a web page on Hopkins Groups, and that page must include links to any social media accounts maintained by the group.
  • RSOs must be not-for-profit or not for personal gain of any individual.
  • RSOs must, at all times, comply with university policy, including, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct and the Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures.
  • If a student organization is seeking to affiliate with an external organization, the campus chapter or student organization must submit a relationship agreement as part of the registration and re-registration process. The university reserves the right to review information (websites, social media, etc.) of the external organization and will make the determination of whether the student organization is approved to affiliate as an RSO.

Registering Student Organizations

All Registered Student Organizations must keep their contact information current throughout the year. Student organization registration is completed through Hopkins Groups. It is the responsibility of the RSO’s leadership to update the general description, email address, website URL, social media links, meeting information, and officer contact information.

All RSOs must re-register annually. If an RSO does not re-register by the published deadline, the RSO will be considered “inactive,” will no longer appear on Hopkins Groups, and will not be eligible for funding and other student organization benefits for the upcoming year. Organizations in inactive status do not have university recognition and must register as a new RSO to receive recognition.

Please review information about the student organization registration and re-registration process.

Privileges & Benefits for Registered Student Organizations

  • Listing on Hopkins Groups
    • Note: Unrecognized student organizations or Prospective Student Organizations may not use the university name or marks, and may not be listed on or maintain a page on Hopkins Groups.
  • Approved use of the Johns Hopkins University name in accordance with university brand guidelines.
  • Reserve space on campus, such as event spaces, meeting rooms, classrooms, outdoor space, tabling locations, and/or banner locations.
  • Host events on campus and sponsor programs and activities.
  • Recruit new members and conduct fundraising activities.
  • Ability to post notices to JHU Daily Announcements, on the university events calendar, and on-campus digital message boards.
  • Apply for funding, either annual allocations or various grant programs.
  • Ability to schedule a recurring meeting space through 25Live.
  • Maintain a student organization financial account with the Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development office or with Student Affairs at the appropriate school or division.
  • Maintain a student organization mailbox and snail mail address.
  • Participation in the Student Involvement Fair at the school, division, or campus where your organization has received recognition.
  • Use of HopVans.

Note: Availability of these benefits is not guaranteed and/or is subject to availability.

Membership Requirements

Membership Requirements

Members of Registered Student Organizations must be enrolled, full-time or part-time, in one of the ten schools or divisions at Johns Hopkins University including the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Carey School of Business, the School of Education, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Government and Policy, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, the Peabody Conservatory, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Members may be undergraduates or graduate students. Only undergraduate students can be members of undergraduate student organizations. Only graduate students can be members of graduate student organizations. Students enrolled in post-baccalaureate programs are considered to be undergraduates. Post-doctoral students are considered staff and are not eligible for membership in RSOs.

Students who have completed their requirements for graduation may participate in events and meetings until their Commencement ceremony, but students who are no longer enrolled should not vote, compete, or travel on behalf of the group. Students who have completed their requirements for graduation may not serve in a leadership role within the organization.

For more details about membership in student organizations, please contact the following:

School of Advanced International Studies [email protected]
Krieger School of Arts and Sciences [email protected]
Carey Business School [email protected]
School of Education [email protected]
Whiting School of Engineering [email protected]
School of Government and Policy TBD
School of Medicine [email protected]
School of Nursing [email protected]
Peabody Institute [email protected]
School of Public Health [email protected]

Officer Requirements

Officers of Registered Student Organizations must be enrolled full-time students. Officers must be in good standing with the university, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above. Prospective officers must be in good standing prior to running for office and must maintain that good standing throughout their term of office.

Graduate students may not serve as officers for undergraduate organizations, and vice versa.

Executive officers are traditionally comprised of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, although many exceptions apply. RSOs may choose their own unique officer titles, as long as there is a Primary Contact in place for registration purposes.

  • The positions of President, Treasurer, and Student Event Requestors are required for each organization and must be listed in Hopkins Groups. RSOs can still choose their own unique officer titles, but the equivalent position (i.e., president, treasurer, student event requestor) title in Hopkins Groups must also be listed.
  • For the positions of President and Treasurer, RSO officers can only serve in those roles for a maximum of two RSOs.
  • For the position of Student Event Requestor, RSO officers can only serve in that role for two RSOs.
  • The President/Treasurer cannot hold the Student Event Requestor position within the same RSO.

Advisor Requirements

Registered Student Organizations are required to have a faculty/staff advisor in good standing with the university. RSOs may self-select their advisor unless it is written in a staff or faculty member’s job description to advise that particular organization. Any full-time or part-time faculty/staff member of Johns Hopkins University, in good standing, may serve as an advisor. Alumni and community members may co-advise with a faculty or staff member at the discretion of the university. Graduate students are not eligible to serve as advisors for RSOs.

Learn more about advising, such as responsibilities, benefits, and commitment expectations of Student Organization Advisors.

Alumni Involvement

Alumni of Johns Hopkins University may support Registered Student Organizations by assisting with meetings and events, but under no circumstances should alumni vote on organization matters, participate in conferences and competitions, or profit from university funding in any way.