Requirements for Recognition

After submitting the New Student Organization Application Form (open August through September) and attending the New Organization Information Meeting (as described on our “Starting a New Organization” webpage), the Judiciary will reach out to the organizations that checked “Yes, I am ready to be considered for recognition” to arrange a meeting before Thanksgiving Break.

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

  • A copy of your organization’s constitution. Make sure your constitution includes an Anti-Discrimination Clause, University Policy Adherence Clause, the TCUJ Clause and a membership definition. These are described below. Please see our constitution writing guidelines for additional formatting information.

    • Required Clauses:

      • The Anti-Discrimination Clause: Any basic anti-discrimination clause will do. 

      • The University Policy Adherence Clause: This states that the organization will follow all university rules, regulations and policies, as well as local, state, federal laws. Please note that this includes a prohibition on any form of hazing.

      • The TCU J Clause: This states that all amendments to the constitution must be approved by the TCU Judiciary before taking effect.

      • Membership Definition: We require all clubs to quantify what the requirements are to be considered a member. We do not allow a member to be anyone on the email list or anyone who attended a GIM. We often see this expressed as a certain percentage of meetings attended, a level of displayed interest, or through an interview/audition. 

  • A list of at least 15 members, preferably obtained as a sign-in sheet at a regular meeting. Members must fit your constitution’s definition of a member (see above). Some types of organizations have exceptions on this requirment, as described in the next section.

  • 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 and transaction-based events (ie. tabling, sales, or fundraising) do NOT count as one of your three events. Some types of organizations have exceptions on this requirement, as described in the next section.

  • 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 not be your final budget if recognized. Budgets for current student organizations can be used as guidance.

Certain types of student organizations have additional and/or different 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 regardless.

  • 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 competition/performance 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.