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Student Organizations

Student organizations are a major aspect of student life here at HGSE. Each year, there are over 30 officially recognized student organizations. Organizations range in focus from international issues (such as Education in the Middle East and North Africa) to affinity groups (the Black Student Union) to being program based (Education Policy and Management Student Association).

We welcome and support your interest in starting your own organization. There are a few very simple steps involved in becoming a recognized organization. The Office of Student Affairs provides the necessary information and training to help your organization through the recognition process, and provides counsel on events and organizational effectiveness. This online student organization management system will make managing all aspects of your organization hassle-free. Examples of some events that student organizations sponsored last year include research conferences, panel discussions, film series, community service projects, noted speakers, and much more. The range of events is as limitless as the range of imagination amongst you, the HGSE student body.

Funding Requests & Policies

All student organizations are expected to abide by the policies conveyed in the Student Activities Manual. It is the responsibility of the student organization leadership to ensure that all members of the group who will be involved in planning events are familiar with these policies. Failure to follow these policies may result in a student organization event being cancelled.

  • Funding requests must be submitted at least three weeks in advance of the event; funding requests are reviewed every Thursday (this may affect your eligibility) so plan in advance!
  • Funds do not accumulate or roll-over; any money left after your event will go back to the Student Organizations Fund pool.
  • Student organizations must apply for funding every time they are planning an event.
  • Expenses cannot be incurred until funding is approved; once funding is granted, ALL purchases must be made by OSA’s Senior Student Affairs Administrator, Crystal Quintanilla.

Reactivate or Launch a New Student Organization

The deadline to launch or reactivate an organization for the 2023-24 academic year has passed. 

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Crystal Quintanilla, Senior Student Affairs Administrator, at crystal_quintanilla@gse.harvard.edu.