Division of Campus Life
Student Activities

Student Group Recognition

Brown's vibrant student culture is constantly shifting based on the varied interests of its students. There are hundreds of student groups in existence and each year new student groups form while others become inactive. Find out what you need to know to start a new student group at Brown.

Every student organization must be affiliated with a governing body or department at Brown and each has its own approval process.

All Brown undergrads are eligible to apply to create new student groups. The vast majority of undergraduate organizations are recognized by the Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS) through a process called Categorization.
Organizations created specifically in the interest of graduate students are recognized by the Graduate Student Council (GSC) through an application process.
Send an email to ams-senate@brown.edu for information regarding the Medical Student Senate new group recognition process.
Student run athletics activities work with the Recreation office in the Nelson Fitness Center for recognition and support.

The Student Activities Office only oversees student organizations that are recognized by the Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS) and the Graduate Student Council (GSC).