Registered Student Organizations
Michigan State University has over 800 registered student organizations (RSOs). RSOs cover a wide range of topics and interest areas, including but not limited to academic, business, environmental, international, political, racial/ethnic, religious, women’s interests, and sports and leisure.
The Department of Student Life recognizes these organizations with the university through an annual registration process, which begins Aug. 1. Once registered, RSOs can plan and sponsor activities on campus, apply for funding and participate at events.
University Activities Board
Founded in 1916, the Union Activities Board was the first student organization established at MSU. Later named the University Activities Board (UAB), it is comprised of eleven student directors, three advisors, two graduate students and over 50 members.
UAB is open to all undergraduate students, and membership is free and open all year long. New members are welcome and encouraged weekly. Students can join UAB at one or all of the following:
- Weekly meetings Monday nights at 7 p.m. in the MSU Union Room 50
- Weekly committee meetings
- Volunteering at any UAB events
Residence Halls Association
The Residence Halls Association (RHA) is the on-campus student government at Michigan State University. Representing more than 15,000 students, RHA is one of the largest residence halls associations in the country. RHA is dedicated to improving the on-campus living experience and providing services to students.
Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU)
The Associated Students of Michigan State University is the undergraduate student government of Michigan State. Its mission is to enhance the individual and collective student experience through education, empowerment and advocacy by dedication to the needs and interests of students.
The Class Councils are departments of MSU’s undergraduate student government. They have been established to directly represent each class on campus and to better address their unique concerns. The council acts as the voice of their class at MSU. The General Assembly is the division of the undergraduate student government comprised of elected officers and proportionally elected representatives from each degree-granting college as well as one representative from each CORES/COPS group and major governing group. They have bi-weekly public meetings.
ASMSU's central staff is comprised of seven different departments: Human Resources, Marketing, Public Relations, Liaison for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Controller, Information Technology, and an internship program.
Residence Hall Caucuses
LGBTQA+ Caucuses
Each of the five neighborhoods has a residential caucus dedicated to LGBTQA+ students. The residence hall groups primarily focus on providing a safe space for personal and social support and furthering education on the LGBT communities. Some groups have their own personal meeting room while others meet in various locations around the neighborhood. Funding for each group comes from the Residence Halls Association (RHA).
- LIGHT (Living In Great Harmony Together) is the Brody Neighborhood LBGT Caucus. Contact lightmsu@msu.edu for more information.
- PRIDE (PEOPLE RESPECTING INDIVIDUALITY, DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY) is the West Circle LGBT Caucus. Contact camer120@msu.edu for more information.
- PRISM (PEOPLE RESPECTING THE INDIVIDUALITY OF STUDENTS AT MSU) is the South Neighborhood LGBT Caucus. Contact prism@msu.edu for more information.
- SPECTRUM is the East Neighborhood LGBT Caucus. Contact spectrum@msu.edu for more information.
TRANSCEND
Transcend is a campus-wide caucus that seeks to build a sense of community among MSU students who are transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender non-conforming, as well as to defend their rights and advocate for their specific social, educational, and cultural needs. These students often face harassment, hostility, and discrimination in every area of their lives, including when interacting with the university. Transcend creates a supportive network to assist in combating the transphobia, cissexism, transmisogyny, and isolation that these students frequently experience.
- For more information contact:buckl117@msu.edu or holtz67@msu.edu
Black Caucus
Black caucuses on Michigan State University’s campus were first known and organized as “Black Dorm Organizations.” There was an organization which was in existence known as the Black United Front, which represented Black students as a whole on campus, but it was found to be more effective to have a representative group in the residence halls as well.
Currently, there are 19 caucus rooms throughout the residence hall system. They were initially used and continue to be used as libraries, places for social and academic activities, and as performing arts meeting places.
Each of MSU’s five neighborhood has a black caucus. They are listed below:
- East Black Caucus (East Neighborhood)
- Red Cedar Black Caucus (River Trail Neighborhood)
- South Black Caucus (South Neighborhood)
- United Brody Black Caucus (Brody Neighborhood)
- West Circle RACE (West Circle Neighborhood)
