- Student Organizations will be notified by DOS-CEEB when they are placed into dormancy. Dormant Status may include, amongst other things, the failure to adhere to policies or establish membership and leadership for the following academic year.
- The establishment and dissolution of student organizations at HLS do not include official student journals administered by the Dean of Students and Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging Office (DOS-CEEB).
- Previously recognized student organizations that are currently dormant may seek reinstatement after dormancy up to the second year of dormancy. Failure to resurrect a dormant organization within the second academic year will result in the organization no longer existing at HLS. Once the organization is removed from the dormant organization list, a student seeking to reestablish the same organization would need to apply to create a new student organization.
- Required Continuity for Dormant Organizations being reinstated. Reinstated organizations are expected to operate as a continuation of the previously recognized organization and may not use a name change or organizational restructuring to avoid prior obligations, restrictions, sanctions, or conditions of recognition. An organization that is reinstated or reconstituted following dormant status must maintain substantial continuity with the organization that previously held recognition for a period of two years following reinstatement. During this two-year period, the organization may not change its name or materially alter its identity, purpose, leadership structure, or governing documents without prior written approval from the Law School.
- If you are interested in reinstating a student organization, please make an appointment with DOS-CEEB to discuss your plans for reinstatement. There is a cap of 90 student organizations per academic year. If that cap is reached for any academic year we will not be accepting Dormant Student Organization restart applications.
¹A meaningful continued existence means a group that has a regular membership process through which any student at HLS can join, hosts at least one meeting or event per semester, and stipulates that they are a group that meets a need of the HLS community in good faith.
If you are interested in restarting a dormant organization please fill out this form. The deadline to submit is Friday, October 30, 2026 at 11:59pm.