Month: October 2026

October RSO Officer Monthly Email

Published October 15, 2026

Update links to Social Media on Involvement Link

During RSO Re-registration, we came across many links on RSO Involvement Link pages that were broken or led to unused social media accounts. Please check the links on your RSO homepage to make sure they are still up to date. This is especially important if you need to update your Instagram account to meet the new branding standards. Updating your Instagram may have changed the URL to your page. You can update these links on the “About” tab on your RSO homepage.

New RSO Policy – Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity

As we navigate the midterm election season, we want to ensure all RSOs have clear guidance on how to participate in the political process lawfully and in accordance with state regulations. To provide greater clarity, we are introducing a new Registered Student Organization Policy on the “Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity,” effective immediately. All organizations are encouraged to review the full policy to ensure compliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.

Posting Matrix and Procedure Reminder

Make sure to review the Posting and Digital Displays Procedures before distributing materials in the residence halls. These guidelines outline where and how posters can be displayed to keep campus signage organized and consistent.

Please note that the Posting Matrix has been updated. The total number of posters on campus is 29. The residence halls need 65 to get one for each of the RAs to get them in all the halls. Posters that are going in the residence halls must include the Equal Opportunity tagline.

Upcoming HuskyLEADs

Executive Delegation

Great leaders know they can’t do everything on their own. In this session, you’ll learn how to delegate with purpose by matching responsibilities to individual strengths, providing the right level of support, and following up for success. You’ll leave with practical techniques you can immediately apply to your organizations and leadership roles.

Thursday, October 29th from 4:00-5:00 PM
Location: Admin Building 220 (Career Services)

Communicating With Purpose

In this interactive workshop, you will explore how your intersectional standpoint, experiences, values, and identity form the foundation of your unique strengths as a speaker. Discover how public speaking is an embodied, communicative, and addressed action, and learn to adapt effectively to your speaking situation. Through hands-on activities, including a Speaker Strengths Inventory and values selection exercise, you will unlock the key to impactful storytelling by connecting who you are with what you value most.

Thursday, November 5th from 4:00-5:00 PM
Location: Chemical Sci 102

LeaderShape Institute

The LeaderShape Institute is a 4-day retreat to help you grow in your leadership. The Institute challenges participants to lead with integrity while working towards a vision grounded in their deepest values. You can register for LeaderShape Institute here! The priority application deadline is November 1st at 11:59 PM.

The LeaderShape Institute will take place from January 6th-9th at the Ford Center.

Blue Key RSO Winter Carnival Email List

Blue Key has published an updated rulebook for Winter Carnival 2027. If your RSO participates in Winter Carnival events and wants to receive email updates from Blue Key, please email Blue Key at bksecretary@mtu.edu.

It pays to be engaged!

Congratulations to the Huskies Pep Band and Mining Games at MTU for winning our RSO Plaidurday Challenge! The Huskies Pep Band won $150 for having the most members at the photo, and Mining Games at MTU won $150 for having the highest percentage of their members at the photo. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Help Your Organization Win $100

It’s an election year, and we want every eligible Husky to vote! To get ready, we are turning voter preparation into a friendly student organization competition.

Two different Registered Student Organizations will each win $100 in funding*:

The group with the highest total number of members who submit a vote plan
The group with the highest proportion of members who submit a vote plan

All plans submitted between the start of the semester and Sunday, November 1 will be counted. Submit your plan today and then encourage your RSO members to do so as well!

Membership will be verified against your roster on Involvement Link, and your active student membership count (which is pulled from Involvement Link) will be used to calculate the proportion of membership. Make sure your roster is up to date on Involvement Link to maximize your chances of winning!

*Funding will be made available in an RSO donation account on Involvement Link. Groups will receive instructions on how to utilize these funds after they have been awarded. They can be used for any university-permitted organizational expenses.

RSO Policy Update: Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity

Published October 15, 2026

By Taylor Piering

As we navigate the midterm election season, we want to ensure all Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) have clear guidance on how to participate in the political process lawfully and in accordance with state regulations. To provide greater clarity, we are introducing a new Registered Student Organization Policy on the “Use of University Resources for Political Campaign Activity,” effective immediately.

As a public state university, Michigan Tech is strictly regulated by state law—specifically Section 57 of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCL § 169.257). Under state law, public institutions and individuals acting on their behalf are prohibited from using public funds, property, facilities, or resources to support, oppose, or advocate for political candidates or ballot questions.

Because registered student organizations benefit from privileged use of campus resources, they must adhere to these state regulations when utilizing that privileged access.

Prohibited Use of Institutional Resources

Student organizations may not use any of the following institutional resources for campaign advocacy, candidate endorsement, fundraising for candidates or PACs, or ballot initiative action:

Financial Resources: Student Activity Fee allocations, departmental funding, Michigan Tech Fund donations, or any funds maintained in university-administered accounts.
Digital & IT Infrastructure: MTU-hosted email addresses, university mailing lists/listservs, official RSO web pages hosted on MTU servers, campus digital signboards, or university-managed platforms (e.g., Involvement Link, GivePulse).
Physical Facilities & Property: Campus room usage, promotional tables, or university grounds for candidate or ballot related campaign operations or events.
Supplies & Equipment: University computers, printers, paper, office supplies, signage materials, AV equipment, or university-owned vehicles.
Institutional Branding: Use of Michigan Tech logos, trademarks, wordmarks, or official mascot imagery.

Allowable Facilities Usage & Non-Partisan Activities

Fair-Market Rentals: RSOs or external political campaigns may reserve campus physical facilities or equipment only through standard external-rental procedures at fair market value, subject to equal-access rules available to the general public. All rental fees and related costs must be paid using private, non-university funds.
Non-Partisan Civic Engagement: RSOs may use university facilities and digital platforms in accordance with standard scheduling procedures to conduct non-partisan voter registration drives, neutral candidate forums/debates (where all qualified candidates are invited), or get-out-the-vote efforts, provided no candidate, political party, or ballot position is endorsed or favored.

Improper use of university resources for campaign activity puts both the university and your organization at risk. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct and/or individual/organizational legal fines under state law.

We ask that student leaders and advisors review the full policy to ensure your planned activities for the year remain compliant. As a reminder, students and leaders are always free to participate in campaign activities in their individual capacities using personal time, personal non-mtu email addresses, private funds, and non-university equipment.

If you have questions about whether a planned event or activity complies with state law and university policy, please reach out to the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement at rso@mtu.edu or visit us in the Memorial Union Building, room 112.

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to keeping our campus community active, engaged, and compliant.