Clubs & Organizations
Campus organizations and clubs play an integral role in the Hopkins community and, as such, should have an established relationship with the Johns Hopkins University brand.
All students, faculty, and staff are responsible for ensuring proper use of the Johns Hopkins University name (including any abbreviations such as “Hopkins” or “JHU”) and marks when creating a name and/or logo for their organization.
Student Organizations
Naming
Be creative with your organization’s name, but make sure it connects back to your mission. Your name is not required to include any reference to Johns Hopkins University or its divisions but should follow the guidelines below if it does.
- Student organizations that would like to use the university name, may use the phrase “at Johns Hopkins University,” “at Johns Hopkins,” or “at JHU” after their group name to keep the association with Johns Hopkins accurate. These guidelines also apply to official division names.
- If your organization represents a chapter of a national organization, you may use “Johns Hopkins University Chapter” (e.g., “American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Johns Hopkins Chapter.”)
- Graduate student organizations are welcome to use “Graduate” in their name to distinguish them from undergraduate and other organizations.
Need some inspiration for your group’s name? Check out these approved examples and inspiration words to communicate your association with Johns Hopkins and/or Baltimore:
Example Names
- Artificial Intelligence Society at Johns Hopkins (hopAI)
- AstroJays Rocketry
- Charm City STEM League
- English Club
- Female Leaders of Color (FLOC)
- Hop Help Tutoring
- Humming Jays
- The Student Government Association at Johns Hopkins University
- Rhythm and Bluejays (RNB)
Inspiration Words
- Hop
- Blue Jays
- Baltimore, Bmore, or Charm City
- Homewood
- Flock
- Fly or Wings
- Birds
Unique Logos
It’s not mandatory for a student organization to have a logo—using the group name in simple type is acceptable. If you’d like to create a unique logo for your organization please follow these guidelines:
DO: Create a Unique Graphic
Create a graphic or illustration that meaningfully represents your organization. This can include custom illustrations and drawings of JHU buildings, landmarks, and blue jays.
DO: Follow Naming Guidelines
If you include your organization’s name in the logo, make sure to follow the naming guidance above.
DO: Use Brand Colors
If desired, use official brand colors to reflect JHU affiliation.
DON'T: Use JHU Marks
Don’t incorporate any JHU logos or trademarks (altered or as-is) in your logo, including the official logo, shield, split H, blue jay, academic seal, etc.
DON'T: Use Outside Trademarks
Don’t incorporate any outside trademarks, such as the Starbucks logo, unless permission is granted from the organization.
DON'T: Include Profanity
Don’t include any profane or graphically explicit words, symbols, or imagery.
Club Sports
Naming
Club sports must use the approved naming convention to accurately convey their association with Johns Hopkins University and distinguish themselves from NCAA athletic teams affiliated with the JHU Athletics Department.
“Johns Hopkins” or “Hopkins” can appear before the official sports club name and the word ‘‘Club” must be used.
Approved Naming Examples:
- Rugby Football Club
- Hopkins Taekwondo Club
- Hopkins Figure Skating Club
- Johns Hopkins Barbell Club
- Johns Hopkins Dragon Boat Club
Unique Logos
Club sports teams are permitted to create unique logos. These logos must follow the Student Organization logo guidelines outlined above. Specifically, club sports teams cannot use official athletics marks (including the Shield Jay, Split H, or Baby Jay) in their unique logo.
Official Lock-Ups
Club sports teams can use an official Hopkins Athletics logo lock-up to represent their affiliation with the University. To access your lock-up files, please contact Gabriel Castellano, Assistant Director of Recreation – Intramurals & Sport Clubs, at [email protected].
Note: Unique logos should never be used in combination with your official Hopkins Athletics lock-up.
Special Cases
University Communications may grant special privileges, including more extensive use of the university’s marks, to student organizations that are sponsored by a university department or a division and are critical to the mission and culture of the community. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Faculty & Staff Organizations
Faculty or staff organizations that act in a formal capacity on behalf of the University may request an official unit lock-up with their organization name. If your organization chooses to use a custom logo, it cannot appropriate any Johns Hopkins marks and must include “at Johns Hopkins University,” as outlined in the Naming section above. It’s important to follow these guidelines so as not to create a situation where it appears the group represents or speaks on behalf of the university.