Midway

Orientation Midway 2024

The Orientation Midway will be on Friday, August 30th from 2:30-4:30pm, at the Johnson Ice Rink. It is an event where student groups can meet incoming undergraduate and graduate students to begin recruiting for their group and show the vibrant student life culture at MIT. Groups must check in from 2:30-4:30pm, and more information regarding check-in will be emailed to groups manning booths.

Please contact asa-midway@mit.edu if you have any questions.

Event Details and Expectations

Because space is limited, by signing up for a booth, you are committing to have it staffed the entire time. Please read the expectations below before signing up for a booth. We have laid out the following expectations of groups for our Midways. We set these expectations to ensure that Midway space is used fairly and to help us re-assign space as it becomes available to groups on the waitlist.

The ASA Executive Board members reserve the right to remove groups and members from the Midway for any group's failure to comply with Midway rules and ASA Exec members' requests.

Sign-in and setup

  • Your group must sign in with the ASA when you arrive at the Midway.
  • Groups can start setup as early as 1:30pm
  • Groups must check in by 2:00 PM. Groups that are late may be fined $25, and your table may be re-allocated to a group on the waitlist.
  • Individuals who received ASA-sponsored early returns must check-in individually. Groups will be fined $50 per early return who does not check in.

Cancelling

  • If your group can no longer attend and/or perform at the Midway, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance at <asa-midway@mit.edu>. Failure to cancel prior to 24 hours will result in a $25 fine.
  • Groups that don't cancel by the time check-in starts will be fined up to $75.

General setup

  • Limit members at booths  - In an attempt to alleviate congestion at this year's midway, we are asking that groups limit the number of persons at each booth to 4. If your group has a half table, please limit your club membership to 2. The ASA will make exceptions for performing groups who are about to or have just performed.
  • No external speakers - you may use laptop or other similarly quiet speakers. This is to address numerous extreme noise complaints, allow groups to be able to speak to interested individuals, and for performances to be heard. ASA Board members may ask you to reduce the volume or turn off sound on any speakers if it is causing problems for your neighbors or performances.
  • Stay at/by your booth - no handing out flyers at the doorway, no blocking the entrance or aisles, etc.
    • In order to keep walkways clear for fire safety reasons, groups are required to stay within arms reach of their table at all points. Do not block any entrances or aisles or hand out flyers at the doorway. Non-compliance may result in a $50 fine.
    • If your booth is not staffed at any point during that 2 hour period, your group will be fined $25.
    • Groups that leave before the conclusion of the Midway without permission from the ASA will incur a $75 fine.
  • Keep walkways clear at all times We have had issues in the past where students with limited mobility had issues moving through the crowds due to the congestion of people; please always stand within arm's reach of your table to help alleviate crowding.
  • If your group is bringing large items, performing a demonstration, or using electricity for anything other than laptops or other displays, make sure you review the safety guidelins at <https://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/types-events-activities-need-safety-plan>, and, if necessary, send a description of your activity to <safe-project@mit.edu> so that they can suggest tips to improve safety.

Performances

  • Any music used for your performance should be non-explicit and appropriately censored.

If your group is not listed in the booth assignments:

  • If you submitted a request, please email asa-midway@mit.edu (forward the email from the submission form if possible). We will do our best to assign you a table in advance of the Midway.