Student Initiative Grant

The purpose of Student Initiative Grants is to provide support for the events that bring together students, academically or socially, from various departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). In addition to monetary support, GSAC is also able to waive the rental fee for 301 Philosophy for eligible groups/events. Types of events supported in the past include, but are not limited to: academic conferences, discussion groups, social events, cultural events, and community service initiatives. The 2011-2012 GSAC budget can be viewed here

Eligibility

Eligible events must meet the following criteria:

• Over 50% of attendees are GSAS students.
• Must have a GSAC representative in good standing willing to sponsor your event. Ask your department administrator if you do not know who your GSAC representative is.
• Must aim to attract attendees from multiple GSAS departments.
• Events must occur in the future and cannot be funded retroactively.
• Applications must be received at least one week prior to the GSAC meeting closest to the event. However, applications may be submitted much earlier.
• No individual student initiative grabt can receive over $1000 in one academic year.
• GSAC will not pay for speakers' honorarium, airfare, lodging or any travel fees.
• GSAC sponsorship must be acknowledged at the event and in all publicity.
• All sponsored events must be open to all members of GSAS.
• GSAC is nonpartisan and does not sponsor events of a political or religious nature.

Previously funded initiative grants can be seen here

Application Process

Applications for funding will be accepted in three cycles each semester (Fall: Oct., Nov., Dec.; Spring: Feb., Mar., Apr.). Philosophy 301 is closed for the semester and cannot be rented. Applications will not be accepted during the summer. Applications should be submitted to the GSAC Finance Chair by email one week prior to the General Council Meeting. A representative from the group must be present at the following GSAC meeting to describe the event and answer any questions. Funding will be determined by a vote of the General Council. Funding comes in the form of reimbursement after the event (see Reimbursement section below).

Click here to download the funding application file (MS Word format).

301 Philosophy Guidelines

NOTICE: *Philosophy 301 is closed for the Spring 2012 Semester**
Here are steps for reserving 301 Philosophy and requesting a waiver for the rental fee:

1. Reserve the room. GSAC has no control over scheduling for 301 Philosophy. All reservations must be made in advance through Craig Knobles in 301 Philosophy before submitting a rental fee waiver application.
2. Complete and email the application (download the application in Application Process section) to the GSAC Finance Chair.

Rental fee waivers for 301 Philosophy can be approved directly by the GSAC Finance Chair.

While GSAC grants rental fee waivers for 301 Philosophy, the Lounge is subject to a $160 clean-up fee. If the event takes place in 301 Philosophy, you are responsible for returning the space to its original state. This includes, but is not limited to, cleaning, sweeping, restoring furniture to it's original location, as well as closing all windows, turning off all the lights, shutting off all running water and locking the doors behind you.Also, trash should not remain inside Philosophy Hall over night. Please do not touch or move the artwork from the walls or place any item on or near the pianos.

In the event of any damage of property, Columbia security should be notified as soon as possible as well as GSAC.

Reimbursement

Funding is on a reimbursement basis, i.e., you must submit receipts for expenses up to the amount awarded by GSAC. More specifically, you will need a printed copy of the GSAC award letter and a complete Columbia Travel and Business Expense Report.

Details of how to fill out a Travel and Business Expense Report can be found here.

Some highlights:

• The Treasurer is the Payee.
• Submissions should be made within 10 days, and must be made within 120 days or by June 30 of that year, whichever is sooner.
• If receipts are smaller than by 4¼” by 5½”,tape them to 8.5” by 11” paper.
• Arrange receipts in chronological order.
• Only use one side of the paper.
• Include a flyer of the event.

Bring these items to Claudia Souffront in 109 Low Library. Make sure the person submitting these materials is the Treasurer listed on the application, otherwise the reimbursement might not go through.

After the Event

Following all funded events, a report of the event should be filed with the GSAC Finance Chair. This report should include the following points:

1. Was the event successful in achieving its goals and the goal of enriching graduate student life at Columbia?
2. How was the budget actually balanced, compared to projected revenues/expenditures?
3. How many graduate students attended, compared to the projected attendance? Which departments were represented?
4. How was GSAC's contribution acknowledged?

Previously Funded Groups and Events

September 2011

• Columbia Consulting Club
• English and Comp Lit
• French GSA
• ICLS 2011 Conference
• Science & Technology Stock Club

GSAC is a non-partisan graduate student organization. GSAC's funding of an event does not imply its endorsement of any views or opinions of the event's organizers or participants.