Associated Students (A.S.) is a non-profit organization and a department UC Santa Barbara, funded by undergraduate student fees. Through elected student positions and appointments they voice student concerns and express student opinion to the University administration, UC system, our community, and state and local governments.
There are dozens of boards, committees, and commissions that are organized and funded through A.S. to enrich student life and give students services and opportunities not offered by the administration. Their mission is to help students uphold the high academic standards and give them leadership, employment, cultural, and growth opportunities to serve the campus community.
Registered campus organizations regularly partner with A.S. for their support in hosting events by utilizing services such as funding from the Finance and Business Committee, securing ticket sellers, co-sponsorship with Program Board for AV equipment and or Event staff, and for media and publication services. A.S. allocations do not "rollover" from fiscal year to fiscal year, so it is critical to file any purchase orders/receipts or reimbursements in a timely manner (ideally within two weeks of the event); otherwise, funding may be rescinded. The fiscal year is July 1 - June 30 each year.
Below are boards and committees within A.S. that your organization can solicit funding from if the nature of your event is relevant to the mission of that board or commission.
Associated Students Entities
A.S. Finance & Business is an Administrative Committee under the Office of the Internal Vice President which serves the UC Santa Barbara student body by facilitating the financial allocation of student fees. The charge of the AS Finance & Business Committee is to help registered student organizations put on successful events, pay for necessary campus services, and fund competitions through the procurement of funds.
In order to be eligible to receive ASFB Funding, groups must:
- Attended a ASFB Workshop,
- Complete an Authorized Signers Form,
- Submit a Budget Proposal, and
- Attend an ASFB Meeting, held every week in University Center unless otherwise communicated.
For more information on ASFB funding processes and how to obtain the $250 start-up fund.
Funding proposals must advance the CF Mission Statement, have relevance to the student community and benefit the UCSB shoreline to be eligible.
The A.S. Community Affairs Board (CAB), UCSB’s Volunteer Action Center, is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of all students by providing information and easy access to community service work. The CAB board meets every Monday at 7:30 PM to review funding requests. Funding Requests must be submitted by Thursday before 5 PM to be reviewed for the following Monday leader meeting.
Environmental Affairs Board (EAB) was established to protect, preserve and enhance the environment, principally at UCSB and its surrounding communities. They focus on ecology, energy, food, climate change, water policy and conservation, the economy, environmental justice and other issues. They coordinate and coalition-build with other groups to promote environmental perspectives and sustainability throughout the University.
Funding for events held in Isla Vista up to $500.
The Isla Vista Tenants Union (IVTU) is an organization serving the interests of Isla Vista tenants. We recognize the diversity of our community, and we strive to meet the different needs of our members while uniting our common interests as tenants. We educate tenants on their rights and responsibilities, and we act as a resource when problems occur. We believe people should live without the suffering that arises from discrimination, retaliation, or neglect. We reach out to property managers, the university, elected officials, local groups, and individuals to realize our vision and address pressing tenant issues. In providing a service to the tenants of Isla Vista, we also hope to build a united, educated, and proactive community.
To request support with production, publicity, and event staff, contact this board directly or stop by to learn how they can help.
SCORE is an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and issues of students of color and underrepresented communities at UC Santa Barbara and the broader system of higher education.
The A.S. Trans and Queer Commission shall serve as an educational and advocacy forum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) student’s rights, with a commitment to representing and improving the status of LGBTQI students on campus and in the community.
Limitations of A.S. Funding
A.S. Funding CANNOT be used for:
- Travel or Transportation Costs (only exception involves specific request from Finance Board directly)
- Food Expenditures over $500 per year
(from ALL BCCs combined) - Expenses related to off-campus special events, banquets, and picnics (excluding Isla Vista)
- Equipment purchases, ONLY rentals are allowed, unless the equipment is to be donated to A.S.
- Awards, trophies, gifts or scholarships for individuals
- Personal items including costumes
- Publicity Bonds
- Student Engagement & Leadership Account Maintenance Fee
- Expenses relating to conferences outside of UCSB (some exceptions are made)
Other Campus Funding Sources
Some academic departments offer funding to student organizations whose events are in keeping with the mission and interest of the department. The funding process may vary in each department.
Submit funding request with contact information and event description and budget to the Office of the Chancellor.
Educational Opportunity Program provides funding to assist student organizations in meeting EOP’s departmental objectives of servicing income eligible first generation college students. To learn more.
The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) provides funding for projects which "green" our campus and reduce the University's impact on the environment. TGIF allocates funds to projects that increase the amount of renewable energy used on campus, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the amount of waste created (GHGs) by our University. Portions of the fund will support education initiatives, student aid (via return to aid), and internships. TGIF is administered through a student majority governance board. The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) was the first green fee in the UC system. It was created by students in the spring of 2006 with a charge to "reduce the University's impact on the environment."
Funded in 1987, the MultiCultural Center was created to provide a safe space for students of color, international students, and gay, lesbian, and bisexual students and to serve as a bridge to the entire campus community. To that end, the MCC offers a broad spectrum of events including lectures, panel discussions, films and videos, musical, dance, and dramatic performances, and poetry readings, which are all open to the general public. To apply for funding, review the MCC Mission and submit a funding request with contact information, event description, and budget to the MultiCultural Center office
The Residence Halls Association, or RHA, is UCSB's student government for the residence halls. We conduct social, educational, cultural, and recreational programming for all of our residents as well as advocate for our residents in the larger campus community.
The UCen Governance Board has a Programming Fund which provides grants for any events hosted in UCen spaces: Corwin Pavilion, various meeting rooms, and Storke Plaza that will help defray the rental costs. The application link can be accessed.
More information about the UCen can be found on this PAGE and information about the Governance Board is located.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs has a limited amount of money to co-sponsor campus events and activities hosted by Registered Campus Organizations. Grants will rarely exceed $300, and the funding committee will generally favor applications for events that are cross-cultural in nature or for speakers who invite provocative or difficult dialogues. In addition, proposals that have already been granted supplementary funding from other sources are preferable. As a general rule, requests for off-campus conferences and travel expenses will not be funded.
- Please note that funding by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs does not represent endorsement or approval of an event or its content.
- The following statement must be included in any promotional materials or programs in which sponsors' names are listed: "Provision of funding by sponsors does not represent endorsement or approval of the event or its content."
- Fill out the Google form application as completely as possible. If you have questions, you can e-mail Jayne Patterson, Financial & Project Analyst, at Jayne.Patterson@sa.ucsb.edu.
http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/resources/student-group-funding