Funding from the Multicultural Student Center (MSC) Funding Board
Organizational programming costs of cultural and diversity education events, for organizations that do not discriminate in membership, may be subsidized with the Activity & Service Fee (A&SF) through: (1) MSC Allocations and (2) MSC bills. Events must not charge and admission fee to UCF students, and must benefit the student body in general (as opposed to a specific organization). Each year, the A&SF Budget Committee creates guidelines that set restrictions on funding. Organizations should review these guidelines, also known as “Proviso Language,” for the 2009-2010 fiscal year prior to making requests. If the event does not promote cultural or diversity education, please see All Other Funding for Senate funding options.
The MSC Funding Board meets weekly during the fall and spring semesters (excluding University holidays and final examination periods), and bi-weekly in the summer. Please keep this in mind when planning funding requests.
Questions about either of these two processes? Email msc@mail.ucf.edu.
RSOs are limited to receiving one allocation of up to $1000 per semester between the Senate Working Fund (allocated by the Senate's FAO Committee), Speakers Account (allocated by the Senate's FAO Committee), and the MSC Allocation account. Requested amounts in excess of this limit must be presented as a bill. In other words, if the RSO has already received its FAO Allocation in a given semester, it cannot request an MSC Allocation in that same semester (but instead would request an MSC Bill if it is a cultural/diversity education event).
RSOs may apply for an allocation out of this account by completing the MSC Allocation Form and submitting it to the SGA Office (SU 214). These forms are available in the MSC Office or online. It is suggested that groups submit the form by noon on the Monday prior to the next scheduled Funding Board meeting, at least SIX (but no fewer than FOUR) school weeks prior to the date funding is needed (not four weeks prior to the event; four weeks prior to needing to spend any money on the event). After submitting the form, RSOs should attend the following Funding Board meeting to present the allocation request. Check with the MSC for the location of the meeting.
An RSO that requests more than the MSC Allocation limits described above must have the request submitted via a bill, which requires the help of a Student Government Senator. With the assistance of the RSO, a Senator will write a bill and submit it to the Speaker of the Senate for placement on first reading of the Senate’s next agenda. At that Senate meeting, the bill will be remanded to the MSC Funding Board and placed on second reading on the funding board's agenda.
At the subsequent MSC Funding Board meeting, the bill’s benefits to the student body will be weighed against the costs. The board of 12 students will ask questions. The bill will be debated by the Board during this reading and again on third reading, typically in 2 separate MSC Funding Board meetings. During these debates, the bill may be changed via amendments. It may also be “killed” at any point. RSO representatives must be available at both Funding Board meetings (check with MSC for the location of the meeting). This will allow Board members to ask questions and hear the RSO’s perspective on the bill. Once it is on third reading, the Funding Board will take a final vote on the bill.
If the bill passes the Board’s final vote, and the funded amount is more than $5000, it is sent to the Student Body President and Director of Student Involvement for their signatures of approval. With 3 agenda readings and the time needed for the approving signatures, the bill process can take up to 8 school weeks in the fall and spring semesters (more in the summer). Money cannot be spent until the bill is signed and returned to the MSC. Therefore, RSOs are strongly encouraged to begin the bill process at least 10 (but no fewer than 8) school weeks (in Fall/Spring) before funding is actually needed. For example, if an event is in April but the speaker fee is due on March 15, the RSO should begin the bill process before January 15.
Organizations that have trouble getting in contact with their Senator to write an MSC Bill should contact the Senate Pro Tempore.
Mandatory Financial Training
Each fiscal year, any RSO that receives money from the MSC (through an allocation or MSC bill) must have all authorized officers (as indicated on the most recent Update Form) successfully complete financial training before any money will be disbursed. Officers may sign up for online financial training by printing and submitting a Statement of Understanding form to the A&SF Business Office (SU 215).
Program Evaluation Forms
RSOs that receive money through an MSC Allocation or MSC Bill are required to submit a Post-Event Form to the Senate's Operations Review Committee (ORC) within thirty days after the program is completed. These forms allow SGA and MSC members to see the benefits of the RSO’s program. Failure to submit the Post-Event Form will result in possible nonfunding in the future. Forms are available in the SGA office or online, and should be submitted to the SGA office (SU 214).
Promotional Materials
RSOs that receive any type of A&SF funds (including those from the MSC) must include the SGA and MSC logos on all brochures, clothing, pamphlets, booklets, posters, mailings, promotional items, and advertisements that are related to the funded event. The logos need to be at least ½ inch by ½ inch in size, and all graphics associated with the event must be approved by Senate Operations Review Committee (ORC) prior to publication and distribution.
RSOs should complete a Promotional Material Approval Form and submit a copy of the graphic to the SGA Office at least ONE school week prior to the desired print date.
The design must follow all Golden Rule and University guidelines. An RSO may only print promotional materials that receive ORC approval. Additionally, RSOs that receive money to create promotional items must submit a final proof of the graphic to the A&SF Business Office before purchase will be authorized.
