The Big C

The application for 2023-2024 is open.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

Student Initiated Projects

What is the Big C?

Passed by student referendum in April 2017, The Big C (Big Community) Fee Referendum expanded staffing (student and permanent), programs, and services, including funding for student initiated projects, offered through the Centers for Educational Justice & Community Engagement (EJCE) that serve the Berkeley community. EJCE serves all students by fostering communities, providing support and educational services to the campus as a whole. EJCE is African American Student Development (AASD) | Asian Pacific American Student Development (APASD) | Chicanx Latinx Student Development (CLSD) | Multicultural Community Center (MCC) | Native American Student Development (NASD) | Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq).

What is the Student Initiated Projects Fund?

EJCE recognizes that there is a greater need for programs and projects for communities than can currently be provided. Allocating approximately 9% of the Big C fee allows for student-initiated diversity, multicultural and equity projects and programs for graduate and undergraduate students and communities. This will support students' ability to create and lead programs that are relevant to their current interests and direct needs.

The Big C Student Initiated Projects Fund is intended to create a more inclusive campus community providing funding for student-centered and student-initiated direct service projects that focus on needs of underrepresented and historically marginalized populations including educational projects & programs impacting the broader community and the climate of the Berkeley campus.  

Projects should address/contain at least one of the following:

• Impact on the broader campus community
• Impact the current campus climate, serve an under-served or historically marginalized population on campus
• Address current gaps in service for students
• Work towards retention of current students
• Serve undergraduate and graduate students (projects serving both graduate and undergraduate students are given stronger consideration).           
• Projects should align with the purpose of the Big C Student Fee referendum and the purpose of Student Initiated Projects.                             

ELIGIBILITY

1. Proposals for projects and initiatives may only be submitted by undergraduate or graduate students who will be registered at the time of funding disbursement to the project. These student-initiated projects may be submitted on behalf of any of the following: a UCB Registered Student Organization (RSO) through OASIS (formerly the LEAD Center) or a campus department, a group of students or an individual student working with a campus unit/department where the funds will be housed.
2. Individual or groups of students that are not affiliated with campus entity such as a RSO, ASUC, Graduate Assembly, campus department, etc must find a campus unit/department to be an administrative/financial sponsor who is willing to assist with the management of funding such as purchases, reimbursements, facilities reservations, etc. 
3. Proposals may not be submitted on behalf of a campus department, administrative or academic, with a primary goal of enhancing or supplementing their budget.

TYPES OF FUNDING

One-time: Proposals may be submitted requesting funding for a single event or project.

ALLOWABLE COSTS

All Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students pay The Big C fee of $33.00 for the Fall and Spring semesters in the 2023-2024 academic year. By policy, Big C revenues are designated to cover services and programs that directly benefit students and are complementary to, but not a part of, the core instructional program.

These services and programs include, but are not limited to:

• operating and capital expenses for services related to the physical and psychological health and well-being of students;
• social, recreational, and cultural activities and programs;
• services related to campus life and campus community;
• technology expenses directly related to the services; and
• career support

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the online application form.

The application worksheet can be used to organize information submitted on the application form.

The budget template that can be used for the required budget proposal.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND FIDUCIARY

Each project must appoint at least one student who will be responsible to provide tracking of expenditures and to answer an end-of-year survey.  Guidelines for tracking expenditures and handling unspent funds will be given at info sessions and with notice of granting of application.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Applications are due Monday, January 22, 2024 at NOON.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Open Q&A sessions with the Co-Chairs will be hosted on ZoomAttending an information session is recommended, but not mandatory.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS

Proposals will be reviewed by the Big C Advisory Committee. 

cici ambrosio and Lupe Gallegos-Diaz: thebigc@berkeley.edu