The Big C

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 UC Berkeley community. EJCE serves all students by fostering communities and providing support and educational services to the campus as a whole. EJCE is African American Student Development (AASD) + Fannie Lou Hamer Black Resource Center | Asian Pacific American Student Development (APASD) + HFA C-10 Community Center* (*placeholder name until Spring 2025 opening) | Chicanx Latinx Student Development (CLSD) + Latinx Student Resource Center | Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq) | Multicultural Community Center (MCC) | and Native American Student Development (NASD) + Native Community Center.

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. Thus, approximately 9% of the Big C fee is allocated to fund student-initiated diversity, multicultural, and equity projects and programs for graduate and undergraduate students and communities. This supports 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.
2. Proposals may be submitted on behalf of Registered Student Organizations (in OASIS, formerly LEAD Center), Fraternities & Sororities, ASUC, Graduate Assembly, and other groups under Berkeley Student Leadership & Engagement. Proposals can also be submitted by individuals or groups of students who are involved with a campus unit/department which will act as the administrative/financial sponsor and 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 $33.75 for the Fall and Spring semesters in the 2024-2025 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 proposal 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 20, 2025 11:59pm.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

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

Thursday, November 14, 2:00-3:00 pm
Thursday, November 21, 5:00-6:00 pm
Monday, November 25, 4:00-5:00pm