Planning and Funding Support

The Student Engagement office is here to be a resource to the student clubs and organizations at CMC. Whether you need help developing a programming idea, training your members, or just need to reserve a space - the Student Engagement staff is here to help.

Below we have listed some helpful tips for things to consider when preparing and funding an event. In addition, there are several resources available for you to use. We encourage you to use any and all of this information to make your event successful. When you need to register your event or reserve a space please use the forms linked below. If you have more questions about Student Engagement policy, use the link provided or stop by Student Engagement to speak with a member of our staff.

Register an Event and Reserve Space Request approval for party or similar social event

• See Requirements for Registering a Party and Similar Social Event

Event Planning 101

1. What are the basics of your event? What do you envision your program to be?
   1. Time of day/ Time of year
   2. Estimated Attendance
   3. Indoor vs. outdoor
   4. Equipment
   5. Food/drink
   6. Decorations
   7. Staffing
   8. Budget
2. How will you measure the success of the event? How will you document areas of improvement?

Meet with Student Engagement Staff

We’re here to talk you through the basic event planning policies and connect you with some event planning resources. We’ll ask you a bunch of the basics of your event, and try to help make sure everything is in place for a successful event.

Publicize Your Event

Once your event is approved, it is time to tell everyone about it. You’ve put a lot of work into the success of this event, now it is time to make sure your audience shows up. While it is tempting to just use the DL and Facebook, you might be missing some of the community. Try posting a poster to digital signage, talk with RAs about telling their residents, and don’t forget about Faculty and Staff!

Host Your Event

There is still some work to be done; like setting up, troubleshooting last minute issues, and cleaning up. If you wish you had more help, make sure you note it just in case your organization wants to do the event again in the future. Have fun and take in the success of your event. Be sure to leave the event space in the same condition as you found it. You may be charged for any post-event clean up.

One of the most underestimated tasks for students is planning an event. Many students either plan poorly or fail to plan at all what is usually their greatest opportunity to project a positive image for their peers. This guide provides information about policies, resources and steps related to planning a successful event on or off campus. You are encouraged to look it over and then contact the Student Engagement Office in Heggblade Center for further assistance in planning your event.

Funding Support

Have a new idea for an event but are short of funding? The Student Engagement Office offers a variety of ways to help get your idea off the ground. The funding options listed below represent the different ways that students and faculty can work to make their events come to fruition. The primary purpose of these funds is to bring amazing events to as many members of the community as possible, not to support individual endeavors with limited scope*. If you have an individual pursuit, we recommend seeking out an existing organization for partnership or connecting with other campus departments who may be able to offer support to more specialized avenues.

• ASCMC Student Senate - The Senate takes audience of students who are looking to make change or enhance experiences at CMC. The ASCMC Senators will hear proposals from individual students and clubs throughout the year and determine if they have support the initiative monetarily. For more information, visit ASCMC.org.
• Club and Organization Funding - ASCMC oversees the funding for all CMC Clubs and Organizations and contributes to the funding for 5C clubs as well. If you missed club budgeting, are a new club, or just need more money for the functioning of your organization, please visit ASCMC.org to inquire about requesting funding.
• Crown Special Events Fund - This fund was established by the Crown Family Foundation in 1978 to support CMC students in creating a vibrant and diverse social life. The Crown Fund provides resources to promote student interaction as well as opportunities for intellectual, social, and culturally enriching special events. This fund is to benefit the larger student community where alternate sources of funding may not usually be available. To submit a request, please contact a Student Engagement staff member.
• Richard M. Shure Mentor Fund - Student and Faculty interaction outside of the classroom helps to improve relationships and inspire both parties. The Shure Fund supports out of classroom interactions when faculty and students are involved. If you are a faculty member looking to host a movie night or a student seeking a dinner with other students and your favorite professor, consider requesting Shure funding to help monetarily support your event. To submit a request, please contact a Student Engagement staff member.
• Not meeting your needs? - If the above options for funding do not apply to your situation, consider looking at different areas around the college for partnerships. Is there an institute or department that may share a similar mission? Consider teaming up to gain resources, support, and people power to allow your idea to flourish.

*Funding requests which have a limited personal benefit for one student or small group of students will not be approved. For example a group of students who request funding to attend a concert is not something that would be funded. Whereas a group of students who request funding to bring a musical act to campus may be funded, as the activity has the potential to benefit the entire CMC community.