East Tennessee State University offers a large number of opportunities for students, most notably through our wide array of student organizations. One way that the university offers to help these organizations thrive is through allocated funding.

“While I have seen some student groups raise large amounts of money, it’s just helpful to have a little bit set aside to make sure that there’s a relatively fair playing ground,” says Dean of Student Engagement and Director of Assessment, Leah Adinolfi.

The Better University Community Fund (B.U.C. Fund), which can be applied for through the Student Government Association, is a funding option for students, allocated by students. In order to be eligible for B.U.C. Fund money, you must be planning a one-time event or activity. This can also include traveling to an event. However, the event being funded must serve as a way to benefit the campus community or to meet a need that is not otherwise met. B.U.C. Fund cannot provide funding for food, operating costs or supplies that are not in relation to an event. Students can apply on a rolling bases up to twice a semester.

The Student Activities Allocation Committee Fund (SAAC Fund) is intended to fund a student organization or related department in preparation for the coming year. SAAC Funding can include operating cost, events, travel and more for multiple events. This is a once-per-year application process that is granted every July and allocates the committee-recommended amount of funding to the applicant for usage throughout the year. The committee is made up of both students and faculty.

You can only apply for B.U.C. Fund or SAAC Funding within a year. You cannot apply for both.

(Contributed/ETSU)

“I want student groups to know that these opportunities are available for them and we try to make sure that they know about that through several different means. . . but the big think, I think, is to distinguish between the two funds,” says Adinolfi.

Seed Money is another form of funding through the SGA that is specifically intended to help new organizations get their start. To be eligible to apply, a student organization must be less than two years old. This funding can be granted one-time for the organizations use in growing and advertising themselves.

The requirements, expectations and amounted granted vary between funding options. It is important for students to be aware that they may be asked to receive their funding as reimbursement or return leftover money, after their event concludes, back to the university. Student Organizations are also expected to follow university accounting procedures, which includes having a faculty member handle their funds for them.