The Office of Social Justice Initiatives and Identity Programs (SJIIP) provides modest financial and logistical co-sponsorship support for events and programs sponsored by other UC Merced registered multicultural student organizations that are in good standing as defined in the student handbook.
The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion SJIIP Grant is an opportunity for recognized multicultural student clubs and organizations the opportunity to apply for funding on initiatives addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion/social justice. These grants are available for all registered multicultural clubs and organizations (MRCO) in good standing with the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) or communities that are partnered with MRCO. The EDI Grants for Multicultural RCO Collaboration contributes to student success by designing opportunities to create a sense of belonging, build community, develop critical thinking skills, learn about the impact of assessment on creating meaningful programs and initiates, and gain valuable skill regarding grant writing development.
SJIIP is committed to supporting programs/events that center the lived experiences, knowledge, and celebration of resilience for communities which have been historically and continually marginalized for their intersectional identities as people of color, womxn, income-insecure, LGBTQ+, differently abled-bodied/minded, documented status, immigrant status, non-traditional identities, etc. We commit to remaining conscious of our own positionality in the support and resources we provide.
Our philosophical foundation is grounded in Social Justice as both a process and a goal. "The goal of social justice education is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure."
Common Language for Applicants:
To ensure applicants have a full understanding of this application process and co-sponsorship, it is important to understand some of the language we will be utilizing.
What is equity?
Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions or systems, as well as in their distribution of resources. Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society.
~Monisha Kapila, “Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter” (2016), https://independentsector.org/resource/why-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-matter/
What is intersectionality?
Intersectionality is a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects. It’s not simply that there’s a race problem here, a gender problem here, and a class or LBGTQ problem there. Many times that framework erases what happens to people who are subject to all of these things.
~Kimberlé Crenshaw on Intersectionality, More than Two Decades Later (2017), https://www.law.columbia.edu/pt-br/news/2017/06/kimberle-crenshaw-intersectionality
What is Co-sponsorship?
Co-sponsorship is funding or logistical support for a specific programs/events where the UC Merced and SJIIP receives a benefit as well as recognition for the Co-sponsorship. Co-sponsorship is a means by which SJIIP enters into an agreement with any officially recognized UC Merced student organization for the purpose of offering a program jointly. Co-sponsorship is appropriate when there is a clear connection with, or a contribution to the university. It is intended that the educational mission of the co-sponsoring university department or university organization will be enhanced by the event. The university constituents value the opportunity for programming a co-sponsored event. The event must be open to the university faculty, staff and/or student.
What is a ‘Responsibility Plan of Action’?
A ‘Responsibility Plan of Action’ describes how an entity will address a situation where someone was verbally/emotionally/physically/psychologically harmed as a result of the activities taking place during your program/event.
Co-sponsorship:
There are a number of ways SJIIP can co-sponsor your program/event. We can offer any combination of the below:
- Advice on the program/event planning process – includes but is not limited to how to make your programs/event intersectional, getting the most bang for your buck, backwards calendaring
- Co-Planning the program/event – includes but is not limited to attending planning meetings, contributing to the development and content of the program/event
- Co-Funding – includes providing monetary support for the program/event
Co-sponsorship Criteria & Guidelines:
The following Co-sponsorship Criteria are required of all Co-sponsorships and must be met prior to submitting the application:
- Alignment with the mission, vision and values statement of the SJIIP
- Mandatory partnership with at least one other registered student organization and/or a cultural center
- Recognized Multicultural Student Organization must be in good standing with the Office of Student Involvement
- Meet with SJIIP at least three (3) times to develop the grant and assessment
- Be intersectional
- Supports student success
- Amount of support requested
- Provide a ‘Responsibility Plan of Action’
- Receive application at least SIX (6) weeks prior to the event date
If you receive Co-sponsorship, your organizations, department, unit must agree to the below Co-sponsorship guidelines:
- All advertising materials must include the SJIIP logo
- Assess how the program/event supports student success
- Provide a final program/event report which includes
- Impact summary of program/event
- Number of attendees
- Summary of the assessment (required due to the need to justify the allocation of commitments of staffing and funding to the university)
Given competing demands and limited resources, SJIIP cannot honor every request. We reserve the right to decline Co-sponsorship.
All applications will be reviewed by the Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identities professional and scholar staff. The SJIIP office will distribute funds based on the criteria above and until funding is exhausted. Once funds for the fiscal year are exhausted, we will not be able to co-sponsor programs/events monetarily.
Typical monetary Co-sponsorships levels are:
- $250 for smaller programs/events
- $500 for larger programs/events
All requests must be received at least SIX (6) weeks prior to the event date. For programs/events that occur in the first SIX (6) weeks of Fall or Spring, the application is due by the 30th of either November or the 10th of May, depending on the semester in which your event takes place. Applications will only be accepted online via the SJIIP EDI Grant Application.
All Co-sponsorship funds must be pulled from the SJIIP before May 30th of the academic year when the program/event takes place.
Funding Restrictions:
The Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs will not fund the below:
- Any program/event that does not comply with the vision, mission and values
- Programs/events found in violation of state law and/or university rules, regulations, policies, and procedures or activities.
- Research grants
- Wage or salary
- Gifts
- Fundraisers
- Payment to members of the organization for services rendered to that organization
- Honoraria and/or salary or service payments to UC University faculty and/or staff