Friday, August 19, 2016 $1.9 Million in Grants and Sponsorships Fund Student Affairs Programs
Six departments and more than 16 programs in the Division of Student Affairs benefitted from $1,914,646 in grant and sponsorship funds during the 2016 calendar year.
"We are excited to report how successful some of our departments have been in their efforts to gain financial assistance. Most of these funds go directly to help our students,” said Vice Chancellor Juan N. Franco.
Some grants like the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program from the Community Health Endowment Foundation are multi-year commitments extending through 2017. A partnership facilitated by the Center for Civic Engagement between the University of Nebraska and the Lincoln community, the VITA program assisted more than 1,200 students and community members with 2015 tax returns.
In May, TRIO’s Education Talent Search grant from the U.S. Department of Education was renewed for $456,000 per year for five years (2016-2020). This pre-college program for first-generation and low-income students works on academic preparedness for college with three high schools and six middle schools in Lincoln Public Schools.
Currently, the Center for Civic Engagement has two additional grant requests under review. Vice Chancellor Franco is optimistic that additional grants and fundraising opportunities will follow.
“With the cost of a college education increasing every year, it is imperative that we seek external funds to provide for the needs of our students while keeping tuition and fees as low as possible,” said Franco.
Student fees represent an important $18 million of the division’s budget; however, Student Affairs auxiliary units generate 75.5 percent of the overall budget of $94.1 million. In coming years, Student Affairs hopes to continue growing additional sources of revenue to continually meet students’ needs.
| Program | Funding Source | Purpose | 2016 Funds |
| Campus High Risk Behaviors Task Force (Student Affairs) | Nebraska Collegiate Consortium | Funding for playing cards that prompt healthy and challenging dialogue among students on topics like personal health and safety, diversity, and alcohol and other drugs. | $1,500 |
| Campus Recreation Programs (Campus Recreation) | LinPepCo, Downtown Lincoln Association, Noodles & Company, Raising Canes, Celerion, University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union, Adidas, Quest, Huskertech, Naked Juice | Sponsorship of various programs and events. | $114,939 |
| Community Learning Centers and Neighbor Works (Center for Civic Engagement) | ServeNebraska | Grant to provide 3 nine-month full-time AmeriCorps volunteers and 9 minimum time volunteer workers. | $38,000 |
| Cook Pavilion (Campus Recreation) | Nebraska Department of Environmental Equality | Funding to support replacing the synthetic turf inside Cook Pavilion for general student use. | $46,636 |
| Classic Upward Bound (TRIO) | U.S. Department of Education | Five-year grant to provide pre-college preparation for first-generation and low-income students in 3 LPS high schools. | $262,500 |
| Education Talent Search (TRIO) | U.S. Department of Education | Five-year grant to provide pre-college preparation to first-generation and low-income students in 3 LPS high schools and 6 middle schools. | $456,000 |
| End of Year Bash (Student Involvement) | Union Bank | Sponsorship of Campus NightLife social programming for students to increase diverse opportunities and promote student engagement. | $10,000 |
| Fulbright Scholar Program (Center for Civic Engagement, in partnershpi with CEHS) | Fulbright Scholar Programs | Two-year grant to provide funds to support inclusion and diversity in the classroom. Funds support 10 visiting teacher education scholars in each fall. | $20,000 |
| LGBTQA+ Consortium Institute (Student Involvement) | Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau | Sponsorship toward hosting a national conference program for higher education professionals about LGBTQA+ student issues and best practices. | $500 |
| RecFest (Campus Recreation) | Union Bank | Engage students in recreation and fitness activities at the beginning of the academic year. | $5,000 |
| Student Program Support (Student Affairs) | Union Bank | Five-year grant to promote college retention and graduation of first-generation, low-income and students with disabilities. | $5,000 |
| Student Support Services (TRIO) | U.S. Department of Education | Five-year grant to promote college retention and graduation of first-generation, low-income and students with disabilities. | $496,104 |
| Students of Color Career Advisory Committee (Office for Academic Support and Intercultural Services, in partnership with Multicultural Business Student Association) | Union Pacific | Sponsorship for two career-related programs: "Life After UNL: Your Story Continues" and 2016 Professional Networking Reception. | $4,300 |
| Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement (Center for Civic Engagement) | U.S. State Department | Three-year grant to bring African student leaders to the U.S. to explore U.S. history, government, citizenship, community building, economic development, political activism and volunteerism. | $76,667 |
| Upward Bound Math & Science (TRIO) | U.S. Department of Education | Five-year grant to provide pre-college preparation for first-generation and low-income students in 3 LPS high schools. | $262,500 |
| Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (Center for Civic Engagement) | Community Health Endowment Foundation | Funds to hire staff to assist with tax site supervision, data collection, policy development and volunteer recruitment. | $120,000 |
| $1,919,646 |