Student Affairs Diversity Fund

The University of Rhode Island Student Affairs Diversity Fund was established by the Division of Student Affairs, the Dean of Students Office, Housing and Residential Life, and Health Services to increase the multicultural competence of the URI campus community by infusing diversity, equity, and inclusiveness into University programs,
policies, and practices. Campus departments and student organizations may request money from the fund in order to support these initiatives. Representatives from the Dean of Students Office and the Student Affairs Diversity Committee administer the fund and review requests for funding.

Multicultural competence refers to the ability to learn, teach, work, and interact with people of diverse and multiple identities, including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic class, nationality, religion, age, and military status.

This fund will provide financial support up to $1,000.00 towards on-campus programming sponsored by the student organizations affiliated with the University of Rhode Island that celebrates diversity, creates an inclusive community, and affirms and supports the individual’s desire to belong.

Guidelines

  • Complete the Diversity Fund Application to be considered for funding. **Incomplete requests will not be considered.
  • Initiatives can include, but are not limited to, cultural celebrations, educational speakers, diversity awareness campaigns, advancement of underrepresented populations, cultural collaborations, and other collaborative events.
  • The URI student body must be the primary audience of these diversity initiatives. Proposals should be able to demonstrate that the initiative will benefit the campus community.
  • The fund is open to initiatives sponsored by URI student organization.
  • The fund is intended to be used toward essential costs of the initiative including but not limited to speaker fees or travel costs, food and beverage expenses, initiative-specific equipment, marketing and advertising (i.e. Printing Services), and space reservations.
    • Unintended uses of the fund include, but are not limited to, continuous operating expenses (printing, regular meeting room reservations, etc.), gifts, awards, alcohol, member recognition events, and events that are not open to URI students.
    • Maximum amount awarded per initiative is $1,000.00.
    • Exceptions to requests for more than $1,000.00 may occur on a case-by-case basis. If you request more than $1,000.00, provide a supplemental statement with a justification of request for more than the maximum amount.
    • All outside suppliers must be pre-approved upon request for funds. uri.edu/controller/supplier-registration/
    • Food: URI Dining Services is an approved caterer/supplier, and the use of an outside supplier must be pre-approved, and the Catering Waiver form must also be completed before funds are requested.
      Dining Catering Policy – uri.edu/dining/catering-policy/
      Catering Waiver Form – uri.edu/catering/files/CATERING_WAIVER_FORM_v3.pdf
  • Considerations for each proposal may include prior requests, availability of funds, compliance with guidelines, the overall benefit to the student body, and relation to pertinent campus or current issues.
  • Deadline: Proposals for events and activities need to be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event.
  • Publicity: By accepting funding, the recipient affirms that all publicity for the event will designate the URI Student Affairs Diversity Fund as a co-sponsor of the event.

Note: If approved, you will receive an email notification of the amount funded and the specifics of how to access these funds. Approval needs to be given before the organization can access the awarded amount and before the initiative occurs. The funds must be spent in accordance with the approved proposed budget.

All receipts/invoices should be sent to Lara Fayanjuola, Dean of Students Office, 302 Memorial Union, 50 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI, 02881. If proper procedures are not followed correctly and in a timely fashion, payment of invoices and reimbursements will be delayed. These delays will be weighed heavily toward future requests.

To apply, please complete an application form and return it to the Dean of Students Office. Please allow at least 3 business days for processing and review. For More Information, send us an email at dso@etal.uri.edu.