Approved by the ASI Board of Directors – February 3, 2021.

Philosophy

ASI Social Justice Program Funding is available for currently chartered Cal Poly Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs), Cal Poly departments, and Instructionally Related Activities (IRAs) to co-sponsor events or projects intended to form community and bring awareness to a broad range of Cal Poly students regarding issues facing underrepresented minority students.

Publicity

ASI Social Justice Program Funding procedures and applications will be available on the ASI website. Promotion of the funding will be completed via a campus-wide outreach program including but not limited to the ASI website, Cal Poly Portal, social media, and email newsletters.

Eligibility

Applying organizations must be currently chartered Cal Poly RSOs with on campus bank account managed by ASI, Cal Poly departments, or IRAs.

ASI Social Justice Program Funding is limited to a maximum allotment of 3 events or projects per year/per group not exceeding $3,000 in total.

Terms of Funding

1. ASI Social Justice Program Funding must be used for the purpose of supporting events or projects intended to form community and bring awareness to a broad range of Cal Poly students regarding issues facing underrepresented minority students.
   1. Events or projects seeking to be co-sponsored with ASI Social Justice Program Funding must meet the following criteria:
      1. Aim to enrich the overall campus community that champion social justice, diversity, and inclusion for a broad range of Cal Poly students.
      2. Bring awareness to Cal Poly students about issues facing underrepresented minority students
   2. If an organization is requesting ASI Social Justice Program funding for more than one event or project, a separate application must be completed for each.
   3. ASI Social Justice Program Funding may be used as the sole source of funding
   4. If an RSO has applied for and received both, ASI Club Event Co-Sponsorship Funding and ASI Social Justice Program funding, ASI Social Justice Program Funding will be applied first to all eligible expenses.
      1. ASI Club Event Co-Sponsorship can fund up to 50 percent of the total eligible event(s) expenses not to exceed $1,650 per fiscal year. This is a matching funds sponsorship which means that RSOs must have available general funds in their account to match the amount being allocated in ASI Club Event Co-Sponsorship. ASI Social Justice Program Funding cannot be used to fund the remaining 50 percent.
   5. ASI reserves the right to disqualify any organization from applying for ASI Social Justice Program Funding indefinitely for attempts to defraud or deceive.
   6. All funding decisions will be made without regard to the viewpoint being expressed by the requesting organization. For more information regarding ASI’s Viewpoint Neutrality Policy, please visit the ASI website.

Expenditure Guidelines

1. ASI Social Justice Program Funding must be used for purposes consistent with the California State University Board of Trustees, Campus Administrative Policies and ASI Policies.
2. The following expenditures of ASI Social Justice Program Funding are not permitted:
   1. Expenditures to directly support or oppose any candidate for public office, whether partisan or not, or to support or oppose any issue before the voters as required by California Education Code Title V, Section 42403
   2. Charitable donations
   3. Alcohol
   4. Door prizes, awards, gifts (including gift cards/certificates)
   5. Payroll expenses

Application Procedures

1. ASI Student Government will begin accepting applications beginning July 1.
2. ASI Social Justice Program Funding applications are available on Cal Poly now via the link below.
3. The requesting organization must complete the application and obtain an approved digital signature of a club officer and advisor indicated on the current Charter (RSO), department chair (Department), or IRA advisor (IRA).
4. ASI Social Justice Program Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted.
5. If an event or project is sponsored by multiple organizations, only one can receive funds to pay for the associated expenses
6. ASI Social Justice Program Funding Applications must be submitted a minimum of 21 days prior to the event or project start date.
7. For RSOs, an E-Plan must be on file for an event prior to the application submission.
8. Once ASI Social Justice Program Funding is exhausted, applications will no longer be accepted. Additionally, all unfunded applications will be returned to the requesting organization.
9. Submittal of an application for ASI Social Justice Program Funding does not guarantee funding will be allocated.
10. If approved, an email will be sent to the requesting organization regarding the timeline and process for reconciling ASI Social Justice Program Funding.

Decision Process

1. ASI Social Justice Program Funding appropriation recommendations will be made by a committee with representatives from the Cross Cultural Centers (one staff member and two students), the Chair of the ASI Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and an ASI Student Government officer.
   1. The committee will be responsible for reviewing all applications to determine if they meet the terms of funding to receive ASI Social Justice Program Funding
2. ASI Social Justice Program funding appropriation decisions will be made by the ASI officers, in consultation with a Cross Cultural Center staff representative, until the recommending committee is established.
3. Final review and approval will be made by the ASI officers. The ASI officers will consider the committee’s recommendation when making final budget allocation decisions.
4. An email indicating approval or denial of the ASI Social Justice Program Funding request will be sent to the requesting entity.
   1. If approved, an email will be sent regarding the timeline and process of reconciling ASI Social Justice Program Funding.
   2. If denied, an email will be sent to the requesting entity explaining the reason why funding was not allocated.
      1. A written request from the requesting organization may be submitted to ASI Student Government within two weeks of the denial notification to appeal the decision.
      2. If appealed, a meeting may be scheduled between the requesting organizations representatives, and the ASI officers to discuss the reasons for denial.
      3. All decisions after the meeting are final and are not subject to further appeal.

Recognition of ASI Financial Support

Organizations are encouraged to recognize ASI as a sponsor in public announcements and promotional materials whenever practical, by stating “Co-Sponsored by ASI Student Government”

Reconciliation Procedures for RSOs

1. A completed ASI Social Justice Program Funding Payment Request Form (PRF) with appropriate back-up documentation must be submitted to ASI Club Services in order to access funds.
2. ASI Social Justice Program Funding PRFs must be submitted to ASI Club Services no later than 2 weeks after the event or project end date. A one-week extension may be granted upon written request to ASI Club Services.
3. Unused funds will be returned to ASI if PRFs are not submitted by the due date.
4. Late ASI Social Justice Program Funding PRFs will not be reimbursed utilizing ASI Social Justice Program Funding

Reconciliation Procedures for Departments

1. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASI and the requesting department or IRA outlining the terms of the funding support will be initiated by ASI following approval by the ASI officers.
2. No later than 2 weeks after the event or project end date, the authorized signer on behalf of the requesting department or IRA is required to provide verification of the terms of the agreement, along with an invoice to ASI for the approved amount.
3. Upon receipt of the invoice, ASI will provide payment to the requesting department or IRA.

RSOS Application Instructions for Cal Poly Now

RSOS should click on the RSOS Application below to apply via Cal Poly Now:

1. Click the “Forms” icon on your Cal Poly now homepage.
2. Click the “View Submissions” link on the Forms page.
3. Click the “Budgeting” tab.
4. Click “Create Request.” Select ASI Social Justice Program Funding.
5. Follow the instructions in the application.
6. Your club president and advisor will receive email notifications when it is their turn to review the request. Once they both review the request and move it forward, ASI Student Government will be notified. They will process the applications in the order received and notify clubs if their Budget Request is approved.

RSOs Application                 Departments & IRAs Application