ASI Leadership Funding (ALF)

Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) provides ASI Leadership Funding (ALF) for student organizations’ events and student at large attendance at professional conferences.

With the return to campus, it is more important than ever for students to stay engaged whether that is with their fellow clubs and organizations or by attending conferences to build their personal or professional development. These all help build community, strengthen relationships, and keep CSUSM students engaged. ASI has a mission to serve, engage, and empower students and we recognize the impact campus student organizations and professional development have in driving that mission.

ASI has allocated approximately $25,000 to ALF for the 2022/2023 Academic Year. The ASI Executive Vice President and professional staff members determine the allocation of these funds.  All such allocations are made in accordance with the ASI Bylaws and CSUSM-ASI Viewpoint Neutrality Policy and General Procedures. 

How to Get Your Funds

There are two ways to receive funding from ASI Leadership Funding!

1. Direct Funding to Recognized Student Organizations

There is no application necessary to receive this funding! If you are a member of a officially recognized student organization with the Student Leadership and Involvement Center (SLIC), ASI will move these funds directly into your on-campus account one time each year. There is no action that needed to receive the funding. We hope that this funding will help support you in any of your student organizations’ future endeavors.

2. Applications for On-Campus Events and Off-Campus Conference Reimbursement

ASI provides applications for reimbursement opportunities for pre-approved student organizations’ events and individual student attendance at professional conferences. Approved funding is based on eligibility and compliance with the procedures outlined. See below for applications!

Guidelines and Application for On-Campus Recognized Student Organizations' Events

Approved funding for a registered student organization's (RSO) on-campus event is based on eligibility and compliance with the procedures outlined below.  Awarded funds are on a first come-first served basis. Application must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to event date. These funds are for reimbursement or for payment to vendors.  Events must take place during the academic year. Student Organizations are not approved for funding until after application has been accepted and approved.

All events must be conducted in compliance with applicable University rules, regulations and policies, including facilities use policies if the event will require reservation and use of University space.  All events must be compliant with and not violate any federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance, code, or regulation. 

Each student organization has a maximum reimbursement of $500 for events open to the whole campus community and $250 maximum for events only open to student organization and its members. See below for more details.

• What is the process?

  Funding decisions shall be made in the order of when the application was received.     Awarded funds are on a first come, first served basis.  Events must take place during the academic year.  Awards must be made in conformance with ASI’s viewpoint neutrality requirement.

  All of the individuals making a funding decision shall use a standardized evaluation form.

  Application must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to event taking place. Event is not considered approved until application review. The applicant will receive an email noting the decision on the applications within 5 business days of final submission with all signatures. If approved, recipients are required to submit receipts or payment requests no later than June 5th of the academic year in which the event takes place; such receipts should be sent to alf@csusm.edu with purchaser information in order to process payments for the awarded funds.

  Once documentation is received, reimbursements process within ten (10) business days pending no outstanding items are needed for processing.

• What are the guidelines?

  An RSO shall be eligible to obtain ALF funding if it satisfies the following requirements at the time the application is submitted: (1) the RSO is properly registered as a recognized student organization in good standing through Student Leadership & Involvement Center (SLIC), and (2) a representative of the RSO has attended a financing workshop prior to submitting their first funding application for the academic school year.

  All applications for ALF funding by an eligible RSO shall be granted in the amount requested provided that: (1) ALF funds are still available at the time the application is submitted, and (2) the RSO-sponsored event or program satisfies the following requirements and conditions:

  1. The event will be held on-campus.
  2. The event will be free to attend.
  3. The application must contain a budget detailing how the funds will be used. Funding may only be used for consumable items and facility costs such as food for attendees, paper products, event/program advertising, and rental or cleaning costs.
  4. Funding is not available, and may not be used, for any of the following: door prizes, raffles, opportunity drawings, honorariums, speaker fees, donations, gifts, or give-away items.
  5. An RSO may receive up to $500 in ALF funding per semester.
  6. If an event or program is not open to the entire campus community, the maximum ALF amount that may be requested is $250.
  7. If an event or program is open to the entire campus community, the maximum ALF amount that may be requested is $500.
  8. An RSO may co-sponsor an event with another RSO. For a co-sponsored event, each RSO is eligible to submit an application for the maximum amount.  Co-sponsored events can be funded up to $1,500.  ALF contribution for co-sponsored funding is not available for individual RSO members.
  9. Incomplete applications will be rejected and must be re-submitted as a new application. Must still follow application timeline requirements.
  10. Use of funding for any activity not disclosed in the application will disqualify an RSO from receiving any future ALF funding for a period of one academic year.
  11. Funding may only be used or expended in support of the specific program or event identified in the funding application.
• My application was approved, now what?

  The applicant will receive an email noting the decision on the applications within 5 business days of application final submission with all required signatures. If approved, recipients are required to submit receipts or payment requests no later than June 5th of the academic year in which the event takes place; such receipts should be sent to alf@csusm.edu with purchaser information in order to process payments for the awarded funds.

  Once documentation is submitted to ASI, reimbursements process within ten (10) business days pending no outstanding items are needed for processing.

• What if my application or part of my application was denied?

  Each RSO shall submit its application to ASI Executive Vice President electronically.  No later than the close of business five business days from the date the application is submitted, ASI Executive Vice President must approve or deny the application and deliver their decision in writing via electronic communication to the person that submitted the application on behalf of the RSO.  Email is permissible for this notification.  If the application satisfies the criteria set forth above and ALF funds are available, ASI Executive Vice President must approve the application as submitted.  If ASI Executive Vice President denies the application or decreases the original funding request amount, ASI Executive Vice President must (1) issue their decision in writing to the RSO, and (2) identify the specific reasons for the denial or reduction.  If the RSO disagrees with the decision, the RSO may request a meeting with ASI Executive Vice President or ASI Executive Vice President’s designee within three (3) business days of receipt of the decision.  The meeting shall take place within five (5) business days of the request pending scheduling availability.  At the meeting, the parties will discuss the application and ASI Executive Vice President shall explain ASI Executive Vice President’s reasons for any reduction in amount or denial of the application.  The RSO will receive written notice of ASI Executive Vice President’s decision within three (3) business days after the meeting.  If the decision confirms the denial of or decrease in funding, the decision will explain and state in writing the reasons why the funding was denied or decreased.        

  1. Appeal Process

              If the RSO contends that ASI Executive Vice President’s post-meeting decision violates or did not comply with the  viewpoint neutrality requirement, it may file an appeal.  The RSO has five (5) business days after receipt of the written post-meeting decision to file an appeal.  Such appeal must be in writing and state the reason the RSO believes the application was wrongfully denied or reduced.  The appeal shall be limited to the question of whether the application was properly denied pursuant to the policy or whether viewpoint or opinion played an impermissible role in the denial or reduction.

              The CSUSM Vice President of Student Affairs (“VPSA”) or the VPSA’s designee will review the appeal and issue a written decision as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than ten (10) business days of receipt of appeal.

              The VPSA or the VPSA’s designee shall determine “de novo” (i.e., without any deference to the ASI Executive Vice President’s decision) whether the funding decision complied with the terms of the policy or whether it violated the viewpoint neutrality requirement. 

Apply for an RSO Event

Apply in these easy steps:

1. Click blue button for application for on-campus events. Select "On Campus Event Funding Approval" from drop down. You will need the email information for your student organization president and faculty/staff advisor so make sure to have that handy!
   • You will also need to know what items you are asking for money for so make sure to have your event budget information ready to go (i.e. how much you are asking for and what items are you asking to cover). Just a reminder, see guidelines above for what is and what NOT covered by ASI Leadership Funding. Funding is not available, and may not be used, for any of the following: door prizes, raffles, opportunity drawings, honorariums, speaker fees, donations, gifts, or give-away items.
   • Application must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to event date.
2. Complete form information on this form and make sure to check your email after as application to be completed will be sent to that email.
3. Complete application and await application review. The applicant will receive an email noting the decision of their application within 5 business days of final submission -after all parties including President and Advisor have signed the document.  Conference is not considered approved for funding until reviewed and approved by ASI Executive Vice President.
   • Do not plan on receiving reimbursement funds until you have been officially approved via Adobe Sign.

On-Campus Event Funding Application

Guidelines and Application for Off-Campus Professional Development Conferences

Funding is available for current CSUSM student to attend professional development conferences off-campus. Awarded funds are on a first come-first served basis. 

• What is the process?

  1. Complete application below and attachments must include documentation about conference, which must include title, subject, location and dates.

  2. Submit completed packet online at least 48 hours prior to conference dates. APPLY EARLY if possible.
  

  3. The applicant will receive an email noting the decision of their application within 5 business days of submission.  If approved, recipients are required to submit proof of attendance and a written statement after conference via email to alf@csusm.edu in order to process reimbursement payment for their awarded funds. Students will not receive reimbursement unless proper documentation is submitted.

  All student requests for student attendance at professional conferences must comply with Accounts Payable policy.

  Funding decisions shall be made in the order of when the application was received.  Awarded funds are on a first come, first served basis. Conferences  must take place during the academic year. Awards must be made in conformance with ASI’s viewpoint neutrality requirement

  ASI shall not, in administering this Policy, evaluate or consider in any way the nature or content of the conference activity other than to verify that the described conference activity actually exists, and that it complies with all applicable University rules, regulations, and policies and all applicable federal, state or local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, or regulations.  ASI’s role with respect to reimbursement for student conference activity shall be limited to (i) verifying that the stated conference is actually taking place.

• What are the guidelines?

  Conferences must take place during the academic year.  Student conference includes, but is not limited to, conferences, seminars, symposia, workshops, retreats or similar events and meetings (together, called “conference activity”) selected by the student. 

  Conference is not considered approved for funding until reviewed and approved by ASI Executive Vice President. Do not plan on receiving funds until they have been officially approved.

  We will not fund any conferences after May 29, 2023. Proof of attendance for this conference must be presented no later than June 2, 2023.

  • Applicant must be a currently enrolled CSUSM student
  • Conference must follow all guidelines outlined in this packet
  • No more than four students attending the same conference may obtain ALF funds.
  • International conferences will not be funded.
  • Student may attend a conference only once per semester.
    • May apply for up two within academic year (i.e. one in fall and one in spring). Summer and winter intersession shall be considered fall semester.
  • Student will only receive funds upon submit of proof of attendance and written statement.
  • Club sports teams and other student recreation sports may only apply if the individual or team is participating in a national title championship.
  • Incomplete applications will be denied, at the discretion of the ASI Executive Vice President.

  Provisions of California Assembly Bill No. 1887

  Effective September 27, 2016, California Assembly Bill No. 1887 prohibits ASI from approving a request for ASI-funded or ASI-sponsored travel to any state that, after June 26, 2015, has enacted a law that:

  • Voids or repeals or has the effect of voiding or repealing, existing state or local protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; or
  • Has enacted a law that authorizes or reflects discrimination against same-sex couples or their families, or on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, as specified, subject to certain exceptions.

  This prohibition currently extends to the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. This list may be subject to change.

• My application was approved, now what?

  If approved, how much will I be approved for? We funded reimbursements on the following guidelines:

  • One day in-state conference within 400 miles from campus: $100.00 award
  • Two days or more conference within 400 miles from campus: $250.00 award
  • One day conference outside of 400 miles from campus: $200.00 award
  • Two days or more conference outside of 400 miles from campus: $425.00 award

  The applicant will receive an email noting the decision of their application within 5 business days of submission.  If approved, recipients are required to submit proof of attendance and a written statement via email to alf@csusm.edu in order to process reimbursement payment for their awarded funds. Students will not receive reimbursement unless proper documentation is submitted.

  After documentation is received to ASI, reimbursements process within ten (10) business days pending no outstanding items are needed for processing.

• What if my application is denied?

  Reconsideration of Application Decision

  If ASI denies the student travel/conference application or decreases the original funding request amount, ASI must (1) issue its decision in writing to the student, and (2) identify the specific reasons for the denial or reduction.  If the student disagrees with the decision, the student may request a meeting with ASI Executive Vice President or ASI Executive Vice President’s designee within three business days of receipt of the decision.  The meeting shall take place within five (5) business days of the request.  At the meeting, the parties will discuss the application and the ASI administrator shall explain the reasons for any reduction in amount or denial of the application.  The student will receive written notice of ASI’s decision within three (3) business days after the meeting.  If the decision confirms the denial of or decrease in funding, the decision will explain and state in writing the reasons why the funding was denied or decreased.        

  Appeal Process

              If the student contends that ASI’s post-meeting decision violates or did not comply with the viewpoint neutrality requirement, the student may file an appeal within five (5) business days after receipt of the written decision to file an appeal.  Such appeal must be in writing and state the reason the student believes the application was wrongfully denied or reduced.  The appeal shall be limited to the question of whether the application was properly denied pursuant to the policy or whether viewpoint or opinion played an impermissible role in the denial or reduction.

              The CSUSM Vice President of Student Affairs (“VPSA”) or VPSA’s designee will review the appeal and issue a written decision as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than ten (10) business days of receipt of appeal.

     Standard of Review

              The VPSA or VPSA’s designee shall determine “de novo” (i.e., without any deference to the decisions below) whether the funding decision complied with the terms of the policy or whether it violated the viewpoint neutrality requirement. 

Apply to the Professional Development Conferences 

Apply in these easy steps:

1. Click blue button for application for off campus conferences. Select "Conference Funding Application" from drop down. You will need documentation regarding your conference as part of your application so make sure to have that handy to upload.
2. Complete form information on this form and make sure to check your email after as application to be completed will be sent to that email.
3. Complete application with attachments (must show conference date, time, and location) and await application review. The applicant will receive an email noting the decision of their application within 5 business days of submission.  Conference is not considered approved for funding until reviewed and approved by ASI Executive Vice President. Do not plan on receiving funds until they have been officially approved.

Conference Funding Application