On the posters in the hallways of Bradley University, you have most likely seen a SABRC label. Despite its small label, it is a crucial committee for Bradley’s student-related events.
SABRC stands for Student Activities Budget Review Committee. According to Cara Wood, SABRC faculty adviser, “SABRC is the student organization that is responsible for allocating student activities dollars that each student pays in their tuition to other student organizations for program purposes.” Funding is available for student organizations that are recognized by the Activities Office. Paityn Trantham, a Junior Manufacturing Engineering Major, and the Chairperson of SABRC stated that “The whole purpose of SABRC is to fund events for the campus, not just like a certain set of people. We make sure the events we fund are worthwhile and that we are bringing sustenance to the community as a whole”. SABRC does not grant blanket funding for activities like general club meetings, fundraisers, or member-only events. Overall, every funded dollar must be beneficial to all students on campus.
When applying for funding you will need to fill out a funding Excel form and attend a hearing. Abby Farmer, who applied for funding in the past for Serve, provides some insight. “I never had any problems at the hearings. Sometimes they can be nerve-wracking, but the board is always super nice.” In regards to completing the Excel form, Farmer says, “My advice would be to spend a decent amount of time filling the form out with as much detail as you can and to bring it with you to the hearing to help answer any questions the board has.”
There are several areas on the Excel form that need to be completed. Under the Descriptions section, SABRC wants a description of the event and an explanation of how the program enhances a student’s time at Bradley. The board also takes into account who will be interested in the event. “The more information about the nature of your event, detail about what you hope to achieve, being clear about when and where you want to have the event,” Wood says, “the better.” The board also needs to make sure your description lines up with the rest of the Excel sheet.
The next main section is Event Marketing. Here, the board is ensuring that the event is publicized to students outside of the requestor’s club. “I always look at marketing. So make sure you are marketing to the campus, and not just being on social media because social media is not the only answer” said Trantham. Some ideas include advertising with the faculty, utilizing other student organizations, passing out flyers, making announcements on Hilltop Happenings, or using a Scout ad.
The next section is Event Expenses. The board is asking for websites, photos, appropriate quantities, and prices. “We see common mistakes in quantities,” said Trantham. “If you are requesting a 35 pack and you are requesting 3 quantities of this 35 pack and you are only thinking that 50 people will be at the event, we need to make sure that is right.” Check that you have the appropriate price for event speakers (travel time, and/or stay), food (along with food waivers), giveaways, decorations, etc. Remember the more information the better.
Lastly, plan ahead. Cara Wood encourages you to start early on the process, so you have enough time to ask questions. There are many resources if questions arise. The SABRC Constitution, SABRC executive board, Cara Wood herself and any friends who have gone through the process should be able to answer any questions. Ms. Wood states, “Everything that SABRC does is nearly a semester if not more in advance, We want student organizations to utilize the time that they have in putting together their funding application to think about all the ways they can have a successful event”.
To learn about updates on SABRC, visit them on social media @bradleystudentactivities, or Presence or contact them via email at busabrc@gmail.com.