UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The University Park Student Fee Board is accepting the first applicants for its Equity Fund — a $400,000 fund designed to address diversity, equity and inclusion projects and initiatives at Penn State.
According to Najee Rodriguez, planning for this fund began last fall. Rodriguez, a fourth-year international politics and history major, is the chair for the Equity Fund Subcommittee on the Student Fee Board.
As vice president for the 2021-2022 assembly of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), Rodriguez was instrumental in creating the proposal, plans and documents associated with the fund. Rodriguez worked alongside UPUA Student Fee Board Appointee Noah Robertson on finalizing the proposal.
With equity being one of the Student Fee Board’s key values, the fund aligns with the board’s mission.
“The concept for the Equity Fund came about because many students expressed that they felt there was a deficit of attention in funding around diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives,” Rodriguez said. “We thought ‘Why can’t a fund like this exist for diversity or equity-related initiatives? Let’s actually put the money where our mouth is and start making it a reality.”
Recipients of the Equity Fund can expect financial support for their project for up to five years. After this point, the project will be reevaluated, and a determination will be made about future funding.
Rodriguez said the term “equity” is defined vaguely in the fund application to accommodate all the forms that diversity, equity and inclusion can take. The funding can go toward any of the following, as long as there is student involvement:
- facility improvements or renovations in equity-related spaces
- programming and operational expenses for new initiatives
- student wages directly involved with equity initiatives and projects
There is also a general “other” category on the application, which allows for a wider range of proposals.
“We want Penn State to be a more equitable University for historically underrepresented communities, but also students who may face impediments in the equity-related realm,” Rodriguez said.
Those interested in applying to the fund must have the backing of a University office. Then, they can complete the Initial Application under Equity Fund Proposals on the Student Fee Board website and submit it online by Dec. 15.
After reviewing all the applications, the Student Fee Board Equity Fund Subcommittee will select four projects to advance to a hearing. The hearing may ask for additional information regarding the purpose of the funding to the project.
The Equity Fund money will be allocated for the next fiscal year, meaning that the selected applicants will receive approval for their funding in July when the Board of Trustees approves tuition and fees.
Rodriguez said he hopes to see a “new understanding and a new advancement” of diversity, equity and inclusion projects and initiatives because of the Equity Fund.