Forms & Document Library
Student Opportunity Fund
07/18/2022 1:04 pm
STUDENT
OPPORTUNITY FUND
The Rockford University Student Opportunity Fund (SOF) provides financial support for curricular or co-curricular activities/projects with an academic component. These projects enhance the student experience and augment the University’s academic program.
DEADLINES
Deadlines for the academic year are the first day of September, October, November, December, February, March, April, and May. Awards are made on a first-come first-serve basis.
STEP 1: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
Am I eligible?
SOF is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students and graduate program students, not recent graduates/alumni*.
Traditional UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS beginning their sophomore year at RU
– Freshmen students can apply for Tier 1 funding only as a part of a faculty/staff led group project.
– Undergraduate students have access to a cumulative total $3000 over their academic lifetime at the university.
TRANSFER STUDENTS beginning their second semester at RU
GRADUATE STUDENTS beginning their second semester at RU
– Graduate students can only apply for Tier 1 or Tier 2 funding
– Graduate students have access to a cumulative total of $1000.
*The only exception to this rule supports conference presentation of student work after graduation if:
– The research was completed as a student, prior to the posting of any degree, and
– The conference occurs within 90 days of degree posting
STEP 2: IDENTIFY AN OPPORTUNITY
RU students can apply for SOF funding for a myriad of projects that cover a host of opportunities such as:
– Research and creative activities
– Conference presentation and attendance
– Off-campus study—international or domestic
– Activity directly connected to a class or academic program
– Hosting an academic event on campus (these kinds of project are considered Tier 4 and have a different application)
Exploring previously funded projects may be a good idea if you are not sure if your project merits funding. Also you can email sof@rockford.edu to inquire about the merit of your project.
STEP 3: SECURE A FACULTY / STAFF SPONSOR
Please note: Students must have a faculty/staff sponsor for your project who can help guide the project. A letter of recommendation from this sponsor is required, which will be submitted during the online application process.
STEP 4: DETERMINE A TIER AND APPLY FOR FUNDING
- Students can apply for individual awards based on tiers (levels) of funding. (See tier options and information below. Use rockford.edu email for application process.)
- If you are eligible, have a project in mind and a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation, you are ready to apply. (Click on a tier below to apply.)
- After application submission, a funding decision will be communicated to you via email. Students must accept the award formally in response to the award letter.
FUNDING LIMITATIONS
• Meal costs for students are not funded
• Stipends are not funded
Faculty and Staff leading group trips should click on the “Faculty Staff” options for information.
STEP 5: SUBMIT FINAL REPORTS
• After the project is complete, complete the final report form online. You will be asked to upload photographs from your project.
FINAL REPORT FORM
• Submit your reimbursement request to SOF@rockford.edu. A filled expense report form and receipts of all expenses are required for reimbursement.
EXPENSE REPORT FORM
STUDENTS
TIER 1 - Individual Award
Description: Applications for this tier can include research/creative activity, conference presentation/attendance, on- or off-campus curricular or co-curricular activities including class programming that have limited costs and are local in scope.
Maximum Individual Award: $250.00
— Involving local activities/events
— Undergraduate students can receive multiple times subject to cap
Who can apply?
— traditional undergraduate students beginning the sophomore year at RU (freshmen students can apply for Tier I funding only as a part of a faculty/staff led group project),
— transfer students beginning their second semester at RU, and
— graduate students beginning their second semester at RU for conference participation or presentation at a conference related to their academic field.
Application Requirements
— Have a minimum of 2.0 GPA
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation
— Use rockford.edu email for application process.
TIER 1 APPLICATION
TIER 2 - Individual Award
Description: Students can apply for any costs related to research and creative activities, conference presentation/attendance, off-campus curricular or co-curricular activities including class programming that are regional in scope or short-term study abroad opportunities.
Maximum Individual Award: $1,000.00
— Involving academic activities including off-campus travel/conference
— Undergraduate students can receive multiple times subject to cap
— Graduate students can only receive once
Who can apply?
— traditional undergraduate students beginning the sophomore year at RU,
— transfer students beginning their second semester at RU, and
— graduate students beginning their second semester at RU for presentation at a conference related to their academic field.
Application Requirements
— Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation
— Use rockford.edu email for application process.
TIER 2 APPLICATION
TIER 3 - Individual Award
Description: Rockford University offers whole semester experiences such as the Washington semester or semester study abroad in Spain, England, Sweden and Japan (https://www.rockford.edu/academics/studyabroad/).
— Students interested in spending a semester abroad should contact the Office of Global Affairs for the application procedures. If selected, students can apply for SOF funds to assist with the expenses of the study abroad semester.
Maximum Individual Award: $3,000.00 for away semester (study abroad, etc.)
— Can only be received once
Who can apply?
— Undergraduate students that are second semester sophomores, juniors, or seniors at RU
Application Requirements
— Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation
— Have a letter of support from the Office of Global Affairs
— Use @rockford.edu email for application process.
TIER 3 APPLICATION
TIER 4 - Hosting Academic Events on Campus
Description: This application is specially for hosting an academic event on campus.
In the past students have hosted events like the Psi-Chi Tri State Psychology Conference, Math Club Lecture Series etc. These events enrich Rockford University’s academic experience and also increases Rockford University’s visibility within the local community and beyond.
Please Note:
— Budget questions are included in the form and you will be asked to upload supporting documents for your budget line items.
— Funds requested through this tier do not count toward a student’s individual quota.
Who can apply?
— Undergraduate students at RU
Application Requirements
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation (needed for application submission)
— Use rockford.edu email for application process.
TIER 4 APPLICATION
FACULTY / STAFF
Faculty Recommendation and Roles
Faculty and Staff play two roles with respect to SOF awards:
1. Faculty and Staff can serve as mentors for students that undertake individual projects, not only by guiding them in their projects but also with their SOF application process. All student applications require faculty/staff recommendation. Faculty/Staff mentors will be contacted by the student for a recommendation letter.
2. Faculty and Staff can also lead students on group activities, either related to courses or experiential learning. Faculty/Staff and participating students may apply for SOF funding for such activities. Student awards for such activities count toward their individual award limits. Faculty/Staff receive full funding for such activities.
Domestic and International off-campus trips are examples of such trips. These trips are planned and led by faculty/staff. A comprehensive planning guide for such trips in under development. Until this planning guide and proper policies are in place, faculty/staff can access the Guidance for Off-Campus Trips and Example Trip Proposal Spain-Greece 2020 documents for guidance.
• Guidance for Off-Campus Trips
• Example Trip Proposal Spain-Greece 2020
Any questions regarding SOF funding can be directed to sof@rockford.edu. Questions related to trip planning should be directed to the department Chair, Dean and Provost. For short-term study abroad trips, the Office of Global Affairs can be an valuable resource.
Faculty/Staff Application
Faculty and Staff application for leading group activities.
Use rockford.edu email for application process.
TIER 4 - Hosting Academic Events on Campus
Description: This application is specially for hosting an academic event on campus.
In the past students have hosted events like the Psi-Chi Tri State Psychology Conference, Math Club Lecture Series etc. These events enrich Rockford University’s academic experience and also increases Rockford University’s visibility within the local community and beyond.
Please Note:
— Budget questions are included in the form and you will be asked to upload supporting documents for your budget line items.
— Funds requested through this tier do not count toward a student’s individual quota.
Who can apply?
— Undergraduate students at RU
Application Requirements
— Have a faculty/staff sponsor letter of recommendation (needed for application submission)
— Use rockford.edu email for application process.
TIER 4 APPLICATION
TIER 5 - New Initiatives
Description: This tier provides financial support for large ticket items (exceeding $5,000.00) that support new and creative initiatives/projects that enrich such experiences both on- and off-campus. It may offer seed money for higher-cost projects to start operating with one-time funding through SOF. This tier may also be used for purchases on campus that offer ongoing support for activities that enrich students’ academic and co-curricular experiences.
— Budget questions are included in the form.
— Upload supporting documents for your budget line items. (required)
Who can apply?
— Faculty or staff member at RU
Application Requirements:
— Applicant will submit a detailed proposal that clearly describes the activity and its expenditures as well as demonstrates how the program will fulfill RU’s mission and align with its Strategic Plan. The proscribed form will be used for proposal submission and the plan must meet all other criteria for SOF funding.
— Applications for this Tier must be initiated by a faculty or staff member.
— The applications will be submitted to the Executive Council for approval after review by the SOF committee. This ensures support for future funding if the initiative will continue and become part of future university annual budgets.
— Click here for Tier V Rationale.
— Use rockford.edu email for application process.
TIER 5 APPLICATION
Council of Global Affairs
02/14/2018 6:59 pm
Message to Rockford University Students from the Faculty
The faculty of Rockford University is committed to the teaching mission of the institution and thus to all our students. The faculty values and appreciates the diversity of religion, ethnicity, national origin, race, disability, and gender in our student body. The rich diversity present in our campus community enriches the educational environment by deepening our understanding of the world and better equipping all students to be global citizens. We, the members of the Rockford University faculty, wish each of you to know that you have our support in your efforts to grow, learn, and fulfill your dreams. We are glad you have chosen to study at Rockford University, and we value your contributions to the whole RU community. We are your teachers and we are here to help and support you.
Council of Global Affairs
The Council on Global Affairs is a group of faculty and staff who have volunteered to meet regularly to discuss issues and activities of global significance on campus. Current members include Sam Bandy, John Burns, Maria Diemer, Mehmet Dik, Catherine Forslund, William Gahan, Julie Griffith, Ron Lee, Marilen Loyola, Andy Newgren, Matt Phillips, Stephanie Quinn, Luis Romero, Deepshikha Shukla, Jean Swindle, and Gidget Tay.
Global Faculty Fellow
Program Chair and Associate Professor of Physics, Deepshikha Shukla, Ph. D. is the current Global Faculty Fellow at Rockford University. With her experience in the education systems of India and the US, she is passionate about creating a culture where domestic and international students, faculty and staff symbiotically co-habitate. Assimilation of international students at RU and promoting international experience for the entire campus lies at the core of her initiatives. Internationalization is her ‘mantra’.”
Flags Displayed on Campus
Currently we are displaying the flags of Sweden and Ukraine.
Cross-cultural Classes
Cross-cultural classes are designed for international English as a Second Language students (ESL) and undergraduate/graduate native English-speaking students studying at RU. The aim of these classes is to help the ESL students to be confident and improve their level of fluency in English in addition to helping native English-speakers gain valuable information about other cultures and people. The international and RU students bring their own ideas and thoughts shaped by their cultures. The classes are an exchange where both ESL and RU students discover and get to know each other. This class provides an excellent atmosphere of mutual sharing and cross-culture communication. Students build new relationships and acquire a sense of achievement.
Symbiotic dialogue between the cross-cultural interaction class (PSYC 280) and ESL students.
Global Connections Newsletter
https://www.rockford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Global-Connections-Volume-1-Issue-1-1.pdf
International Student Survey
The survey was conducted by Isa Askar, on behalf of the Office of Global Affairs. The purpose of the survey was to gain a deeper understanding of the international students of Rockford University.
Global Spotlight Award
This award is given to students who have been excellent members of RU’s international community.
Congratulations to our Global Spotlight Student of the Month!
Nominate a student to be our Global Spotlight Student of the Month!
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