PURPOSE
The Student Initiative Fund (SIF) has been established by students in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Its purpose is to provide support for undergraduate student activities, initiatives, events, or in support of services that benefit students in the Faculty. Applications to this Fund should detail the nature of the initiative, event or activity, the specific proposed uses of the requested support, and an explanation of how students will benefit from the initiative. Applicants should use the associated application form to request support. All disbursement decisions will be made by the Committee described below, and no funds shall be disbursed without the Committee's knowledge and permission. The SIF is a restricted operating fund - all proposals and expenditures supported through this Fund must comply with the University of Manitoba's governing financial policies and procedures.

FUNCTION
The Committee will put out a call for proposals thrice yearly (in September, November and February), although applications for support will be accepted at any time, and indeed the intent is to publicize the existence of the Fund frequently. The Committee will meet in a timely manner to:

1. Review and approve proposals/requests for funding
2. Review and make recommendations about the expense allocation;

CATEGORIES
The use of allocated funds must support initiatives in one or more of the following categories, of which the list below is NOT in order of priority. Funds may be allocated to all or any categories at the discretion of the Committee in any given year. Allocations made in any given year apply only to the year in which they are made; i.e., there is no automatic renewal of allocations once made.

• Educational equipment
• Renovations
• Student professional development
• Maintenance of spaces used exclusively or almost exclusively by students (e.g., FASO offices, student lounge)
• Other worthy initiatives.

Proposal for initiatives that fall outside of the above-mentioned categories may be granted pending approval by the Committee.

ELIGIBILITY
The SIF is funded by undergraduate students in the degree and diploma programs. In order to apply for funding, applicants must be a current student enrolled in a diploma or undergraduate degree program.

Faculty employees may apply to the SIF, strictly for student related matters with the support of an undergraduate student.

Undergraduate student clubs/organizations who have members within the Faculty may also apply to the SIF.

MEMBERSHIP
Composition:

• Senior Stick, FASO (will normally serve as Committee Chair)
• Diploma Stick, FASO
• Senior Treasurer, FASO
• Junior Treasurer, FASO - non-voting
• Director of Communications, FASO
• Faculty Advisor to FASO
• Dean of Agricultural and Food Sciences (or designate)

OTHER
In order to create awareness and ensure the student body is aware of how their charitable contributions are being utilized:

• The Office of the Dean will provide an online annual report of the SIF disbursements.
• The Office of the Dean will provide quarterly statements to FASO on the SIF fund.
• FASO will report the results of the SIF disbursements to their student body via all reasonable means (online, at orientation, etc.)
• Any funds awarded will only be available until the end of the budget year. Any unused funds will be returned to the SIF.
• No new disbursements from the fund may be made without approval from the membership committee, except in cases where urgent care (pertaining to safety issues and/or willful damage) for student-related spaces (e.g., FASO office, student lounge) is required, in which case reasonable disbursements may be made with the Dean's approval, provided immediate notice is given to the Committee.

Projects deemed to be complimentary or enhancements of existing academic programs should be vetted through the Department Head or Associate Dean Academic before being submitted to the SIF Review Committee.