The following sources of funding are available to Pitzer College students for academic and co-curricular support. Requests for funds should be made to the Dean of Faculty’s Office in Fletcher Hall. Two sources of funding are available to Pitzer College students:
(a) Research Grants: Grants are available to assist Pitzer College students with research project costs. The goal of the grant is to encourage independent research by students. Research necessary for the satisfactory completion of coursework will not be funded, with the exception of Independent Study projects, senior theses (whether required or optional), and other senior projects. The maximum amount any student can receive for research in an academic year is $250.00.
There are normally two grant periods announced each year, one in the early fall, one in the early spring. Applications can be obtained from the Dean of Faculty’s Office, and should be turned in there. No reimbursement for expenses incurred can be made until receipts are provided. Applications should be for work during the semester, the academic year, and/or the following summer.
Student Application for Research and Awards Funds (pdf)
(b) Conference Presentation Funds: Travel, registration, room and board costs for students who are presenting papers at professional meetings are eligible for funding. The maximum amount any student can receive for travel to a conference is $700.00. In all cases, students are encouraged to minimize costs wherever possible (e.g. sharing a hotel room with fellow student presentators). Students must furnish documentation confirming that their papers have been accepted for presentation at the conference.
Students will receive responses from the Dean of Faculty's OFfice to their application for travel awards within 10 working days. Students must present receipts to the Dean of Faculty’s Office to be reimbursed.
Student Application for Conference Travel Funding (pdf)
2. Campus Life Committee (Co-curricular):
Campus Life invites proposals that will enhance the student experience through social, cultural, and intellectual activities or events. These could include (1) facilitating faculty-student interactions, (2) enhancing intellectual activities available to the Pitzer campus community, (3) enhancing the first-year curriculum, and (4) student life enrichment.
The Committee allocates the Salathé, Forum, and Printed Word Funds. The Committee also allocates available funds for special events such as lectures, films, conferences and concerts. The Committee annually makes recommendations as to appropriate speakers for the Atherton and Durfee funds, and it exercises oversight of the utilization of strategic planning funds. The latter will be used explicitly to promote and sustain programs and projects that foster the development of a social and intellectual community at the College. Applications for funding through Campus Life should be sent to the Assistant Dean of Faculty.
In summary, the specific funds are as follows:
The Frederick J. Salathé Fund For Music And The Cultural Arts supports the Salathé Gallery & an annual event or series of events related to the Arts, Music, and/or Literature as practiced, exhibited or performed by professionals. Awards are generally in the $4-6,000 range.
The Forum Fund
An interdisciplinary/teaching/research project, during the course of which outside speakers are brought in, a conference held, or some other set of special events arranged to benefit the Pitzer community. No more than $4000 can be used from this fund in a given year
The Printed Word Award for "educational purposes related to the concise, precise and effective use of the English language." In practice, it has been used to support an annual academic forum focused upon issues related to literacy and writing. No more than $3000 can be used from this fund in a given year
The Academic Events fund typically awards $200-$300 for any academic event open to the whole Pitzer community.
Strategic Initiative Funds (SIF). These funds are meant to be "strategic" in that they're not meant to simply augment activities currently funded by the academic or student life budgets, but to provide an opportunity to test out and try new initiatives, or to broker collaborations among different college constituencies (e.g. combined faculty/staff proposals, collaborative proposals by several field groups or several faculty/student organizations). Campus Life is interested in proposals for programming that has the potential to be sustained and have continuing impact. Campus Life will also consider proposals for initiatives that will be funded through other sources, but may have higher startup costs. Campus Life will entertain proposals for both smaller and larger amounts of money.
Campus Life invites SIF proposals that will enhance the student experience through social, cultural, and intellectual activities or events. These could include (1) facilitating faculty-student interactions, (2) enhancing intellectual activities available to the Pitzer campus community, (3) enhancing the first-year curriculum, and (4) student life enrichment.
