Navigating the Blue Tape

1. Navigating the Blue Tape Student Org Mandatory Training Fall 2012

2. introductions • Office of the Dean of Students • Student Activities • JJ Boggs, Associate Dean of Students for Student Activities and Orientation • Special Interest, Political & Activist Orgs • David Kloepfer, Program and Events Manager • MCAB, A Capella Groups, Visual & Performing Arts Organizations • Derek Doucet, Director of Outdoor Programs and Club Sports • Club Sports, Recreation Organizations • Sophie Esser-Calvi,Food & Farm Educator • Organic Farm, Food Organizations • Jessie Jerry, Office and Budget Manager • Debate Organizations • Barbara Ofosu-Somuah, Programs Intern • Residential Life • Doug Adams, Associate Dean of Students for Residential Life and Student Life Policy • Media Organizations, Social Houses, Inter-Commons Council • Karin Hall-Kolts, Residential Systems Coordinator • Superblocks

3. introductions • Cluster Managers • Ashley Calkins, Community Engagement Coordinator, EIA • Service Cluster Board • Lyn DeGraff, Senior Graphic Designer, Reprographics • Publications • Jennifer Herrera, Special Assistant to the Dean of the College/Senior Advisor for Diversity Initiatives, Dean of the College • Cultural Organizations • Laurie Jordan, Chaplain, Ellen McKay, Administrative Program Coordinator,Chaplain’s Office • Religious and Spiritual Life Organizations • Sarah McGowan,Special Assistant to Academic Affairs, Academic Affairs • Academic Organizations • TBD, Social Events Coordinator, Dean of the Students • Gamut Room, Bunker, Senior Committee, Feb Committee

4. agenda • Registration Process • Funding • Fundraising • Resources • Policies • Other Helpful Information

5. REGISTRATION: MIDDLINK • Your primary contact and student org email account have received an email from Student Activities with instructions on how to register in MiddLink • You must complete the registration process by October 1st • Include an up-to-date roster for your org • List all leaders including the president, treasurer, and advisor • Provide an inventory list of your supplies • Equipment and supply purchases must be inventoried and have storage space secured; the Finance Committee may review your inventory if your organization is audited • If you have not received an email, simply log into MiddLink go/middlink, find your organization, and click the “Register” button

6. FUNDING: SGA FINANCE COMMITTEE • SGA Finance Committee is responsible for management of the Student Activities Fee • Peter Mattson – SGA Finance Committee Chair • sgafc@middlebury.edu • For Finance Committee guidelines, go/sgafc • The committee meets weeklyin the Crest Room in McCullough, check go/sgafc or email sgafc@middlebury.edu for the schedule

7. FUNDING: ALLOCATION • Each recognized student organization is eligible to receive a portion of the annual Student Activities Fee (SAF) • You all have an operating account - this is where your allocation is deposited and where most of your expenses will be charged • Your account has been assigned an index code (SOXXXX) • Check your folder for a list of your index code(s) and for a copy of your organization’s allocation for the year • If you do not see your allocation in your folder, then it is very likely that your org did not submit a budget proposal to the FC last spring • If your org was allocated funding, you will receive half of the funds in September and the other half in January • Delayed registration in MiddLink could affect your allocation. • Unused funds are returned to the SGA reserve at the end of the fiscal year

8. FUNDING: BUDGETING • Typically, budgeting occurs in the spring or upon approval as a new organization • If your org didn't request a budget in the spring, schedule a meeting now with the Finance Committee at go/sgafc • Proposed budgets should consist of planned events and purchases • Be prepared to provide the Finance Committee with details • The SGA Finance Committee allocates an overall budget • Allocated funds can be spent at the organization’s discretion • Organizations can change their plans but must always adhere to the Finance Committee guidelines and the mission of their organization • Groups can always request additional money but should spend what they have first and demonstrate a reasonable need • Each student org is granted $200 discretionary funding • These discretionary funds are specifically allocated for advertising, supplies, and general operating expenses • Purchases must adhere to the SGAFC guidelines and the mission of the organization

9. FUNDING: NEW MONEY • Groups interested in requesting new funds will be required to attend a Finance Committee meetingto discuss the request • To schedule a meeting, visit go/sgafc, click “Book a Meeting,” and follow the instructions • New money requests should be made well in advance; orgs should plan to present a well organized and thorough proposal • If a new allocation is granted, it is understood that it may only be spent on the item or activity for which it was granted – new money is not discretionary • If approved, these funds will be added to your operating account

10. FUNDING: FAQ, RESTRICTIONS & SPECIAL CASES • No handouts, giveaways, prizes, clothing items, etc. • If it benefits an individual, it can’t be purchased with SGA funds. If it benefits the whole group and/or is inventoried, it can be purchased with SGA funds. • No alcohol, tobacco, firearms/ammunition, or animals • Commons Councils will not fund student organizations. • Do not go to the Commons Councils to ask for money! • Organizations cannot use Student Activity Fee funds to pay coaches or advisors • Organizations cannot use Student Activity Fee funds to pay student wages (student DJs and bands are exceptions) • Typically, alumni, relatives, or other members of the College community cannot be paid to speak/perform unless it is their sole profession; it is required that clubs notify the Finance Committee in advance if funds will go to relatives of or members of the Middlebury College community • Purchases can be made during the summer in preparation for the upcoming school year but need approval (talk to Student Activities) • Appeals to Finance Committee decisions can be filed through the SGA Appeals Committee

11. FUNDING: ACCESSING FUNDS • When in doubt, check with the guidelines; be sure your items can be covered by the Student Activities Fee • The budget is yours; spend it the way the members of your organization think would be most valuable • Treasurers • Must approve and track all purchases • Must sign all purchase vouchers submitted by members of your organization • Receipts • Must be submitted for ALL purchases (including reimbursements and charges) or your budget could be frozen • Must be submitted within two weeks of the purchase

12. FUNDING: FINANCIAL LIABILITY • Treasurers take on responsibility and liability for student organization funds • All Treasurers must sign a Treasurer Agreement • Treasurers are responsible for knowing the guidelines and are liable for purchases that do not fall within the guidelines • Monitor your budget and share the index selectively • The Finance Committee will audit 10 randomly selected groups every 2 months and all groups at the end of the year • Violations will result in group or individual consequences depending on the infraction

13. FUNDING: SPENDING MONEY • We recommend that you create a shadow budget to track every expense that is made • Keep in mind that somecharges can take months to actually hit your budget -track your purchases

14. FUNDING: SPENDING MONEY • There are several ways to spend funds: • Out-of-pocket – Submit a receipt for reimbursement • Local charges – Many local vendors and departments on campus will accept your index (but not Hannafords) • SA credit card – For phone and online purchases • Invoice or bill – To pay with a check or credit card • Transfer money between campus accounts – If you receiveco-sponsorship, let Student Activities know • Contracts – Any time you need to pay a person for a service, be sure to contact Student Activities at least 2 weeks in advance • Receipts are critical!!! • Make sure you turn them in to Student Activities in a timely manner! • Fill out the SA voucher go/savoucher, attach to the receipt, and get your treasurer’s signature for all purchases

15. FUNDING: SPENDING MONEY • go/savoucher • Complete the online form • Print the form • Click the “Submit Form” button on the upper right • Write your name, ID & index on the receipt/invoice • Attach receipt or invoice to the completed voucher • Get the treasurer’s signature • Submit to Student Activities • It’s important to submit both a hard copy and digital copy • We need the hard copy for accounting purposes and the digital copy for the database

16. FUNDING: BUDGET REPORTS • To receive a summary of your budget to date for this fiscal year • go/budget?so • Includes all income and expenses • A report in pdf format will be sent immediately to your student org email account • Please remember that these reports do not include a starting balance; this can be confusing when it comes to gift accounts • See your folder for your gift account balance • We are working on getting the starting balances to show on the reports – stay tuned! • Remember that charges may not appear on your budget for quite awhile • This is why it's good to use a shadow budget to keep track of your expenses!

17. FUNDING: LOANS • The SGA Finance Committee will on occasion offer loans to organizations • It is necessary for the Treasurer to co-sign the loan on behalf of the student organization, as well as an additional member of the organization • Contact the SGA Finance Committee for more information • Outstanding debt affectsan organization’s ability to receive a loan

18. FUNDING: MCAB SPEAKERS COMMITTEE • Apply for MCAB Speaker’s Committee funds to bring a speaker to campus • You cannot use your student organization budget to host a speaker on campus • MCAB has significant funding available for this purpose • If you’d like to apply for speaker funding, you must attend a Host a Speaker training; training dates and times will be posted shortly • Check out go/mcabspeakfor more information

19. FUNDRAISING: POLICY • Any student group sponsoring a fundraising activity must obtain a permit from Student Activities • Student groups are not allowed to solicit donations or gifts from local merchants, alumni, and parents • Groups must receive permission from Dining Services to sell food on campus; typically only pre-packaged food will be approved

20. FUNDRAISING: EXCESS EVENT FUNDS • When student organizations charge a set amount (eg: ticketed event, $1/item, etc) the organization can keep any money raised afterthe costs have been covered • These excess funds may be used at the organization's discretion (within Finance Committee guidelines) or deposited into the organization’s gift account • If the price is suggested, the organization deposits all revenue and does not have to pay back the costs • NOTE: price has to really be suggested, no guilt tripping or denying entry even if the customer doesn’t pay • Allocated funds cannot be used for donations to charitable organizations or the purchase of gifts • However, excess event funds can be used for this purpose • Proceeds from initiatives may not be used as direct or indirect contributions to political campaigns

21. FUNDRAISING: GIFT ACCOUNTS • Student organizations cannot have off-campus accounts • Gift accounts are for donations, dues, or excess event funds from fundraising efforts • Some student organizations already have separate gift/fundraising accounts • When you have cash or checks to deposit into a gift account, stop by Student Activities; we can also accept credit card payments • Each organization uses the funds in their gift accounts differently; please work with your leadership and advisor to determine how best to use this money • The balances in these accounts rollover from year to year (see the Banner report in your folder for current gift account balances)

22. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES: PRINTING • PaperCut • Your org is eligible to print using your student org username through PaperCut; printing expenses are deducted from your account monthly, so be sure to monitor printing! • Reprographics • Offers a variety of printing services on campus • Located in FIC • For general photocopying, allow for 3 days • For design work, allow for 1 week • Return white copy of the order form with your account information to Student Activities • Publications • Work with Lyn DeGraff in Reprographics at the beginning of each semester (early Oct. & Jan./Feb.) to avoid issues with Reprographics’ schedule • All publications must be ready-to-distribute by April 1 at the latest • Publications with a distribution date after April 1 will be denied assistance

23. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES: MIDDLINK • The benefits: • Share group photos and documents (budgets, inventories, constitutions, etc.) • Advertise events on the community bulletin board • Assign tasks to specific members of your organization • Hold elections • Create events and invite people • Advertise to all first years – all have a MiddLink account • Send messages to the most current members of your group • It is important to check the prospective students tab under “manage roster” because we will be advising students to sign up for your group through MiddLink • A user guide on the Student Activities website shows you how to liven up your page and how to use all of the unique features; check out go/studentactivities

24. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES: BLOGS • Student Activities recommends creating a blog for those organizations who want a web presence • go/blogs • No permissions needed • The other alternative is to use your MiddLink page • Wall, News, Events, Photos!

25. TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES: EMAIL ACCOUNTS • Every student organization has been assigned an email account (ex. studentorg@middlebury.edu) • It is your responsibility to get the email password from last year’s leadership team or from LIS • LIS will only give the password to those listed in leadership positions in MiddLink • Check this email regularly - Student Activities will communicate with you through this email and through MiddLink; it is also the contact information we give to prospective members and collaborators • To change your password: • Log into WebMail • Click on Options (in the upper right) and then click on Change Password

26. CAMPUS RESOURCES: TRANSPORTATION • College cars, 7-passenger vans, and 15-passenger vans are available for student org use; reserve vans well in advance as they are in short supply • Requests submitted less than 7 days in advance will be denied, no exceptions • The cost is $15.00/day and $.40/mile • Check out the online reservation form at go/vans • Be sure to check off the appropriate College affiliation • You must complete a Trip Departure Form when you pick up the keys at the Vehicle Reservation Office • For after hours pick-up and drop-off, please note that the entrance to the Heating Plant is the set of doors closest to the windows of the Biomass facility

27. CAMPUS RESOURCES: TRANSPORTATION • Student organizations wishing to travel 300 miles or more from campus are required to submit a travel plan to Student Activities (SA) for vetting. While every effort will be made to work with student orgs to devise an acceptable plan, SA reserves the right to deny approval for any such travel should it be deemed necessary to do so for risk management or other reasons. • Plans must be submitted to SA a minimum of 1 month prior to the departure date. Plans submitted less than 1 month prior to the departure date will not be approved. • Groups may drive a maximum of 300 miles, or not more than 6 hours total driving time, per travel day. Hotel or camping receipts, or other documentation of an overnight stop, may be checked upon return to campus. • Groups must have a minimum of 1 College-licensed driver for every 150 miles, or 3 hours of anticipated travel, and switch drivers when these limits are reached. • “Caravanning” (traveling in convoy) is not permitted. When multiple vehicles are involved, departure times should be staggered to avoid such travel. • Drivers may not use cell phones when driving.

28. CAMPUS RESOURCES: DEFENSIVE DRIVING TRAINING • Required to drive a College vehicle. There is no cost for the class, but a valid state license is required. Class time is about two hours. • Individuals wanting a 15-passenger van license must have 3 years of driving experience and go through a one-hour driving orientation (on the road) • Check out go/trainings for training dates • Email Ed Sullivan at sullivan@middlebury.edu if you have any questions September Sept 12  9:00am - 11:00am   Sept 24  4:00pm - 6:00pm    October 9  9:00 - 11:00am - 5:00PM April9th    9:00am - 11:00am November 7th    9:00am - 11:00am May9th     9:00am - 11:00am December12th  9:00am - 11:00am June TBD January9th       9:00am - 11:00am JulyTBD February12th    12:00 pm - 2:00pm August TBD March4th  6:00pm - 8:00pm

29. CAMPUS RESOURCES: YOUR ADVISOR • In a recent survey of Middlebury College advisors: • 23% (almost 1 in 4) said they were unclear of their organization’s expectations of them • 17% (about 1 in 6) said they would like to be more active with the organizations they advise • Find the right advisor for your organization, establish clear expectations (perhaps even a written contract), and establish clear lines of communication • Take the time to appreciate your advisor’s hard work and contributions • You should inform your advisor of what you are doing and invite him/her to events you organize, if appropriate

30. CAMPUS RESOURCES: CATERING • Options: • Off campus caterers • Store-bought items • Take-out from off campus • Grille catering or take-out • Must contact an outside caterer 21 days in advance • Some events can be accommodated in Atwater, McCullough, Proctor, and Ross • go/catering

31. CAMPUS RESOURCES: E-NEWSLETTER • Sent to families and alums • The Alumni Office will assist with sending one e-newsletter per org, per year to alums and family members • Glenna Emilo at emilo@middlebury.edu is your contact in the Alumni Office • The newsletters must be fully edited and ready to send upon being received by the Alumni Office • This is NOT a resource for you to fundraise or solicit donations; it is intended for you to circulate information about your organization among the wider Middlebury community

32. CAMPUS RESOURCES: MCCULLOUGH • Photocopies can be made in Student Activities for $.06/page • Art Space • Located in the Upper Crest Room • Contains supplies to make posters, projects, and to decorate • Available for activities • Email student_activities@middlebury.edu to schedule time to use this space outside of its normal open hours

33. CAMPUS RESOURCES: FILM SCREENINGS • Recommend starting this process 1 month in advance • Contact Sue Driscoll at sdriscol@middlebury.edu to inquire about availability & cost • Check your budget for funds • Submit a space request to Tammy Grant at tgrant@middlebury.edu • Email Jessie at jjerry@middlebury.edu with the following information: • Name Email Phone • Organization Index Film Title • Screening Date Start Date Location • Special Instructions • Contact the Help Desk for tech assistance (if needed) • Pick up your film at the Circulation Desk in the library the day of your event; return the film promptly to the same location

34. CAMPUS RESOURCES: SCHEDULING • Scheduling events may involve communication with both Student Activities and Event Management • Requests should be submitted using the online form found at go/scheduling • Tammy Grant will help you with all scheduling (x3147) • go/25live • Tells you about spaces on campus (availability, capacity, and accommodations) • Important note: If you are planning an event that requires any type of support from Facilities or the use of equipment, your request MUST be submitted at least 7 days prior to your event.  Adjustments cannot be made after the 7-day window has closed.  • Crowd Manager • Required for activity involving more than 50 attendees or participants • Training is done with Ed Sullivan (x5736) • go/trainings

35. POLICIES: HAZING • Hazing is defined as any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, participating in, or maintaining membership in any organization or team affiliated with Middlebury College; and which is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, intimidating or demeaning the student or endangering the mental or physical health of the student. Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in the above acts.  • The College will use a “reasonable person” standard when evaluating such conduct and its potential effects • Hazing occurring on or off the Middlebury College campus may lead to disciplinary proceedings against individuals • Hazing may also lead to the probation, suspension, or termination of a student organization • Check out go/hazing for more info

36. POLICIES: COLLEGE TRADEMARK • You need to obtain permission to use the College's name and images for promotional purposes; please contact Student Activities whenever you plan to use a trademark (including Middlebury College, Middlebury, or the panther) • The Assistant Treasurer and Director of Business Services Office (at x5504) is responsible for monitoring the use of these trademarks and protecting the College's registrations; Student Activities will work closely with this office when approving the use of trademarks

37. POLICIES: NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY • Middlebury College prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, place of birth, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, service in the armed forces of the United States, positive HIV-related blood test results, genetic information, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability and/or any other status or characteristic as defined and to the extent protected by applicable law. • Membership, tryouts, and participation must be open to all individuals • Events and activities cannot exclude any student

38. POLICIES: CONSTITUTIONS • Constitutions must be updated every 3 years • If your organization’s constitution is due for review, you will be contacted by the SGA Constitution Committee • Dan Tenner is this year’s Constitution Committee Chair; he can be reached at sgacc@middlebury.edu • An organization’s most recently approved constitution must be uploaded to MiddLink

39. POLICIES: POSTING FLYERS • Post only in designated areas • Do not post on painted and glass surfaces without permission from the person in charge of the space or you could face a fee for removal/repair • Remove your posters after the event/activity

40. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT • Student Activities Open Office Hours • Tues. & Thurs. 4-6pm • Email student_activities@middlebury.edu or call 443-3103 with any questions • Upcoming trainings: watch your student org email account for more information • The Student Organization Resource Page on the Student Activities website has more detailed information about your student organization's rights, responsibilities, resources, and policies • go/leadermanual