Department of Student Engagement

Community Emergency and Enhancement Fund

The Community Emergency and Enhancement Fund provides financial support for projects and/or activities by a student or group of students that fall into one of two categories. First, CEEF provides funding for longer term student-led initiatives that enhance the Brandeis community. Secondly, CEEF provides short-term emergency funding for student life on campus. These initiatives must have a campus-wide benefit and measurable impact on the campus and community. 

CEEF Board

CEEF is overseen by the CEEF Subcommittee of the Allocations Board. This Subcommittee consists of 5 elected members of the Allocations Board. One of the Co-Chairs shall concurrently serve as the Chair of the CEEF Subcommittee.

Eligibility

All applications for funding from CEEF must be put forward by Brandeis University undergraduates currently enrolled as full-time or part-time students at the university. No chartered or secured club or organization, or Student Union special projects receiving funding from the Student Union, may submit an application for funding on its behalf. All projects will require Brandeis Administration (staff/faculty) to attest to the technical viability of the project.

Procedure

The CEEF Subcommittee makes decisions on funding in the Fall semester. Below are the general guidelines for how submitting a proposal works:

  1. At the start of the Fall Semester, the Allocations Board will publish a timeline of the CEEF application process.
  2. After the deadline for submission has passed, the CEEF Subcommittee will schedule a time with each student or group of students who have submitted a proposal to present their initiative to the Subcommittee.
  3. The CEEF Subcommittee, after deliberating on all project proposals, will vote to either approve, partially approve, or deny funding for each project.
  4. After funding has been approved, the Subcommittee and University Administration will communicate with the applicants on the logistics of rolling out this initiative.

Evaluation

The CEEF Subcommittee will review all applications on the following criteria, keeping in mind that funding is limited.

1. Impact - all projects should be evaluated with regards to their short and long term impacts upon the following areas:
  • Immediate Operational Impact - how will the project affect student life once completed?
  • Long Term Durability - how likely is it that this project will endure and affect life on campus over the long term?
  • Community Impact – impact upon the larger Brandeis community, including students, faculty, staff and any potential impacts on the larger Waltham area.
2. Financial Viability - all projects should be evaluated both short and long-term on their financial viability including:
  • Cost-benefit analysis – effective use of funds
  • Potential financial risk
  • Cost assumptions

3. Technical Viability – all projects should be evaluated both long and short-term on their technical viability including:

  • Feasibility of implementation on campus
  • Any increased demand for resources that will continue after the CEEF funding has been exhausted

Emergency Funding Proposals:

CEEF proposals that are considered  Emergency Funding shall additionally be judged on its necessity. All applications should demonstrate an immediate need of short-term funding. Emergency funding will only be granted for projects that address current needs on campus. Emergency funding is not for new projects or initiatives.

Submission Instructions:

To submit your application, please email aboard@brandeis.edu with the subject line “CEEF Application”

Past Projects