Planning an Event
Reserve the Space
The space you will need for a successful event should always be reserved before you begin the process of planning an event. Room availability and requests can be submitted at EMS.usfca.edu. Once your request has been confirmed, you will receive an e-mail confirmation, which will also note who your Event Manager is for that event.
Contact Your Event Manager to Discuss Your Event
Every event is assigned to an Event Manager in Events Management & Guest Services (EM&GS). If you are planning to serve food/beverage, contact your Event Manager to discuss menu options. Your Event Manager will work with Bon Appetit to ensure you are within your budget, and receive the 25% discount applied on catering orders. Likewise, your Event Manager will assist with any other logistical needs surrounding your event, such as room setup, Audio/Visual equipment, parking, ecostations, room cleaning, etc. If your event is scheduled in a location with no trash bins (e.g., Gleeson Plaza), your Event Manager will order the necessary number of ecostations at $50/ecostation, at a cost to your budget.
Decide on the Method(s) of Funding
FOAP: If your student organization has been approved for funding via the ASUSF Finance Committee or has available funds in a USF student organization financial account, EM&GS will work with Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE) to transfer funds to cover your expenses within the established budget.
Flexi Donations: Students with a flexi meal plan are allowed to donate flexi meal plan money towards the catering cost of an on-campus student organization event. To raise flexi donations, you can request a Flexi Donation form from EM&GS. On the form, EM&GS will put an end date (to not exceed three weeks) for you to raise the funds. The form must be submitted back to EM&GS no later than 7 business days prior to the event, and by the end date on the form. For example, if you have an event in May, you can begin fundraising in September-so long as your forms are turned in within the end date on the form (i.e., 3 weeks from start of fundraising). All flexi donations are non-refundable, must be used by the end of the academic year, and require a minimum $10 donation. The maximum donation is determined by a formula; you can only donate if your flexi balance is equal to or exceeds $100 x the remaining weeks in the academic year. If funds raised do not match established budget, EM&GS will adjust your catering order to match the funds raised. Illegible donations will not be counted.
Cash/Credit/Check: In some cases, student organizations need to pay via cash/credit/check. If this is the case, please speak with your Event Manager, who will process this form of payment.