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Exceptional Merit Grants Program for Faculty and Staff
Grant Application Cover Sheet
Contact Information for the Primary Person submitting the Proposal:
Name and Title: Tara Braun, International Exchange Manager
Department:
Office of International Education
Address:
1301 South State Street, IRC 134
City/State/ZIP:
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone Number: 231-591-2515
Email:
braunt1@ferris.edu
Project Name:
Festival of Nations
Purpose of the
Grant
To feature a three week event, Festival of Nations, with the community and campus featuring international topics.
Amount Requested: 3000
Total Project Cost:
5000
Dates of the Project: October 24, 2013 to November 8, 2013 Planning for the project will begin in April 2013.
Project Completion Date:
November 8, 2013
Approval and signatures: The Foundation Office will forward your application to the names you enter below. It will be your
responsibility to follow up to ensure the proper signatures are obtained and the completed cover sheet is returned to the
Foundation Office.
Faculty -- Dean and Department Head Support. The project proposal in the attached document is consistent with
the needs and direction of the department and college.
Enter the name of your Dean and Department Head/Chair below.
Dean: Donald Green
Signature, Dean
Department Head/Chair: Piram Prakasam
Signature, Department Head/Chair
STAFF - Vice President and Supervisor support: The project proposal in the attached document is
consistent with the needs and direction of the department and unit.
Enter the name of your Vice President and Supervisor below.
Vice President: Donald Green
Signature, Vice President
Supervisor: Piram Prakasam
Signature, Supervisor
Narrative: When completing the narrative portion, please contain discussion to the allowable space on the page.
A statement of how the project demonstrates exceptional merit in advancing the mission of Ferris State University.
Include how the project compliments and enhances other efforts on campus and how the project compliments and enhances
other efforts on campus and how the project will continue in the future.
According to Ferris’ Core Values, we are an institution of Collaboration, Diversity, Ethical Community, Excellence, Learning, and
Opportunity. With these cores values, various departments on campus attempt to incorporate these values into the classroom,
programming, and events. With the growing diversity on campus also comes a growing diversity in the community. To benefit the
Ferris community and local community it is important that we celebrate, collaborate, and focus on this growing diversity. This
focus will not only benefit our students, faculty and staff, but also our community in which Ferris resides. It is important that we
showcase our growing diversity to educate and determine how to appreciate the differences of others.
With this project of Festival of Nations (intended to be similar to the current Festival of the Arts), we can feature and focus the
diversity not only at Ferris, but in the community as well. Ferris State University and the Big Rapids community have always worked
close together and this project would further enhance the diversity and opportunity in the community. The desire of this project
would be to feature a collaboration of events/topics/learning opportunities in its first year.
I believe there is a need for this type of focus due to my own experiences on campus, in the community, and in the classroom –
both as a student and an instructor. I have recognized in the classroom (through my FSUS courses) that students are not really
educated as to what the word diversity means and are not confident as to what measures Ferris takes to demonstrate diversity to
them. I have recognized in the community the need to educate and familiarize them with the growing number of international
students/faculty on campus. I believe there is a strong desire in the community to become more involved with internationals at
Ferris. As a staff member, I also see the desire from fellow coworkers to learn more about the growing international numbers on
campus and how to communicate effectively with them. This focused few weeks of international can be repeated yearly at a low
cost through involvement from the community and departments around campus. I believe with this focus on international for a
time period (and as an ongoing yearly festival) where we are celebrating, educating, and involving the Ferris and local community
we can enhance our relationships and celebrate our cultural differences.
A brief description of the project being proposed and the desired outcomes (maximum 1 page).
This project would actually encompass a variety of aspects that would feature and focus on international perspectives on campus
and in the community and would be planned during the National International Education Week period (this is held yearly in
November). Planning would be headed up by the Office of International Education, but would involve student groups, other
departments on campus, and community organizations. The project would allow not only campus but the community to showcase
its diversity and celebrate the diversity it brings. This will be a collaborative effort of planning between the main office in charge of
scheduling and community. Through the three weeks of Festival of Nations the following events could be planned that this grant
could help support and allow for these entities to offer:
• Work with local schools to incorporate an international event during these three weeks. This could be through an event or play
through the school or working with international students to hold a mini International Festival at their location. (ex: Kids Culture
Day)
• Work with local art facilities to feature international art, international art discussions, run international art medium contests, etc.
(ex: Artworks events and exhibits)
• Work with Ferris State University departments to offer workshops on international and diversity for staff/faculty/students. (ex:
Workshop on Diversity on Campus and Cultural Understanding, Go Beyond Event)
• Work with Hospitality Management or local restaurant to feature an international cooking class or international night at their
location.
• Work with local organization or Williams Auditorium on bringing an international music act to campus or community. (ex: special
events with Stage M or Voca Lyrica)
• Work with the Downtown Business Association and Business Chamber to determine what special events or initiatives for this week
could be planned. (International Theme downtown with use of international flags or other medium)
• Work with World Affairs Council to bring special events to campus during these weeks. (ex: International Quiz Bowl)
• Work with student groups to plan internationally theme events around campus for these three weeks. (student group
involvement)
• Work with faculty on establishing international topics and materials in classrooms during these weeks.
The desired outcome of these three weeks is to allow a medium in which the community and campus can focus and feature
international topics and the culture it brings to the Big Rapids and Ferris community. It would also allow for a method to further
educate our faculty/staff/students on cultural diversity and international aspects in education as well as encourage cultural
understanding within the Big Rapids community.
This celebration of Festival of Nations will NOT replace the annual International Festival held each spring and supported by the
Office of International Education and the Office of the President.
Timeline for project implementation:
April 2013: Establish planning committee; Meet with planning committee on determining who to meet with around campus and
community to promote the Festival of Nations and encourage participation.
Begin the promotion to specific departments and organizations on campus in community for the Festival celebrations – inform the
purpose and desire behind the celebration
May 2013: Meet with prospective organizations/departments on what types of events they could plan for the Festival of Nations
Determine the needs of each organization/departments/group that will be participating
Begin to schedule events for Festival of Nations
Begin promotion through electronic media promoting the event in the fall
June 2013: Continue to work with campus/community organizations and departments on planned events and needs of each event.
Begin promotion through electronic media promoting the event in the fall
July 2013: Continue to work with campus/community organizations on planned events and needs of each event.
Promotion through electronic media promoting the event in the fall
August 2013: Finalize the schedule for all events on campus and in the community
Create marketing materials for Festival of Nations before semester begins
September 2013: Distribute marketing materials early September
Promote Festival of Nations through several mediums including radio, Ferris cable, Torch, Pioneer, Downtown Business Association,
Chamber, fliers, word of mouth, and other electronic calendars
October 2013: Continue promotion methods
Events begin on October 14
November 2013: Events end on November 8
December 2013: Final budget reporting on costs associated with running the Festival of Nations
Compile final report on events including suggestions for next year
Compile final survey results
Meet to discuss findings and create suggestions on how to improve Festival of Nations for next year
The names and qualifications of all individuals who are substantially responsible for pursuing the proposal's objectives:
Tara Braun, Ferris State University International Exchange Manager
I will work as the main contact person for the Festival of Nations and have planned several large events on campus and in the
community. I have lived in Big Rapids since I was two and am very familiar with several organizations and people in the
community. My father taught at Ferris and I attended (graduated with Masters in 2011) Ferris as well as some of my children. I have
not only seen Big Rapids grow, but also have witnessed the international growth at Ferris. I know there is a growing interest in
international topics in the community and also recognize the growing need for cultural understanding on campus and in the
community.
Liz Matthews, Ferris State University Immigration Specialist/International Student Advisor
Liz currently works with International Student Services and also the Center for Global Studies. Both of these positions involve
planning international events that will be educational for the international and domestic student community.
Lisa vonReichbauer, Ferris State University Intensive English Program Coordinator
Lisa is currently overseeing and also serving as an instructor to the Intensive English Program. She will be able to involve
international students and communicate with faculty on incorporating international aspects into their classrooms.
Various Student Assistants in the Office of International Education
Dissemination
Discuss how you will disseminate the results/findings of your project to the University, community, and/or your greater academic/
professional community. Dissemination plans should also be included in your project timeline on page 4. Additionally, identify your
specific plans to report to the Foundation Board of Directors your project results and conclusions (per the RFP requirements).
There will be a continuous estimated and then final budget for all costs associated with this Festival of Nations. The costs involved
would be for marketing, promotion, and assistance if needed to purchase special classroom exhibits or to assist departments to
bring international themed events to the campus and community.
Surveys will be done both by paper (at the event) or electronically if can be. Electronically would be more effective with collecting
data, but all results will be compiled into an electronic format reporting. This report will show the effectiveness of each event to
determine if there was a change in cultural perspective because of the event and if the event was enjoyed. It will also include
suggestions from the participants on how to improve the event to reach the desired intent of cultural awareness.
This final report will include a summary of all events held during the weeks of Festival of Nations, showing the times, locations,
who held the event, and how many people attended. This will actually create a database for the future Festival of Nations and will
enable for better planning in the future.
Budget - Detail how grant funds will be used. The budget should also describe the extent to which any additional resources beyond the Foundation's
grant are needed and have been committed to the project. If requesting equipment, assess distribution/disposal upon completion of project. Please
list items under the expense categories. **Food and beverage expenses will not be funded by the Foundation. It is not the intent of the grant
to fund/provide direct compensation for faculty/staff. Student salaries are considered on a case by case basis**
Project Income:
Ferris Foundation:
3,000
Department/College:
2,000
In-Kind (please specify):
Other Sources (please specify):
Total
Project Expenses:
5,000
Ferris Foundation
Salaries/Personnel Costs
Department/College
0
Supplies and Materials
2,000
Equipment
1,000
1,000
Travel & Transportation
Other
1,000
TOTAL
3,000
2,000
Other Sources
In-Kind
Subtotal
Budget Narrative
Explain estimated income and expenses listed on the previous page. For ongoing projects, please include a discussion financial
sustainability of the project or initiative.
Unless an event calls for an entry fee (such as through Stage M) there will be no income from these events going to the Office of
International Education.
Expenses include:
• Promotional expenses
• Production of Fliers
• Production of Banners for campus and community wide
• Supplemental money for organizations/student groups/departments to host events if needed
• Supplemental money to purchase classroom or event supplies if needed
The Banners will be created with the intent to be used for several years of the Festival of Nations and will be used downtown (similar
to the Festival of the Arts) to promote the celebration of the Festival. Other Banners will be used around campus in a format that can
be changed in a few years. This cost is low and can be accounted for at a later date according to what works in promoting the Festival
of Nations.
The Office of International Education is willing to spend funds to plan an event coming directly from the Office of International
Education. If any other department is looking for assistance will bringing a special international event to campus during this time, I
would like to be able to offer some financial assistance for this, but not fund the event completely. The purpose is to promote those
departments to focus on international topics, not fund events for them completely.
You are only allowed the space in this box for your budget narrative.
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