FAQs

Make sure that your event fits AI’s mission. We also suggest trying to save money wherever you can – use a student photographer instead of a professional, advertise through the listservs and social media before resorting to newspaper ads and expensive posters, etc. Our biggest concern is usually advertising: make sure you’re doing all you humanly can to advertise your event! We want to fund events that will be inclusive and well-attended. Finally, make sure you are familiar with your full budget before your hearing so that we can discuss any questions or concerns about the event during the presentation. And relax – we want to fund your event! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask any of the Board members.

The Alcohol Initiative generally funds events that will draw a large, diverse crowd. If you have an idea for repeating events throughout the semester that fits the AI mission, apply! We have funded many such events in the past, including the Climbing Wall’s late Thursday nights and Murray-Dodge’s theme nights throughout the semester.

The Alcohol Initiative funds a number of diverse events—from the Sankofa African fashion show after-party, to the Whitman Winter Semi-formal, and the regular Murray-Dodge theme nights. If you feel your event aligns with the AI mission, go ahead and apply for funding!

Upon receiving an award, funds will be transferred to your organization account within 5 business days. You can access those funds through your sponsoring department’s procedures. For ODUS organizations, financial policies and procedures can be found at https://odus.princeton.edu/activities/organizations/policies/financial.

First, make sure your event is registered with ODUS. You can do so on this page. If your event meets certain criteria, it may require the presence of Safeguards and/or Public Safety. Read the ODUS security guidelines below, and if they apply to your event, please ensure that your funding application includes these costs. If you are unsure whether your event falls into any of the below criteria, feel free to ask through email or during your meeting with AI.

Your event requires hiring Safeguards if it meets any of the following criteria:

• Takes place at an eating club at any time
• Requires a ticket, PUID, or other crowd-control measures
• Involves non-Princeton students
• Is a large-scale social event

Your event requires Public Safety Special Event Security if it meets any of the following criteria:

• Features a potentially controversial speaker or topic and may draw a protest or demonstration
• Features a dignitary, head of state, celebrity, or government official
• Takes place in certain locations (e.g., Fine Tower, Carl Icahn, Maclean House)
• Involves non-Princeton students
• Is a large-scale social event

Please note that in order to register your event with Public Safety and request their services, you must fill out a Public Safety Events Registration Form at least 10 days in advance (in addition to filling out your home department’s event registration form).

Because Thursday and Saturday nights are most likely to have high-risk drinking behavior, events on these days are strongly prioritized in Alcohol Initiative’s funding decisions. This means that Friday night events will normally not qualify for full funding. However, if your event is otherwise aligned with AI’s guidelines, partial funding (up to 50%) may still be awarded at the Board’s discretion.

When will your event be held? Make sure that you apply to AI before the deadline for the AI meeting before your event begins. Then, apply for funding through the SAFE (Student Activities Funding Engine) portal. Make sure you select AI as your source of funding. Here’s a helpful demo of how to apply for funding on SAFE. Before the meeting, you will be contacted to set the time for your hearing. Please be on time to your hearing, as the Board regularly hears many presentations per meeting. The Board will make a decision and let you know within a couple of days.

Some examples include:

• Advertising/marketing materials (USG provides up to 100 free posters for every registered student event)
• Non-essential decorations
• Prizes or prize money for raffles/competitions
• Any costs pertaining to exclusive events (e.g. private dinners, member-only gatherings, etc.).
  • AI events must be open to the entire student body.