U. Encounter grants to provide funding for students, artists to work together

U. Encounter grants to provide funding for students, artists to work togetherSeptember 13, 2007Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s U. Encounter grant program — a collaborative initiative of the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Academic Affairs — is seeking applications for the year’s first round of grants. U. Encounter grants, administered by the Office of Student Life, provide opportunities for students, artists, performers and/or professionals in the arts to work together through master classes, talk-back sessions, mini workshops, performances or other opportunities for direct contact. U. Encounter also supports academic departments’ programs that may already have speakers or performers scheduled but require additional funding for related out-of-classroom experiences.

The application deadline for the 2007-08 academic year’s first round of grants is Friday, Oct. 19. The program’s new, online application procedure can be initiated at http://studentlife.syr.edu/Events/uencounter.aspx. Applications and information are also available by contacting J.R. McGrath, assistant director in the Office of Student Life, at jrmcgrat@syr.edu or 443-2718. Completed applications are to be submitted to McGrath by e-mail or by delivery to Room 126 of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center.

Successful applications will showcase the proposed program’s opportunity for engagement between students and professionals; relevancy of the program to students; connection to students’ academic excellence; an effort to explore all available funding options; and collaboration with other student organizations, offices or academic departments.

“This program supports the University’s vision for Scholarship in Action by extending the engagements between our students and the world around them,” says McGrath. “U. Encounter-supported programs are memorable, collaborative experiences for our students.”