Student elections are held every year at UCSC, and give students the opportunity to decide, among other things, upon supporting new fee increases.  This year GIIP, in an effort to seek more sustainable funding sources, is proposing a measure on the election referendum, requesting that students consider adding a $1.33 per student/quarter fee to tuition.  This fee will generate approximately $40,000 a year for GIIP (with the other $19,500 being returned to Student Aid, a requirement of the elections process).  The money generated by this measure will be invaluable, as GIIP currently receives no university funding and relies entirely upon grants and donations. 

The fee will be used in a variety of ways: 

1.  The fee will allow GIIP to fund participating UCSC students’ travel, health and living expenses and assist GIIP in placing its interns with community groups, non-profits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). GIIP’s classes, trainings, and grant-writing programs prepare UCSC students to become digital social entrepreneurs who use their real world and marketable technical skills to build a sustainable and just society.  

2. The fee will provide financial assistance to low-income students unable to complete GIIP internships because of financial constraints.  

3. A small portion of the fee will support part of the cost of assisting students prepare proposals and grants and place students with community and NGO organizations. GIIP staffers are former GIIPers who develop partnerships and internships with local and international nonprofits, create and teach classes, plan and support GIIP partnerships, and provide technical support while on internships. Average staff salary is $32,628 per year, and benefits are valued at $5,546; part of the fee contributes to sustaining staff members who place and support GIIP student interns.  

4. The fee will also support the global social justice movement and the transition to a sustainable world because it will enable GIIP to place more UCSC students and fund more UCSC student projects and internships with community and non-profits who seek technically trained GIIP interns. GIIP students are encouraged to find internships that focus on our thematic concerns: environmental sustainability, access to quality health and education, women’s empowerment, peace and conflict resolution, social enterprise and global justice.  

Support GIIP!  Vote YES on Measure 37!