STF Point System

The money allocated by the Student Travel Fund is made possible by contributions from the University of Miami Citizens Board, the RSMAS Dean, and from the efforts of the Marine Science Graduate Student Organization (MSGSO). MSGSO’s primary source of income is through the Annual Student Auction that takes place in October. To be eligible for STF funding, it is only fair that all students contribute to MSGSO to raise the funds STF allocates.

2 POINTS are REQUIRED to be eligible for EACH STF FUNDING. Students can only receive funding ONE TIME per fiscal year (June 1-May 31). Therefore, if you apply to STF twice between June 1, 2009, and May 31, 2010, you need to earn 2 POINTS TOTAL to be eligible for funding. POINTS accumulate during the academic year (September 1 – August 31). POINTS earned during this period will expire each year on August 31.

For example, if you attend a conference in October, you MUST earn 2 POINTS before you apply to STF for the October conference.

Points can be earned by holding a leadership position and/or helping with any MSGSO, Outreach, Alumni, or Advancement event. Here are a few examples of ways to earn points. More information about these events can be found on the MSGSO website or the Outreach website. Volunteer opportunities vary from helping MSGSO at the auction to giving a campus tour. There is something for everyone! Some events even include free admission, food and t-shirts!

Records of earned points will be kept by the MSGSO and STF board members and passed on to subsequent boards.

POINTS:

* All points awarded are at the discretion of MSGSO, STF, or the awarding RSMAS member.

• 4 Points:
  • Current MSGSO Officer (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer)
• 2 Points:
  • Student Representative Position
    • Includes MSGSO Division Representatives, STF Division Representatives, GSA Senators, Department Faculty Meeting/Academic Committee Representatives, RSMAS Academic Committee Representative, Library Committee Representative, etc.
  • Local solicitation for auction items (1 point may be earned if a student wishes to visit a smaller number of businesses)
    • Student visits local businesses on a predefined list given by MSGSO from August – October. During these visits, they ask businesses to make a donation to the auction, follow-up, and pick up items if necessary.
• 1 Point:
  • Teaching a seminar for the Student Computing Seminar Series
  • Former MSGSO Officer (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer)
  • Donating a service to the auction (e.g. baked goods, specialty dinners, dance lessons, etc.). Donation of items for live or silent auctions may be made at the discretion of MSGSO.
  • Each 2 hour time block worked at the Annual Student Auction helping in roles defined by MSGSO (e.g. Admission, Live Auction, Silent Auction, Setup/Clean-up, etc.)
  • Volunteer at other MSGSO events in roles defined by MSGSO (e.g. New Student Party, Halloween Party, Holiday Party, Mardi Gras Party, Talent Show, Science Party, Beach Clean Up, Jimbo’s Run, etc.)
  • Tours
    • Give tours of your labs or the school.
      • Middle and High School students - frequently teachers will ask to bring their students to RSMAS to see our labs
      • Donors often want to see our campus and labs
      • Prospective students
  • Lectures
    • Help setup and/or break down for lectures such as:
      • Sea Secrets (one Wednesday a month from January to May)
      • Key Biscayne Lectures (varying dates)
      • Alumni Lecture (May)
      • Bader Lecture (September)
  • Events
    • National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) (February of odd years)
      • Need judges, help setting up, help breaking down, help before the event preparing binders, goodie bags, etc.
    • Alumni Crawfish boil (May)
      • Setup, break down, cooks, etc.
    • RSMAS Open House (September)
      • Setup, break down, group guides, presenters, etc.
    • Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament
      • Marine Conservation Night at RSMAS (November)
      • Tournament on Miami Beach (April)
    • Women in Science Day, Environmental Immersion Day, Bring Your Child to Work Day, Open House, etc.
      • Volunteer to be a guide — escort a group of students from one presentation/location to the next
    • Presentations
      • Give a presentation at Women in Science Day, Environmental Immersion Day, Bring Your Child to Work Day, Open House, etc.
      • Usually 20-40 minutes interactive presentation on your field of study
      • Travel to a school at give a presentation on your field of study.
    • New Student Arrivals
      • Pick-up new students from airport when they arrive to Miami.
      • Host a new student until they find a place to live.

There are numerous ways students can earn points to be eligible for STF funding! If there is something that is not listed above that you think qualifies you to earn points, please email MSGSO and STF PRIOR to the event to receive verification whether or not you will earn points.