Prove It!

 


APPLICATION FOR PROVE IT IS OPEN NOW!

Deadline for submission of applications in electronic form is: Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 11:59pm

Overview

Do you have an idea that would improve or inspire change on campus? UMBC SGA wants to give you $10,000 to support the implementation of your idea for the 2025-2026 academic year, and make it a reality!

Prove It! is designed to challenge you to think about opportunities for growth in the UMBC community. Who better to inspire change in our community than us? Now is your chance to make it happen.

Create a project, service, or event that adds value, strengthens and/or inspires pride. Submit your idea online via the entry form (individually or in small groups) or attach a pitch video. All ideas are good ideas! Do not be discouraged if your idea is not completely developed. Students with promising proposals will be paired with faculty advisors to help with the development of ideas to ensure that you make a lasting mark on campus. The top three entries will have the chance to pitch their idea to the student body. Then, the student body will ultimately decide the winner.

How to Enter

Complete the UMBC Prove it! Entry Form, which asks you to describe a problem or opportunity at UMBC and describe your idea for addressing it. Remember to have fun!

Competition Rules

Eligibility

Prove It! welcomes submissions from all undergraduate members of UMBC’s campus community*. Applicants should be in good academic standing with the university and intend to return for the Fall 2025 semester**. Groups of applicants must comprise three to five members. While any member of the UMBC community can contribute to or assist with projects, only eligible undergraduates are allowed to submit proposals.

Previous Prove it! Initiatives:

1. True Grit statue
This statue depicts the school’s mascot can be found outside the RAC.

2. Community Garden
Near Fine Arts, between the library pond and the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, a small terrace can be found. Student organizations still use this space to create community.

3. Solar Panel Tables
Have you sat outside at one of the tables on the Commons Terrace or outside the RAC and been able to charge your devices? This is a result of the Solar Panel Tables that were installed as a Prove it! initiative.

4. Commons Garage Counter
The counter in Commons Garage previously did not exist, so often students would enter hoping there were available spots and have to turn around at the top level. Now, drivers can see how many spaces are available before entering the garage.

5. Retriever Treasures
Students often have stuff left over when moving out of their dorms when the spring semester ends, so Retriever Treasures was established as a yard sale-type event for other students to pick up that stuff!

Example Idea Themes To Get You Started:

  1. Products or Services
  2. Social or “Green” Concerns
  3. Campus Innovations

Things to Consider When Developing Your Idea:

1. Identification and Definition of the Problem/Opportunity

  • Has the problem/opportunity been described in a clear and convincing manner?

2. Value Creation

  • Is this an original idea? How innovative is the idea?

3. Feasibility of Implementing the Solution/Idea

  • Does the idea create economic or social value? Is it possible for this idea to be implemented within the next year? How practical is the idea when it comes to implementation?

4. Sustainability

  • How will your initiative be successful when you are no longer a student at UMBC? How can you create a project that will stand the test of time?

Judging Process

First, a committee of staff, faculty, and SGA staff will review and score all entries using several criteria.

The top three finalists will be invited to discuss their proposals with the selection committee and may be asked to change their plans and/or budgets to meet the selection committee’s criteria or expectations or to conform to SGA and UMBC policies.

Making requested changes will substantially increase the likelihood that a proposal will be selected.

SGA and the selection committee will determine the timetable and conditions for the release of all funds awarded through this initiative. Finally, each group will have the opportunity to create videos/other advertisements for their idea. These advertisements will ultimately be seen by the entire student body, whose vote will determine the winner. During the final week of the competition, the student body will vote for the 2024-2025 Prove It! Winner.

Timeline

  • October
    • Application goes live
    • Prove It! Information sessions 
  • November
    • Prove It! Information sessions 
  • December
    • Deadline for submissions(December 22, 2024)
  • January
    • SGA Prove It! Committee reviews submissions 
  • February
    • February 1 – Decisions Announced
      • Applications Assessments sent to finalists
      • Denial forms distributed
    • February 28 – Resubmissions Due for finalists
  • March
    • SGA Prove It! Committee assesses resubmissions and decides the finalists.
    • Invitations distributed to finalists for the Prove It! Party.
  • April
      • Prove It! Party, announcement of the winner/winning group based on student votes.
  • May
    • Winners meet with the UMBC SGA Prove It! committee to set up an execution plan for the following academic year.

Application Form

Complete your form here.

In Section I of your application, you are required to give your idea a name and name a core group of individuals(at least three and no more than five) who are presenting the proposal for your project. Each group must designate a “Leader” or “Chair” and will be the official contact person for the SGA with regard to all aspects of the Prove It! initiative. You must include a maximum of four additional contacts on this form who have agreed to be responsible for the submitted project. At least one member of your group must be planning on being enrolled at UMBC for the entire 2025-2026 academic year. Student ID numbers are required information for the purpose of verifying academic standing and undergraduate status.

Section II:
In Section II of your application, you are required to explain and detail your event/project. Please follow the directions for each part carefully.

Part 1: Overview
Provide an overview of your idea, incorporating background information and outlining the overall mission and purpose of your project. Be as specific as possible in your description.

Ensure that your summary addresses the following key points:

  1. Identify the gap on campus that your idea aims to fill. 2. Share the moment when you recognized the potential benefits of your idea for the campus community.
  2. Specify the individuals or groups who would benefit from your idea.
  3. Provide an explanation for the importance of implementing your idea.
  4. Illustrate how your idea aligns with and furthers campus goals such as diversity, equity, and inclusion; social responsibility; lifelong learning; collaboration; social justice; and leadership.
  5. If you have utilized additional resources and drawn inspiration from successful initiatives at other schools, kindly reference those sources.

Part 2: Draft Implementation Plan

Share your initial plan for putting your idea into action. List potential campus partners, and clarify in this section whether you have already contacted these campus partners and secured the necessary permissions or cooperation. Break down the steps and milestones to make your idea a reality. Include details on logistics, timelines, and resources needed. If you foresee challenges, mention them and explain how you plan to overcome them. This detailed plan will help the evaluation committee assess the feasibility and impact of your proposal.

Part 3: Anticipate Costs/Budget

Please list as many anticipated costs as possible below. We strongly encourage you to rely on reliable resources to support these numbers, particularly if similar ideas have been successfully implemented elsewhere. This approach will enhance the credibility of your budget estimates and provide valuable insights for the Prove It! committee.