I.R.A
Instructionally Related Activities
What are Instructionally Related Activities?
Each student contributes $30 to the IRA fund each semester. These funds are distributed to various programs, events, and projects in which students participate.
The Instructionally Related Activity (IRA) Fee provides funding for activities and laboratory experiences that are partially sponsored by an academic program, discipline, or department and that are integrally related to its instructional offerings. These activities include those which are essential to providing a quality educational program and that constitute a vital and/or enhanced instructional experience for students. Activities funded through this fee shall include, but not limited to, the following: Agricultural Judging, Art Exhibits, Athletics, Drama and Musical Productions, Forensics, Music and Dance Performance, Publications, Radio, Television, and Film Productions.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, activities must: (a) be discipline/departmentally based and sponsored, (b) be integral to course offerings, (c) be intensive, structured activities, (d) require active rather than passive student involvement, (e) engage students in performances, presentations, or competitions that demonstrate skills from participation in intensive class work.
What is the Process for Receiving IRA Funds?
Applications for funding requests can be downloaded from the Associated Students, Inc. Website at: asi.csufresno.edu at the beginning of the spring semester.The deadline date for submission is usually in the middle of the semester.
1. The application for IRA funds shall originate at the joint request of students and faculty members from a department or academic discipline. The application shall be forwarded to the department chair and the dean of the school of the sponsoring department or academic discipline for review and recommendation.
2. The request with all recommendations shall then be forwarded to the IRA Advisory Board for review and recommendation.
3. After evaluating the applications, the Board shall forward its recommendations to the President of California State University, Fresno.
4. The President of the University will then make the final determination of IRA funding.
5. For emergency purposes, the Board will maintain a five percent (5%) budget reserve, half to be distributed in the fall semester and the remainder distributed no earlier than April 1st.
Who Reviews and Determines What Projects Receive Funding?
Every campus in the CSU system is mandated to have an equal number of administrators and students on the IRA Advisory Board. The ASI President or designee presides as Chair. The Board reviews the applications as well as hears a brief statement from the applicants themselves. Funding recommendations are then determined based on the merit of each project as well as properties, which the Board has set. If there is money remaining at the end of this process, it is rolled over into a “contingency reserve” for the following fall semester. Most times, the IRA Advisory Board will meet in the fall semester to allocate this money in the same way it did during the spring semester allocations. The Board shall consist of six (6) members. Three (3) faculty/administrators members appointed by the President of the University. Any three (3) students appointed by the President of the Associated Students. The Associated Students’ President, or designee, shall serve as chair.
Funding Criteria The following considerations will apply to funding decisions:The Mission Statement of the University, relevant CSU system documents and these guidelines.
- The participation level of students involved.
- The academic value of the activity.
- Itemized explanations of requested expenditures.
- The use of previous funds received through IRA.
- The ability to be self-sufficient or obtain substantial alternate funding.
- Revenue generated through an admission charge to any or all events.
- The continuation of an activity or program (annual events).
- Importance or significance of the funding to the entire program/event budget.
- All funded programs shall be required to submit a year-end report of expenditures and program activities.