Application Process

Learn more about submitting an application and what to expect

Below is a step-by-step guide to submit an application:

  • Step 1: Complete the CU Tonight Application

    • Page 1: Basic Event Information. The who, what, when, where, why, and how.
    • Page 2: Event Details. Has the space been reserved? What are your plans for marketing?
    • Page 3: Funding and Purchasing. What is the total cost of your event? Make sure to attach a detailed budget breakdown.
    • Page 4: Contact information. Select your name and your treasurer (if not the same), as well as your advisor.
    • Page 5: Final information before submitting. Making sure your event fulfills our criteria.
    • When requesting a budget, remember to consider potential add-on costs, such as shipping and tax.

  • Step 2: Application Review

    • After you submit your application, the CU Tonight Commission will review your materials.
    • The Commission reviews applications on a rolling basis every Monday.
    • To be considered for the current week's cycle, the application must be submitted before Sunday at 11:59PM.
      • The last day to submit an application in the Fall 2023 cycle is Monday November 20th at 5:30PM.
    • If you do not hear back within two weeks, contact us at CUTonight@cornell.edu to inquire about where we are in our decision process.
    • If you are awarded funding, you will be held to certain expectations including using the CU Tonight logo with promotional material. Our logos can be found here or under our Resources tab. Your organization may be called into our meeting to discuss any questions the Commission may have regarding the event.
    • Additionally, if you are approved for funding for an event that includes a performer or contractor, please complete the Engagement Agreement on our Resources page.

  • Step 3: Complete the CampusGroups Budget Request

    • Please complete this step only AFTER your application has been approved.
    • Log in to CampusGroups and go to your group page. Note: you must be a listed officer of the page!
    • From your group page, go to Money then Budgeting. Select CU Tonight and Create Budget Request.
    • Create/Edit a Budget Request
    • Budget Request Step 1: General event information. If you are requesting specific items such as decorations, you will need to attach a completed budget breakdown (click to download). Save file as "[Date MMDDYY] - [Org Name] - [Event Name].xlsx" (example: "021420 - Class Councils - Carnelian Gala.xlsx")
    • Budget Request Step 2: Complete your budget request for what you are asking CU Tonight to fund.
    • Each "Budget Item" is one grouping of purchases from the same vendor. For example, all Amazon orders will be one item, venue expenses will be one item, and catering from a particular vendor would be one item. In the notes box, please identify the specific vendors such as the online websites "Amazon.com"/"Partycity.com" or a vendor/performer "Cornell Catering"/"Lizzo".

  • Step 4: Request Payment on CampusGroups

    • Review the step-by-step guide for finalizing your requests.
    • Return to your original budget submission. You will go into the Money > Budgeting tab of your specific organization on CampusGroups, and select CU Tonight.
    • Under approval, look for a green dot. This means a CU Tonight member has approved your budget.
    • If your approval is green, you may select Request Payment and follow that process. Follow the step-by-step guide above on how to complete this part.
    • Each completed request will be sent to the Purchasing Office to finalize purchases and reimbursements.
    • As a reminder, while CU Tonight approves funding, we do not directly distribute funds to organizations. Any questions regarding reimbursement after approval should be directed to the Student Organization Business Office at SAFC@cornell.edu.

  • Step 5: Post Event on CampusGroups (The Final Step!)

    • Open campus groups with your club page opened (look at top bar of the campus group page and click on icon labeled groups). Review the step-by-step guide for finalizing your requests.
    • Review the step-by-step guide for finalizing your requests.
    • Look towards the left side and click event.
    • Create an event with all of the full descriptions (look towards the upper-right hand side).
    • After filling in all your information, scroll down to Advanced Options and click Co-Host this event.
    • Search  the website page for CU Tonight Commission (under the section labeled: Undergraduate Student Organization).