Special Events and
Community Partnerships

Special Events and Projects coordinates University-wide participation in community initiatives including sponsorships, program partnerships, and attendance at fundraising and charitable events outside NSU. If a college, school, Center, or department plans to support a community event/initiative, it is required to complete the Community Event Registration Form and submit it to the Office of Special Events and Projects.

The Community Events sponsorship/participation program must address five objectives:

1. Raise the profile of NSU
2. Recruit high-performing students
3. Promote co-op learning opportunities
4. Engage alumni as supporters, donors, and parents of (potential) students
5. Engage community leaders to support NSU’s civic objectives

Examples of initiatives eligible for support:

• Health and Wellness
• Performing and Visual Arts
• Student Recruitment
• Diversity
• Education

Initiatives that are supported need a clear rationale, for instance:

• Enable strategic networking for purposes of recruitment or fundraising
• Raise the profile of the University in areas such as learning and research excellence, staff, and faculty achievements
• Engage alumni as supporters, donors, and parents of potential students
• Partner with community leaders toward strategic objectives
• Compliment marketing initiatives within programs such as capital campaigns, faculty recruitment, co-op program support, or special celebrations and events

Initiatives not eligible for support:

• Events associated with political fundraising
• Retroactive initiatives
• Illegal activities

If you would like your organization to be considered for event sponsorship, please complete and submit the Community Support Request Form. Be sure to submit any additional information regarding the event (sponsorship packages, invitations, and congratulatory ad specifications) for review at least six weeks prior to the event date. Please do not send your event information to multiple departments/offices within NSU as this will only delay the processing of your request.

From a 400-person gala in the Arena to intimate donor cultivation events, Special Events and Community Partnerships conducts special events your guests will remember for a lifetime. This office provides a centralized standard of excellence, quality, and protocol for events hosted by NSU, including the Office of the President, senior vice presidents, University Relations, Alumni Affairs, NSU associates, deans, and development officers.

Special Events and Community Partnerships work with other University/campus departments for events including campus and grounds services, public safety, catering services, media services, and outside vendors.

Please note that all student organizations and student-related activities are required to work with the Office of Student Affairs when coordinating and planning University events.

The Special Events and Community Partnerships team will coordinate every detail of your event from start to finish.

1. Concept: At the first meeting, Special Events and Community Partnerships will conceptualize your event by offering creative ideas and visualizations while staying within your parameters for the overall “look” and budget of the event. We will discuss desired outcomes and goals to achieve a positive Return on Event (ROE).

2. Implementation: The team will bring the ideas discussed above to fruition by preparing an event checklist that serves as an event responsibility agreement, which will outline our responsibilities to you and an initial budget for your approval.

3. Production: The team produces the event, including sourcing and hiring vendors (internal and external). They will also facilitate the design of your event, including coordination between your senior business officer and our event manager(s) to track and facilitate all billing.

4. Management: On-site event management ensures high-quality, effective, and efficient client service and, most important, client satisfaction. They guide the clients on all aspects of the event: floor plans and table schematics; décor; signage and visual displays; show production and staging; on-campus publicity; and sound and lighting.

5. Post-Event: Follow-up activities are conducted as necessary, including budget closure, sending post-event surveys, and providing the client with an event summary report.