The Dean Witter Fund promotes informal social faculty-student interaction and was established by a contribution from Dean Witter, founder of the San Francisco based investment firm.
Funds may be used to defer the cost of a variety of events, including meals on campus, at local restaurants, or informal social gatherings.
Application submissions are currently closed and will reopen at the start of Fall Quarter on September 21, 2026.
Contact Information
- Questions regarding the application process should be directed to [email protected].
- For events serving graduate students, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website.
- For events serving law school students, please contact the School of Law Dean's Office at [email protected].
Eligibility
- Applications should be submitted at least one month prior to the proposed event and are reviewed in the order they are received during the fall, winter and spring academic quarters only by the Council on Student Affairs and Fees (COSAF).
- Please allow up to 3 weeks to receive a response to your application.
- All events must include undergraduate students and at least one instructor (professor, lecturer, or TA).
- Eligible attendees include instructors and undergraduate students.
- Event must be an informal activity outside of the classroom.
Guidelines
- Funds are to be used for the social interaction of undergraduate students and instructors (professors, lecturers, TAs).
- An event agenda and projected budget of expenses are required.
- Student Affairs reserves the right to verify the event with the designated guests.
- Failure to comply with these guidelines may put your funding in jeopardy of being rescinded.
Reimbursement Process
- Funding is disbursed in the form of a paper check/direct deposit reimbursement upon conclusion of the trip/event.
- Applicants must pay for their own expenses to be reimbursed within the limits set by UCD PPM 330-80 & UC BUS-79 with a tip rate of no more than 18% for catering/meals.
- All individuals receiving funding must submit all itemized receipts and required documentation within 5-7 business days of the trip/event to initiate the reimbursement process.
- Failure to submit all requested itemized receipts and documentation within 30 days of trip/event end date will result in forfeiture of your award even if personal funds have already been spent.
Ineligible Events and Expenses
Funding will not be awarded for the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Departmental events
- Events open to the public
- Formal classroom activities and/or functions that are a part of the graded curriculum
- Formal recognition/award events
- Gift cards
- Multiple applications for the same event
- Spouses, domestic partners and family members of attendees
- Tickets for sports events or musical/theatrical performances