Student Collectives > Application Process & FAQS
APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS
Student Collective applications are now closed. Exceptions can be made for schools whose academic year doesn’t align with an August/September start date. Please email education@womeninanimation.org for information about this.
Below are some of the basic requirements for a WIA Student Collective. To renew an existing Collective, the WIA Student Collective must still be in good standing for all the items outlined below.
1. STUDENT COLLECTIVE MEMBERS
Recruit Collective members – 10 members is a good start. Your Collective should be open to all people with a focus on supporting women (cis and transgender) and nonbinary students. These Student Collective members are not required to be active, donating WIA members but will need to become a donating WIA member if they want to participate in WIA Membership Exclusive events, apply for WIA scholarships, or participate in the WIA Mentoring Program.
2. LEADERSHIP
Student Collective Leads and Leadership make final decisions within the collective. You may have a broader leadership group that includes staff/support roles such as admins, officers, designers, assistants, etc. WIA refers to “Leadership” as the core decision-makers of the group. You can find this information in the Student Handbook’s section on Collective Volunteer Roles. If applicable, assign the required WIA Student Collectives roles to the equivalent positions in the club’s existing leadership. (Example: President > Co-Lead, (if applicable) Social Media Manager > Communication Lead). Co-leads should only hold one other title aside from Co-lead.Â
- Collective Lead (Main Point of Contact)
- Collective Co-Lead
- Communications Lead – Required, can be taken on by the Collective Co-Leads
- Event Lead – Required, can be taken on by the Collective Co-Leads
- Community Liaison – Optional, can be taken on by the Collective Co-Lead
- Graphic Design Lead – Optional, can be taken on by the Collective Co-Lead
3. WIA CONTACT EMAIL
To keep communication streamlined and help with Collective Information during leadership handoff we require a Student Collective Email address. The email will need to follow this format wia.schoolname@(SCHOOL).EDU or @Gmail.com only.
NOTE: Existing Collectives should already have a Student Collectives email address created by previous leadership. Please reach out to gain access to that email; this information should have been passed along to new leadership.
4. FACULTY ADVISOR
If required by your school, find a faculty advisor to oversee the student Collective for the current academic year. Faculty Advisors provide students with mentorship and relevant information on behalf of the educational institution. Faculty advisors should not and cannot run the student collective on behalf of the students—this includes administrative tasks. They are advisors only.
5. SCHOOL BYLAWS
If required by your school, make sure the Collective is recognized by the school as an official Student Collective (Club) with clear bylaws.
6. CLEAR GOALS AND PLANNING
Define the Collective goals and plans for events and activities while keeping WIA’s mission. Each Collective is required to offer at least two WIA Connects (social, networking events that educate participants about WIA’s mission) and at least one Talent Development event (i.e. panel discussions, workshops, guest speakers that help members build their hard and soft skills as an animation professional). Student Collectives are encouraged to meet monthly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL STUDENT COLLECTIVES & BEFORE YOU APPLY
Q: Who can apply?
A: Anyone in a higher education institution (college, university, in-person or online school) can form a Student Collective and apply. The applicant should be either a co-lead or part of the leadership team, as they will receive all communication about the application until the collective is approved.
Q: My school used to have a WIA Student Club; is that the same as a WIA Student Collective?
A: Yes! WIA has updated and expanded our WIA Communities model. Our former Student Clubs are now called Student Collectives to align with our update. The name has changed but the core of the program has stayed the same.
Q: What if I can’t find 10 students to join the Collective?
A: That’s okay! Let us know and we will see how we can help you promote. You’re not only limited to art students or people who want to work in the industry. Anyone who aligns with WIA’s goals within your school can join!
Q: Can only women join?
A: Not at all. WIA welcomes all people who align with WIA’s mission of bringing together the global animation community to empower and advocate for people of underrepresented gender identities in the art, technology, production, and business of animation, inspiring excellence, and justice in all facets of the industry.
Q: Are WIA memberships required?
A: No, WIA memberships are not required to join or start a WIA Student Collective, but they are required to participate in any WIA-hosted Events, the Mentorship Program, and the Scholarship Program.
Q: My school already has an animation club. Can this WIA student Collective join it?
A: Yes! We only ask to add “A WIA Student Collective” as the subtitle if you cannot change the animation Collective’s name.
Q: My school is not in the US, but I want to open a Student Collective. Can I still apply?
A: Yes! We encourage international students and schools to apply for a WIA Student Collective. While we will still operate during the US standardized school year, Collectives are open to anyone. Please contact education @ womeninanimation.org if you’d like to apply outside of the standard US Collectives application period.
Q: It’s in the middle of the semester/quarter. Can I still apply to get my WIA student Collective approved, or do I have to wait until the start of the semester/quarter?
A: In most cases, you’ll need to wait until the next school year to start a WIA-recognized collective. The exception is if your school’s academic calendar falls outside of an August/September start date. If that’s the case, please contact WIA Education for more information.
Q: As a faculty member or educator, how do I help my students start a WIA student Collective?
A: Thank you so much for your support of your students! Please spread the word to your students and engage their interest in starting a WIA Student Collective. If you have identified potential student leaders, please direct them to fill out the application form, once available. However, please note that the WIA Collective should be, but not limited to, student-run. Please reach out to WIA Education at education@womeninanimation.org and we would love to chat about how to collaborate.
Q: What do Faculty Advisors do?
A: The role of a Faculty Advisor is to provide students with mentorship and relevant information on behalf of the educational institution. Faculty advisors should not and cannot run the student collective on behalf of the students—this includes administrative tasks. They are advisors only.
ACTIVE COLLECTIVES
Q: Our Collective would like to start a new program! Can we do this?
A: WIA defines a program as an ongoing, systematic effort, service, or collection of resources that meets specific community needs. For example, WIA runs the following programs: Mentorship, the Talent Database, Scholarship, and the Job Board. Since successful programs generally require a longer-term commitment to development and upkeep, Collectives are encouraged to consider how the proposed program would continue beyond any particular Collective leader’s term. Check in with WIA at Education@womeninanimation.org about your idea. WIA’s Signoff is REQUIRED if the program uses WIA’s name, branding, and affiliation.
Q: Can I still host events during the summer and winter breaks?
A: Absolutely! Let us know if this is part of your plan.
Q: Are there exclusive events for WIA student Collective members?
A: WIA hosts a few exclusive events for WIA Student Collectives and plans to expand. Due to the multiple locations of WIA student Collectives, these exclusive events will only take place virtually so everyone can attend.
Q: Is it possible to collaborate with other WIA student Collectives to host events together?
A: Of course, and we strongly encourage you to do so at least once a year. This is to help you and your fellow Collective members expand your network outside of school. Approved Student Collectives will have access to a database with the contact information of other Student Collective leaders.
Q: How do I ask WIA’s help to find a speaker?
A: We have a speaker request form for all WIA student Collectives to fill out after the WIA Student Collective is approved. Upon receiving the request, WIA Education will assist you in any way possible. Once a speaker is sourced, we will ensure you have their contact information for planning if necessary. Please note that WIA requires all events with speakers sourced from WIA to be open to other WIA Student Collectives.
Q: Is there any WIA local chapter that we can work with and ask for support?
A: WIA has many local chapters, which you can find on our website. We encourage you to reach out to them to see if there are ways you can collaborate.
Q: I am a student leader, but I am incredibly overwhelmed with my schoolwork. Can I resign?
A: Yes, your schoolwork comes first. In this case, ask your peers to see who can help run the WIA Student Collective. Once a new leader is chosen, please contact WIA Education and let us know so that we can continue to support your fellow students/members. If no leader steps up, please work with WIA Education to dissolve the collective.
Q: Will we receive WIA merch to hand out to our Collective members?
A: WIA merchandise will be provided as it becomes available. We will send merchandise out in bulk and email our Collectives when it becomes available. There will not be a request form.
Q: Can my Collective make our own WIA merch?
A: Yes, but please follow our WIA branding guidelines, which are provided to Approved Student Collectives. WIA’s Signoff is REQUIRED. Please do not confirm or put any money towards swag that has not been approved by WIA first: (education@womeninanimation.org AND communications@womeninanimation.org).
Q: Does WIA provide funding to Student Collectives?
A: Not at this time, but many schools will provide financial support for student groups officially registered with the school. Collective leaders can also ask for donations to offset Collective costs or talk with the faculty advisor about accessing some funds. However, WIA cannot open or handle any banking information on behalf of a Student Collective. Please refer to your university or school regarding school club finances.
WIA Student Collectives Info Session 2024
*Due to editing the transcript timestamps do not align with the video. The video and transcript are in sync without the timestamps.