FrontierFiestaAssociation
StudentFeeAdvisoryCommitteeRequestFY2013
October24,2011
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 2 1. Pleaseprovideaone‐pageexecutivesummaryofyourquestionnaireresponses.This
summaryshouldinclude,inbriefterms:yourunit’smission,howyouaccomplish
yourunit’smission,andajustificationofyourunit’sstudentfeeallocationinterms
ofbenefitsforstudents.
TheFrontierFiestaAssociation(FFA)plansFrontierFiesta;athree‐dayeventthatunitesUniversityof
Houstonstudents,faculty,staffandalumniinadditiontotheHoustoncommunity.TheFFAiscommitted
toprovidinglow‐costorno‐costfamily‐friendlyentertainment,programmingeventsthatencourage
schoolspirit,andraisingfundsforthescholarshipaward.FFAannuallyawardsapproximately$11,000to
qualifyingincomingfreshman,currentUHstudents,andgraduatestudents.
Theeventincludesstudent‐conductedBroadway‐styleVarietyShows,CarnivalBooths,Multicultural
Performances,StudentOrganizationShowcasesandmusicalperformances.Educationalexhibitsinclude
historicalandrovingsetups(Inter‐TribalCouncil,AmericanCowboyMuseum,ROTC),MadScience,
pettingzoo,andamagicianandstoryteller.
TheprimarymissionoftheFrontierFiestaAssociationistocontinuetounitetheUniversityofHouston
andthegreaterHoustonMetropolitanCommunity,topromotetradition,schoolpride,andeducation
throughscholarshipsaswellasbuildingonthesuccessofthepreviousyears.Furthermore,Frontier
Fiesta2012willcelebratethe21thanniversaryoftheevent’striumphantreturn.TheFrontierFiesta
2012’sBoardofDirectorsvisionistocontinueasuccessfulannualtraditionthroughoutreachand
educationofstudentsandorganizationsattheUniversityofHouston.
FFAwillplaceemphasisondiversity,growththroughcampusparticipation,studentinvolvementaswell
asgivingbacktothegreatHoustoncommunity.
FrontierFiesta2012willcontinuetomaintainthethreefundamentalsinstilledbytheFFABoards
proceeding:scholarship,communityparticipation‐‐withspecialemphasisplacedonFamilyFunDay‐‐
andprovidingmeaningfulentertainmenttostudentsinasafeandsecureenvironment.Thiscommitment
toourfundamentalidealswillallowFrontierFiesta2012tocontinuereaffirmingFrontierFiesta’s
positionastheoldestandgreatestUniversitytradition,whilemaintainingitsheritageandproperly
reflectingtheUniversity’sdiversepopulationandinterests.
FrontierFiestareliespredominatelyonSFACfundingtocontinueatraditionthatremainsthe
cornerstoneofUniversityofHoustonhistory.Thestudents,facultyandstaffparticipateinandcontribute
toFrontierFiestaasadeclarationofpridefortheUniversity,thecommunityandtheCityofHouston.The
nameandthemeisrecognitionoftheregion’swesternheritage,buttheeventisasourceofspirited
competitionandcelebrationoftheUniversity’stalent.
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 3 2. Provideanorganizationchartofyourunit.Largeunitsmayneedtohavean
overviewchartandthenmorespecificchartsforeachprogram.Whereyouhave
multiplestaffinthesameposition(e.g.counselor,custodian,etc),notethisonyour
chart.Studentemployeesshouldbecitedonthechartandidentifiedasstudents.
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 4 3.Listtheobjectivesthatyouprovidedwithyour2010‐2011SFACrequest.Please
commentonyoursuccessinachievingtheseobjectives.Ifanobjectivechanged
duringtheyear,pleasenotethisandexplain.Also,listanynewobjectives,the
rationalefortheaddition,andcommentonyoursuccessinachievingthese
objectives.
Goalsfrom2011
General:
 RemainFiscallySound
 FillallAssistantDirector
positions
 Increasevolunteers
Howandiftheywereachieved
 The2011Boardofdirectorswereabletoaccomplish
thegoalssetfortheirservingyear.TheFrontierFiesta
Associationwasleftwithanadequateamountof
incomeforitsfollowingboardtouse,andpositionsfor
assistantdirectorswerefilledpriortoFiesta.This
illustratingthegrowthofstudentinvolvementwiththis
organization.Therewasaconsistentamountof
volunteershelpingoutduringtheevent.
 FFABoardpositionswerefilledbeforetheendofthe
year.
 Theboardwasleftintheblackmarginin2011.
SomethingthatFiestahadbeenlackinginitsprevious
years.
Chair
 HiringoftheBoardofDirectors
beforetheendoftheacademic
year
 Maintainingaworkingbudget
throughouttheFiscalyear
Marketing
 Developadetailedmarketing
plan
 Increasingawareness
throughouttheUniversityand
surroundingHouston
community
Operations
 Continuetoincreasesafety
 PrepareasiteplanwithBoardof
Directors,vendorsandalumni





Cook‐Off
 SanctionCook‐Off
 Increasecook‐offteams

Development
 Increasealumniparticipation
 IncreaseCommitteemen
sponsorship
 Increaseeventsponsorship
(Dollaramount&giftinkind)



AwarenessandFiestaparticipationwasincreaseddue
tothemarketingefforts.
Therewereclass‐roomvisits,PSAannouncements,
connections‐meetings,informationaltables,flyerand
promotionalitemsdistribution.
TherewassecurityprovidedbyUHDPS&FiveStarat
Fiesta.
Entrancehadtobehalted,aswereachedcapacityon
oneofthenights.Thisactionwastakentomaintain
stabilityoftheeventandthoseinit.
Siteplanwaspreparedinappropriatetimebeforethe
eventandrevisedwiththeFFAboardandalumni.
FY2011,Cook‐OffwassanctionedbytheTexasGulf
CoastBarbequeCookersAssociation.
ThenumberofCook‐Offteamparticipationincreased
from58to69
TheboardcontinuestoincreaseAlumniparticipationas
theyheldmonthlymeetingswiththeirAlumniMentors.
DirectorofDevelopmentandStaffadvisorcontinueto
workonCommitteemendatabase.
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 5 Productions
 Increaseattendanceby
showcasingdiversetalent
(varietyshows,carnivalbooths,
talentshow,concerts)
 Strivetogeneratenewideasand
keeptheeventcurrentwith
changingtrends

DirectorofProductioncontinuestolookatoptionsfor
increasedeventattendance,andorganization
involvement.
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 6 4. Please discuss the means that you are utilizing to evaluate both your success in
achieving the aforementioned objectives and their importance as compared to
otherobjectivesthatyoumightpursue.Wheredataexist,discussthenumberof
persons served by each of your programs, the satisfaction level of those served,
and/oranyotherassessmentmeasuresevaluated.Pleaseprovidethemethodfor
collectingthesedata.
Asanorganization,theFrontierFiestaAssociationconductednumerouspost‐eventmeetingswith
participants,theSteeringCommitteeandtheCenterforStudentInvolvementstaff.Thesummariesofthe
meetingsprovideanobjectiveevaluationinordertocreateacomprehensiveeventoverview.Theuseof
severalfocuseddiscussiongroupswithnon‐participatingandparticipatingstudentswerealsocompiled
inareport.Thecurrentboardofdirectorshasbeenabletoutilizetheinformationcontainedinthe
reportstoplanfortheupcomingevent.
Wehavefound,awarenessfortheeventhasincreasedasoneofthenightstheevent’sentrancehadtobe
halted.Theboardislookingatalternativestoadequatelyusethelocationithasbeengiventosuccessfully
catertothoseattendingtheevent,withoutcompromisingsafety.Additionally,theboardofdirectorsis
lookingtoconnectmorewiththestudentbodyandorganizations,toincreaseparticipationinFiesta.FFA
wouldliketoincreaseknowledgeofhoworganizationscangetinvolvedandhavemoreactivities
availableforattendeesofFiesta.
Participation
ParticipationfromUniversityorganizationsandgroupsisanexcellentmethodfortheFFAtoevaluate
success.Thefollowingcharthighlightsorganizationalparticipationinpastyears:
Year
#ofOrganizations
2005
33
2006
34
2007
22
2008
21
2009
26
2010
31
2011
30
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 7 Scholarship
ScholarshipisafundamentalelementoftheFFA.Incomingfreshman,currentandgraduatestudentsat
theUniversityofHoustonareeligibletoapply.Thefollowingchartillustratestheamountofscholarship
dollarsgiveninpastyears:
Year
ScholarshipAmount
2005
$8,000
2006
$9,000
2007
$10,000
2008
$4,500
2009
$11,000
2010
$11,000
2011
$11,000
Attendance
FrontierFiestautilizesadailyattendancecount,conductedbythesecurityandUniversitystaffpostedat
theentrancetoFiestaCityinordertoevaluatetheeffectivenessofmarketingandappealof
events/servicesoffered.Thefollowingchartillustratesattendanceinpastyears:
Year
Attendance
2005
30,000
2006
25,000
2007
21,000
2008
18,000
2009
19,400
2010
18,606
2011
24,220
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 8 5. Please discuss any budget changes experienced since your last (FY2012) SFAC
request,theirimpactonyourprograms,andyourreasonforimplementingthem.
SFAC recognizes that some programs did not receive the funds that they
requested, that some programs were impacted by additional expenses after the
conclusion of the budget cycle, and that some programs may be ahead of or
behind their self‐generated income projections. In addition, if your unit
concluded FY2011 with a Ledger 3 Fund Equity balance, please describe the
conditionswhichcausedthefundbalance.
Thisyear,theFrontierFiestaAssociationisrequestinganincreaseinourincomeoncertaincomponents
that lead to the building of the event. The four areas we are requesting an increase in are: warehouse,
operations, productions, and security. FFA board is requesting for a one time funding FY2011 for the
warehouse,andabaseaugmentationFY2012forwarehouse,operations,productions,andsecurity.
Warehouse
 Requestinganincreaseof$2,220.00
 The pricing of renting our warehouse increased this year. We had to option to move unto
university property which would give us a warehouse with electricity, water and better safety.
This in comparison to our previous warehouse. Those amenities cost our organization an
additional$2,220peryear.
Operations
 Requestinganincreaseof$10,000.00
 InordertooperateFiestaandalltheoperationalrequirements(i.e.water,electricity,sound,
lighting,rentalspace)theboardhashadtoraiseorworkwithcompaniestofindadequateprice
arrangementstowhatweareabletoafford.Thisisthehighestexpenseforoureventthatcanlimit
theamountoffundsspendonthedevelopmentofFiesta.Additionally,thisincreaseinbudget
wouldhelpalleviatethepriceofhowmuchorganizationshavetopaytoparticipateatFiesta.The
budgetforoperationscoversrawmaterials,lighting,gas,electricity,infrastructure,sitecost,
lumber,tents,andanyoperationalcost.
Productions
 Requestinganincreaseof$10,000.00
 ProvidingentertainmentforFiestaisnotjustaboutartistperformances.Fiestaworkstobring
exhibitsandactivitiesforstudentsandfamiliestoenjoythroughoutthethreedayfestival.The
budgetforproductionslimitstheamountofactivitiesandentertainmentweareabletoprovideat
Fiesta..EachyeartheamountofincomeallocatedtoproductionsfromSFAChasbeensurpassed
bytheactualamountspent.Thebudgetforoperationscoversanyexhibits,lighting,artists,stages,
pettingzoo,DJ’s,sound,games,anyentertainmentatFiesta.
Security
 Requestinganincreaseof$5,000.00
 SecurityisavitalcomponentofFrontierFiesta.WehavetoensureeveryoneatFiestaisassafeas
possibletosecurethecontinuanceofourevent.Securityispaidaroundtheclocktosupervise
beforeandpostourevent.Theadditionalamountrequestedwouldhelpalleviatesomeofthe
expensepaidforsecurity.Therehasalsobeenanincreaseinthecostofsecurity,whichiswhyFFA
isrequestingadditionalfunding.
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 9 6. Pleaselistyour2012‐2013objectivesinpriorityorder.Largerunitsmaywishto
group your response by subprogram. Under each objective, state the specific
programs, activities, and/or services that you plan to implement to meet your
objectives.
Chair
 HiringoftheBoardbeforetheendoftheacademicyear
 Maintainaworkingbudgetthroughoutthefiscalyear
Development
 Increaseeventsponsorship(dollaramount&giftsinkind)
 IncreaseAlumniparticipation
 IncreaseandorganizeCommitteemensponsorship
 Increaselocalbusinessparticipation
Operations
 LookatpotentialnewlocationsforFiesta
 Continuetoincreasesafety
 Enhancesiteplanfortheevent
Marketing
 ContinuetoincreaseawarenessofFrontierFiestawithintheUniversityandHoustoncommunity.
 Structureandimplementamarketingplan.
Productions
 WorkwithorganizationsthathaveatonetimeorneverparticipatedwithFiesta,oncontinuingor
startingarelationshipwithourevent.
 Continuetoincreaseparticipationthroughtheshowcaseofdiversestudenttalent,artist
entertainment,varietyshows,talentshows,carnivalbooth,andallcomponentsofFiesta.
 ContinuetocentralizeFamilyFunDayaroundfamiliesandthecommunity,andincreaseactivities
forthem.
Cook‐Off
 Increasecook‐offteams
 Increaseparticipationofcook‐offteamsinCharcoalChallenge
Scholarships
 IncreaseawarenessoftheFiestascholarshiparoundthecommunity,andtheUniversity.Increase
exposureoftheapplicationthroughcollegewebsites,highschooladvisorscontacts,andalumni
connections.
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 10 7. What are the other possible sources of funding available to your unit and what
effortsarebeingmadetoaccessthem(e.g.grants,donations,etc.)?
TheFrontierFiestaAssociationactivelyseeksothersourcesoffundingandsystematicallyexploresthese
avenues.Thisisaccomplishedthroughthreeprimaryareas–Committeemen,sponsorships,donations.
The most consistent area is the Frontier Fiesta Committeemen program. This program encourages
prominentalumniandcommunitymemberstosponsortheeventthroughdonations.TheFrontierFiesta
boardcontinuestomakebecomingaCommitteemenaonetimefeeandayearlydonationtohelpintheir
continuoussupportofFrontierFiestaandtheFrontierFiestaScholarships.TheCommitteemenstatusis
opentoanyonethatdonatestotheFrontierFiestaScholarshipfundandcontinuoussupportofFrontier
Fiesta.
ThesecondavenueofdonationsisthroughindividualandcorporatesponsorshipforpartsofFiestaCity.
The board continues to lay out specific sponsorships that include different areas within Fiesta City.
Examplesofsponsorshipopportunitiesincludetheinformationbooth,thegeneralstore,awagon,orthe
jail. Sponsors have the option to be put on the website and FF event t‐shirt. The packages have many
privilegesdependingonthemoneydonatedandalloftheirfundinggoestowardsthesustainabilityofthe
eventthroughdonations,corporatesponsorships,andthesilentauction.
The Frontier Fiesta Association has information packets that clearly outlined the benefits for working
withFrontierFiesta.TheDirectorofDevelopmentcontinuestoidentifypreviousandnewsponsorsand
committeemen.
TheboardandalumniareworkingtoestablishaUHAArecognizedAlumnigroup.Theboardisworking
todeveloprelationshipswithpreviousboardmembersbyhavingAlumnimentorsandboardreunions.
FFAisalsotryingtobuildbetterrelationshipswithorganizationstoincreaseinvolvementwithFiesta,as
wellasshowsupportinotheractivities.
InordertomakeFiestaruntoitsfullpotential,developmentwillhavetoraiseabout$90,000topayfor
the increase in expenses, entertainment, marketing, maintenance, scholarships, and any additional
expenses.
Frontier Fiesta Association Program Questionnaire Page 11 8. Please describe any overlap between your unit and any other unit(s) providing
servicestostudentsandtherationalefortheoverlap.
AlthoughthereisnooverlapbetweentheFrontierFiestaAssociationandanyotherUniversityunit,we
feelitisimportanttonotethecampuspartnershipsthatoccurbefore,duringandaftertheevent.Thefee‐
fundedgroupsthatparticipateinFrontierFiestainsomewayinclude:ActivitiesFundingBoard,Student
ProgramBoard,StudentVideoNetwork,Homecoming,CouncilofEthnicOrganizations,Student
GovernmentAssociation,andtheMetropolitanVolunteerProgram.Someofthecampuspartnersinclude
theBauerCollegeofBusiness,ProgramforExcellenceinSelling,ConradHiltonCollege,Campus
RecreationandWellnessCenter,ResidentialLifeandHousing,Athletics,StudentAffairs,and
departmentswithintheSchoolofTechnology,FrontierFiestaremainsaneventthathasnocomparisonat
theUniversityofHouston.