Scholarships - Brainstorming

[John B. Flores]

This thread is for the purpose of brainstorming and sharing ideas on how to implement chess scholarship programs in Iowa.

[Jacob C.]

What kind of goals do you want to have? Are you thinking it wise to start with the big state universities or something smaller?

[John B. Flores]

We'll play with whomever wishes to play. In other words, we should start chess programs at colleges and universities, big and small. The only requirement is they implement a chess program at their institution.

My plan at MSU-Mankato and/or Minnesota was to implement a chess scholarship program in three stages:

• Award a monetary scholarship the first year - it could be $500, $1,000, $3,000, $5,000 or $10,000 (any given amount-the chess community could raise the money and/or find sponsors for it);
  
• For the second year, the college/university would award a 2 year scholarship; and
  
• Finally, in the third year, they would award a 4-year chess scholarship and continue to do so every year thereafter.
  

However, nothing is written in stone. I am open to hearing ideas, further discussion and help in making it a reality.

Thank you for your inquiry and interest.

[Jacob C.]

That plan looks sound to me. The important thing would be securing funding on a consistent basis. I don't really know how the scholarship process works.

I know in my high school, the local service organizations gave out cash for students to use wherever they went. I don't know much about collegiate chess here in Iowa and if any school has a strong chess club. It may make more sense to give the scholarship out based on rating and academics and then stipulate that it be used at a college here in Iowa? That may not be what you have in mind though.

[John B. Flores]

Raising of funds or seeking sponsors would be for the purposes of making the first monetary award. The institution of higher learning would be responsible for securing funding for their chess program the second year and beyond.

Furthermore, the recipient would have to meet academic and all other entrance requirements. The majority of colleges already have merit scholarships and could allocate one for their chess program.

This evening I will provide some links of existing programs.

[Jacob C.]

Thank you, I look forward to reading through them.

[John B. Flores]

Before I post links for colleges I know of that have chess programs, I share a brief introduction. Be advised I quoted Benjamin Franklin in a previous chess site I owned (Source:The Morals of Chess).

The Chess Solution (obtained from the Hoover Institution)
A 10-year-old nonprofit in New York City promotes an unusual means of improving the academic attainment and life chances of at-risk children: after-school chess-playing. The group, Chess-in-the-Schools, draws its mission from Benjamin Franklin's observation that chess teaches logic and reasoning, improves memory and concentration, and develops critical thinking, patience and determination. It is also a relatively inexpensive extra-curricular activity.

Students at the participating schools receive instruction from a chess instructor one class period a week for either 15 or 30 weeks. According to the group, teachers who have taught students who enroll in the program report improvements in their students' classroom behavior, scholastic performance, attendance, and level of confidence.

Chess-in-the-Schools also commissioned a study in 1996 that showed the reading scores of chess participants improved significantly over the course of a school year compared with a control group that began the year at the same level.

Chess-in-the-Schools started in 1986 with a few volunteers in elementary and junior high schools in the poorest neighborhoods of Harlem, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and the South Bronx. Last year, the group taught chess to 12,000 students in 140 New York City schools; it also has affiliates in 18 other cities. It pays for its books, equipment, and salaries for 30 instructors and other staff entirely with private donations.

• The University of Texas, Dallas
  
• The University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  
• The University of Texas, Brownsville
  
• Texas Tech University
  

[Jacob C.]

For the sake of argument, let's say we decided to work towards a chess scholarship at Iowa State University given its central location and prominent tournament.

Do we approach their chess club directly? Do we talk to their liberal arts program? How would we proceed?

[John B. Flores]

In my opinion, the more people we speak with and bring on board the better. Accordingly, talking with the chess club, the liberal arts program and others, will help create advocates.

However, there is no "right" or "wrong" approach. Eventually, the proposal will have to be addressed by the President or a designated Vice-President by the University. Collecting data and allies is critical.

[Jacob C.]

So:

1. Talk to stakeholders and determine what is needed.
2. Determine structure and criteria of the proposed scholarship.
3. Address preliminary funding.

I can poke around down here at the University of Iowa as a starting point.

[John B. Flores]

That is great! Thank you so much for your initiative and getting the ball rolling to make chess scholarships a reality for this part of the country

May I suggest you post a thread to: Scholarships - Colleges and Universities, stating you are contacting Iowa State University. Doing so will alert others of our efforts and possibly create opportunities for collaboration.

On that note, I invite everyone to contact your local university, college or community school to inquire about the possibility of having a chess program at their institution.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you need additional resources or if you have any questions. I believe the hurdles before us are mere opportunities to overcome and excel.

Our children and their future are waiting for us..

[Jacob C.]

Funding possibilities:

1. Fundraising - eh...
2. Universities putting up cash - I don't know about ISU or UNI, but the UI is recovering from the flood last year as well as dealing with the usual cutbacks in the budget. I just don't see them putting up money to build a chess program at this juncture.
3. Stimulus money (!) - there's probably money to be had somewhere in all the funds flowing out from DC these days. Contacting Harkin or Grassley would be a good idea.

[John B. Flores]

I don't believe, nor expect, colleges should put up cash for the first year award. However, I do expect them to award two-year and 4-year scholarships thereafter.

The stimulus package approach is interesting and worth pursuing. In my opinion, local chambers and visitor bureaus can assist in making the case that chess tournaments, as with any other event, can help stimulate the local economy through hotel stays, restaurants, gasoline sales and other purchases.

One idea I have for fundraising is to contribute five dollars from each entry fee next year (if in fact we do make our first award next year) and award it to the winner of the scholarship. If there are 100 entries that translates into $500. It can be further increased by getting one or more businesses to match that amount on a one-for-one or two-for-one basis.

[John B. Flores]

Colleges could, however, elect to match the entry fee portion by discounting said amount for books, lab fees, etc.