Heritage Month Planning Timeline
As you prepare to lead a University heritage month celebration, you can learn more about diversity months here. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Recommended Timeline
*Depending on the scale of the event, planning may need to begin outside of these parameters.
4+ Months in Advance:
Outreach to University community to build committee:
- Garner interest through emails or reaching out to various departments for recommendations. Departments to consider - DEI Committee, University Relations, Cultural Centers and Institutes, Colleges, Athletics, CAPS, Career Center, Student Services, University Advancement (Alumni Engagement & Philanthropy, Advancement Services, Development)
- Consider including surrounding community members such as South Orange, Newark, and community organizations.
- Conduct outreach to student members from student organizations.
- Reach out to key stakeholders, student leaders, and University leadership for support.
Host interest meeting(s)
- Can be informal so interested members can get to know each other
- Gather everyone’s ideas, concerns, and answer questions
- Challenge members to think critically and creatively on ways of incorporating current students, alumni, and community partners into programming
Create a SharePoint or Teams Channel to save all meeting agendas and planning documents
3 Months in advance:
- Host weekly or bi-weekly meetings
- Create an agenda for each meeting
- Appoint a note taker
- Once your event(s) is approved and finalized, Use the Web Planners which allows the campus community and constituents to request web communications. Submit a calendar event planner, a social media planner, and a news story planner to make sure promotion reaches as many community members as possible.
- Review the Event Promotion One Sheet to make sure your event is promoted in every additional area listed on the sheet, as you see fit.
- Provide opportunities for people to share via social media by creating a hashtag specific to the month or event – (Example- #HispanicHeritageMonth)
- Consider educational programming and partnerships with the Seton Hall Library, which
provides great resources on ways for the Seton Hall community to contribute from their
experiences – like photo and art submissions
- Library may be able to secure additional funding through grants for an addition of books and resources for students to take advantage of
- Have a plan to spread out programming throughout the month
- Allow flexibility for various departments and campus partners to get as creative as they want with promoting the initiatives as the goal is to involve as many people as possible
- If possible, provide a list of videos/resources that could be repurposed and shared throughout the year. For example, career workshop content like a panel discussion or podcasts that can be shared again.
- Consider requesting classroom and banquet room space for specific events through the
25 Live Scheduling Platform
- Students and organizations should consider following these guidelines and logistics for reserving space on campus
1 Month in Advance:
- Notify Public Safety by completing the event request form of any large event to ensure proper staffing and notification
- For any technology and equipment needs, you can request them through Informational Technology and their Media Support Form
- If you are expecting guests as part of your program who require internet access, they can request Guest Internet Access
- Encourage heritage month kick off plans
2 Weeks in Advance:
- If the event requires any food orders be sure to order food through Gourmet Dining Services in advance. Order placed within 48 hours of the event will not be completed.
- Appoint a "day of contact person"
- Host preparation calls or send out communication to ensure event coordination
Day before event:
- Ensure catering order is accurate
- Call vendors and confirm orders
Day of event needs:
- Ensure event space is set up to meet your needs
- Ensure catering order is delivered
- IT Services Event Support
Additional Event Resources:
- Ensure programming, if in-person, is accessible in-person and virtually. The Office of Disability Support Services can provide assistance.
- Event Promotion One Sheet
- University Events Final Event Day of Checklist
- Student Organization Event Planning Outline
- Planning Guide by Seton Hall Law School