A lively group of people enjoy a feast and music in a garden setting, with a building visible in the background.

Help Us Build a Third Space for Graduate StudentsRight now, there is no central place at UH where graduate students from different departments can regularly meet, relax, and get to know one another. Bottom Shelf is working to create that space. Bottom Shelf is a volunteer-run graduate student speakeasy and registered student organization. We are made up of student leaders from graduate organizations across the university who volunteer their time, complete TABC training, and help run free events. Our events bring together graduate students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and other supporters from across UH. Our long-term goal is to establish a permanent third space near the center of campus where graduate students and their supporters can meet naturally, build friendships, and develop a stronger sense of community across departments. Why We Are Asking for Monthly DonationsWe provide all drinks, including nonalcoholic options, food, and snacks free of charge at our events.We are not permitted to sell alcohol, and we do not want students to have to pay to attend. This means our events depend on university funding, local sponsors, individual donors, and contributions from our own board members. This funding can be unpredictable. Each event has to be submitted through the university funding system, reimbursements can take months, and funding is not guaranteed. The university also does not fund alcoholic beverages or most reusable items.When there is a gap, our board members often cover the costs themselves.A consistent source of monthly funding would allow us to plan further in advance, rely less on board members paying out of pocket, and hold events more regularly. How Much Does a Bottom Shelf Event Cost?A standard Bottom Shelf event costs around $210.Around $100 of that usually goes toward items the university will not fund. We have worked with local breweries and individual donors to reduce those costs, but we normally still need at least $100 in outside support to make an event happen. In total, we typically spend around $4&ndash;5 per student.Our events are relatively inexpensive, but they require steady funding and a lot of volunteer work to keep going.What Would My Donation Support?Monthly donations would help us:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Continue holding free events for graduate students</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Move from monthly events toward more frequent events</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover food, drinks, and supplies the university will not fund</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover TABC training for future volunteer bartenders</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Purchase reusable tables, chairs, and event equipment</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Purchase sound equipment for open-mic nights and other programming</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cover future permits and administrative costs</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Build toward a permanent Bottom Shelf space on campus</li></ul>Even a small monthly donation would give us a reliable baseline to plan around. How Do We Thank Our Supporters?Supporters may choose to have their names added to our donor wall.We may also provide Bottom Shelf merchandise, personalized gifts, or 3D-printed memorabilia as a thank-you for continued support.Donations do not purchase admission, drinks, or special access. Our events remain free for members of the university community.By supporting Bottom Shelf, you are helping us create a place where graduate students can meet outside their departments and feel more connected to the wider university.

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our cause. This donation greatly helps our mission. If you would like to contribute further to our cause, contact us to become a volunteer, or spread the word about our mission! Bottom Shelfshelf@cougarnet.uh.edu

Help Us Build a Third Space for Graduate StudentsRight now, there is no central place at UH where graduate students from different departments can regularly meet, relax, and get to know one another. Bottom Shelf is working to create that space. Bottom Shelf is a volunteer-run graduate student speakeasy and registered student organization. We are made up of student leaders from graduate organizations across the university who volunteer their time, complete TABC training, and help run free events. Our events bring together graduate students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and other supporters from across UH. Our long-term goal is to establish a permanent third space near the center of campus where graduate students and their supporters can meet naturally, build friendships, and develop a stronger sense of community across departments. Why We Are Asking for Monthly DonationsWe provide all drinks, including nonalcoholic options, food, and snacks free of charge at our events.We are not permitted to sell alcohol, and we do not want students to have to pay to attend. This means our events depend on university funding, local sponsors, individual donors, and contributions from our own board members. This funding can be unpredictable. Each event has to be submitted through the university funding system, reimbursements can take months, and funding is not guaranteed. The university also does not fund alcoholic beverages or most reusable items.When there is a gap, our board members often cover the costs themselves.A consistent source of monthly funding would allow us to plan further in advance, rely less on board members paying out of pocket, and hold events more regularly. How Much Does a Bottom Shelf Event Cost?A standard Bottom Shelf event costs around $210.Around $100 of that usually goes toward items the university will not fund. We have worked with local breweries and individual donors to reduce those costs, but we normally still need at least $100 in outside support to make an event happen. In total, we typically spend around $4–5 per student.Our events are relatively inexpensive, but they require steady funding and a lot of volunteer work to keep going.What Would My Donation Support?Monthly donations would help us:<ul><li>Continue holding free events for graduate students</li><li>Move from monthly events toward more frequent events</li><li>Cover food, drinks, and supplies the university will not fund</li><li>Cover TABC training for future volunteer bartenders</li><li>Purchase reusable tables, chairs, and event equipment</li><li>Purchase sound equipment for open-mic nights and other programming</li><li>Cover future permits and administrative costs</li><li>Build toward a permanent Bottom Shelf space on campus</li></ul>Even a small monthly donation would give us a reliable baseline to plan around. How Do We Thank Our Supporters?Supporters may choose to have their names added to our donor wall.We may also provide Bottom Shelf merchandise, personalized gifts, or 3D-printed memorabilia as a thank-you for continued support.Donations do not purchase admission, drinks, or special access. Our events remain free for members of the university community.By supporting Bottom Shelf, you are helping us create a place where graduate students can meet outside their departments and feel more connected to the wider university.

Build a Third Space For Graduate Students

Bottom Shelf une a las personas a trav&eacute;s de eventos comunitarios creativos y accesibles. Su apoyo recurrente nos ayuda a cubrir suministros, espacio, comida y otros costos para que podamos mantener los eventos asequibles y acogedores para todos.

Hola <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">Nombre, Muchas gracias de todo coraz&oacute;n por apoyar nuestra causa. Esta donaci&oacute;n ayuda enormemente a nuestra misi&oacute;n. Si deseas contribuir m&aacute;s a nuestra causa, cont&aacute;ctanos para ser voluntario, &iexcl;o corre la voz sobre nuestra misi&oacute;n! Estante inferiorshelf@cougarnet.uh.edu

Bottom Shelf une a las personas a través de eventos comunitarios creativos y accesibles. Su apoyo recurrente nos ayuda a cubrir suministros, espacio, comida y otros costos para que podamos mantener los eventos asequibles y acogedores para todos.

ES

Bottom Shelf

Build a Third Space For Graduate Students

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