There are several ways to be a part of IU Indianapolis’s homecoming event. You can apply to be on Regatta Royalty for a chance at a scholarship, sign up your pup for the Dog Costume Contest, volunteer for academic credit, or be a part of the general board. New involvement opportunities will be listed below as they are available.
Get involved in the Regatta
Apply for the 2026 Regatta Steering Committee
Help shape on of the most iconic events at IU Indy! The Regatta Steering Committee is looking for student leaders to plan and execute this unforgettable tradition. Applications close on Friday, January 16 at noon.
Responsibilities and commitment
- It is an expectation of all committee members to be a part of the team for 10 months (January–end of October).
- Attend required bi-weekly meetings throughout the spring semester and summer, and weekly committee meetings beginning in August leading up to Regatta.
- Maintain a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Complete a certain number of volunteer hours outside of their position descriptions to help advance the event (e.g., tabling).
- Be aware that all committee members work together as a team and overlap in their responsibilities for the entire year's process.
Your responsibilities may not be limited to the following descriptions, as Regatta is continually growing and changing.
Executive Board position descriptions
- Oversees all event external logistics to include the festival, stage, food trucks, and Regatta Royalty.
- Oversees and advises the Director of Festival, Coordinator of Contests, and Coordinator of Traditions.
- Works with the Executive Director to create the event layout.
- Creates event setup and teardown plans.
- Works closely with the executive board and the advisor to oversee the work of the entire committee and maintain progress.
- Upholds exemplary levels of communication with all team members, executive board, and advisor.
- Develops and adheres to various calendar benchmarks for meeting with directors and coordinators to ensure team progress.
- Must have previously held a position on the Regatta Steering Committee for at least one year; or served in a leadership role of a student organization on campus with relatable experience; or served as a Regatta general board member or volunteered at a past Regatta.
- Must be knowledgeable on aspects of the Regatta and willing to devote a large amount of time to the planning of this campus tradition.
- In addition to the responsibilities and commitments listed above, executive board members will also:
- Be enrolled as an Indiana University Indianapolis student for the duration of their tenure in the position.
- Are expected to be a part of the team for 12 months (November–October).
- Develops and updates a marketing plan (including strategy, goals, and tactics).
- Oversees maintenance of the Regatta Steering Committee website, The Spot page, and active social media accounts.
- Serves as the official spokesperson for Regatta.
- Collaborates with the Student Affairs Marketing and Communications team on the official shirt, sponsorship graphics, and promotional items.
- Works collaboratively with the AED of Administration to successfully execute assets of sponsorship packages from a marketing standpoint.
- Oversees and advises the Director of Public Relations and Coordinator of Social Media.
- Must have previously held a position on the Regatta Steering Committee for at least one year; or served in a leadership role of a student organization on campus with relatable experience; or served as a Regatta general board member or volunteered at a past Regatta
- Must be knowledgeable on aspects of the Regatta and willing to devote a large amount of time to the planning of this campus tradition.
- In addition to the responsibilities and commitments listed above, Executive Board members will also:
- Be enrolled as an Indiana University Indianapolis student for the duration of their tenure in the position.
- Are expected to be a part of the team for 12 months (November–October).
Steering Committee position descriptions
- Directs and oversees the Coordinator of Sponsorship Operations.
- Identifies and secures financial sponsorships from external sponsors and coordinates on-campus offices and academic school partnerships.
- Corresponds with internal partners throughout the entire planning process.
- Ensures all agreements with internal partners are upheld.
- Coordinates the placement of internal partners in the Oar Partners area for the day of Regatta
- Serves as sponsor point of contact at the event.
- Directs and oversees the Coordinator of Social Media and Design.
- Works with the Multimedia Production Center, outside companies, and news media (including media sponsors) to further promote the Regatta both across campus and around the Indianapolis community.
- Develops and updates a communications plan (including strategy, goals, and tactics).
- Creates content for press releases, articles, and presentations for both internal and external use.
- Ensures all marketing language and design is consistent and assists in building brand awareness for Regatta.
- Works to develop good community relations.
- Manages the online volunteer registration process with assistance from the Division of Student Affairs.
- Creates a volunteer schedule based on volunteers’ chosen shifts.
- Acts as a liaison with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and athlete participation during Regatta.
- Develops efficient communication methods and incentives for volunteers.
- Schedules, updates, and leads the volunteer orientations.
- Directs all volunteers the day of setup and race day.
- Oversees all race-related activities throughout the year and during the event.
- Organizes team member orientation.
- Plans and oversees team practice day(s).
- Reviews, updates, and publishes the official race rules packet for the Regatta.
- Directs and oversees the Coordinator of Contests and the Coordinator of Traditions.
- Secures festival entertainment for the event.
- Corresponds with entertainment vendors throughout the entire planning process.
- Oversees the entire festival area during Regatta, including setup and teardown.
- Identifies and secures partners including on-campus offices and academic schools.
- Serves as the liaison to the Alumni Office and associated partners with Regatta Week such as Battleships (Jagathon) and Flick N’ Float (SAPB).
- Submits orders and financial transaction forms for all non-contract purchases.
- Coordinates the placement of the sponsors and partners for the day of Regatta.
- Serves as the main point of contact for internal partners throughout the entire planning process.
- Works with the team to research, employ, and manage all forms of fundraising for the Stefan S. Davis IU Indianapolis Regatta Scholarship fund.
- Develops a Regatta social media plan.
- Manages the official Regatta social media accounts.
- Develops new electronic methods to market the event to the campus and community.
- Works closely with all committee members to develop targeted marketing campaigns.
- Posts and engages on all social media outlets.
- Serves as the main social media correspondent for the day of Regatta.
- Develops and administers initial interest and application process for general board members.
- Conducts interviews and selects suitable candidates for various roles within the general board.
- Handles assignment of general board members for main race day activities.
- Oversees assignment of judges for Regatta events.
- Acts as liaison between Co-directors of Rules and Teams, and Director and Coordinator of Volunteers.
- Ensures effective communication and collaboration among all stakeholders involved in Regatta operations.
- Provides administrative support to Internal Affairs division.
- Manages volunteer registration process and volunteer orientations.
- Develops volunteer schedules and shifts based on committee needs.
- Coordinates all volunteers the day of setup and race day.
- Serves at the committee point of contact at the Command Tent during Regatta.
- Develops the Regatta Court timeline.
- Organizes all aspects of the Regatta Court, including application, interviews, orientation, and selection process.
- Secures materials for the Regatta Court and Regatta Royalty, including crowns, sashes, etc.
- Executes the scholarship paperwork for Regatta Royalty winners.
- Coordinates the appearances of Regatta Court, university mascots, and cheerleaders, and serves as the main contact for IU and IU Indianapolis administrative appearances.
- Organizes the Dog Costume Contest, Tug-of-War, and Cardboard Boat Race.
- Researches and employs contests that add to Regatta festivities.
- Updates registration and rules of existing Regatta contests and assigns prizes for each contest winner.
- Oversees all aspects of Regatta contests.
- Serves as the primary master of ceremonies for contests and race award presentations.