Priorities:North Dakota State University Student Priorities

Overview

Here at North Dakota State Unversity, we are going to develop a community that lays the framework for Innovation & Entreprenearship. Although events, programs, and resouirces are needed for an entprernerial community to flourish, they are not the most important part of the process. The most important part is the community, and we feel the community has not been given enough attention. 

1. Build & Connect the Community

Tactic #1 Hammock Initiative

The best opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation mean nothing if people aren't involved. We feel that to create a community of entrepreneurs we have to first create a community where people can just be people. That is why one of our main priorities is to bring an organization to campus that will host events where all expectations to be innovative or have creative ideas are eliminated. It's called the Hammock Initiative, or Hi for short and its vision is simple.

We want to see people gathered together for the purpose of relaxing, enjoying each other’s company and, literally, hanging out. This vision may not sound audacious or ambitious, and that’s the point. It’s an opportunity for people to be, not do. - @HiFargo

By getting people together to hammock for the sake of just being, we believe natural conversation where ideas and innovation are born will start all on their own. And with how busy people are, I think we can all agree that some time set aside to relax is needed. 

3. Knock Down Barriers

Tactic #1 Engineering wide Lab Access

Students need a work to develop their ideas. The college of Engineering has a number of labs with space, materials and equipment to further these ideas but they are not open to all NDSU students and even other Engineering students. The only way to get into many of the labs is to go in during business hours and be of that particular major. Allowing any Engineering student to access these labs would help provide a starter innovation space and show need for one in the future.

Tactic #1- Develop more connections between various engineering majors (Senior Design, ect) to encourage students not as far in the program to begin working in other labs from an earlier date

Description- Form bonds between all majors under the College of Engineering

Team Leaders

• Univ 189 Professors
• Academic Advisors
• Senior Design Adviors

Milestones

• Convince the Dean of Engineering and department heads that it is beneficial to get outside of their specific major
• Form more interdisciplinary senior designs
• Develop strong ties between majors

Tactic #2 Open up Computer Labs for all majors

Description- Allow key card access to all engineering computer labs by all engineering students

Team Leaders

• Lab Instructors
• IT Department
• UIF Students

Milestones

• Gain computer lab access

Tactic #3 Open up Technical Labs for all majors

Decription- Open technical labs like the IME, ME, EE, AG, and other labs so any Engineering major can enter them

Team Leaders

• Lab Instructors
• Department Heads
• UIF Students
• Students

Milestones

• Allow students to work in labs during business hours (8-5)
• Look into getting off hours lab space for weeknights and weekends for students to get into the current lab

Tactic #2 I&E Whitepages

There is a large number of organizations on and off campus that are beneficial to innovation and entrepreneaurship. NDSU overhauled its organization database recently but it is not all inclusive the and search button does not work like it should. The other issue is that it does not tie into the community. The Fargo/Moorhead area has a strong I&E culture but there is no easy way for students to search and see what is available. 

Goal-Create a wiki-based whitepage style repository of all innovative and entreprenearistic events on campus and in the community. 

Tactic- Create a wiki page for the university organizations

Tactic- Compile a list of current on campus activities and allow students to add or edit activites as needed

Related Links

North Dakota State University

Andrew Dalman