Priorities:Southern Illinois University Student Priorities

Project pitch video

Fall 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpCeZNguC9I

Spring 2016

Spring 2015

OVERVIEW

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is in need of a little push towards the communal adoption of I&E. While our resources are tangible, they are vastly underutlized. It is our responsibility and intention as University Innovation Fellows to address the problem head on and with conviction. After several years of ineffective marketing attempts at the student level, it is apparent that a more proactive approach toward resource utilization needs to made. This why we are beginning to look at how SIU and other universities must adapt from outputing students under the Industrial model to fostering growth in students for the Information Age.

CALLING ALL STUDENTS

Saluki Entrepreneur Corps Meetings - Wednesdays 6-8pm at the Dunn Richmond Center (1740 Innovation Dr.)

STRATEGY #1 - CREATE A MARKET DEMAND FOR THE I&E RESOURCES ALREADY AVAILABLE TO SIU STUDENTS

Tactic #1 - Host Innovation and Entrepreneurship Collaboration Activities

Description:

Implement marketing events at this facility to demonstrate the power of possibilities when given the right tools. We need to inspire creative thinking in our students by surrounding them with a creative environment. Events will include Maker's Space projects, departmental think tanks, crowdfunding workshops, student organization meetings/events and much much more. 

Team Leader:

Brandon Nolte

Milestones:

TBD

Tactic #2 - Open Up Dialogue Between Colleges via Resource Network

Description:

All too often we witness the spark in a students eye when they first realize how conceivable their bright new idea really is when they consider working with other College departments. However, more times than not, without a direct connection to desired college it can be difficult and frustrating to assemble a team. Simply cold calling a department phone number or emailing a student club should not be the only option. We propose to create comprehensive database network of involved innovators across all major departments in the univeristy. Not a directory, a network. These voluntary contacts on this database will be predetermined ambassadors of their department or group who give their permission to be contacted by fellow student innovators in search of knowledge specific to their venture. Opening up dialogue between departments for reasons outside of the classroom is a great way to collaborate on ideas. 

Team Leader:

TBD

Milestones:

TBD

Strategy #2 - Work with University Administrators, Faculty, and Students to create a core curriculm fit for the Information Age.

Tactic #1 - Research, Design, and Implement classes and classrooms that foster Innovation, Creativity, and Engagement with real world problems.

Description:

Makerspaces, clubs, research, and guest speakers are all great things that can add to the Innovative and Entrepreneurial environment on a college campus. However, the major determining factor for the quality of the education a student recieves is the core curriculum taught in every area of the university. By creating a future Design of what Southern Illinois University might look like, if I&E were the inspiration, SIU can begin to Implement changes in the classroom now. This includes two major changes to the current curriculum. #1 We need to go from teaching a tool based approach to teaching from a problem or goal based approach that directly engages students with a challenge. For example to learn about engines under the current model students must learn about all the tools, nuts, and bolts 1st before ever touching an engine. Under a problem based approach students are engaged with the challenge of fixing or building an engine from day 1 and they learn about the tools they need through trial and error. This process more directly engages students in critical thinking. The 2nd change that needs to occur in SIU's curriculm is to begin combining the Arts and Engineering. This does exist in a few areas on campus but the core curriculm doesn't address this need. All the great achievements of human civilization, such as the Pantheon in Rome, were built with Art, Design, and Engineering in total collaboration yet the Industrial model of most universities including SIU doesn't yet reflect this. Instead engineers and scientists are in one building and artists and designers in another, often never crossing eachothers' path inside a classroom. It's time to make a change.

Team Leader:

Dan Bach

Milestones:

TBD

Tactic #2 - Module Learning Classes for  Hands on Innovation Learning

Description: 

In the Fall of 2014 the Saluki Entrepreneur Corps produced and executed their first Business Start Up Module which had approximately 10 graduates who recieved certificates as Business Consultant Assistance.  This success in a small size allows the same model be applied to other discplines for similar exercies to give participants a better understanding of the need to be fully aware of the disciplines that they could work with in the future for a possible start-up.  

Team Leader: 

TBD

Milestones: 

Finished our learning class in the Fall of 2014

Strategy #3 - Join the Small Innovation Spaces on Campus Into a Large Campus Makerspace.

Tactic #1 - Get people thinking about the idea.

Description: 

Go around to all of the individual, design-based programs at the school. Introduce them to UIF, and talk to them about the benefits of pooling our resources as a campus into one large-scale Makerspace. Talk to program leaders, Deans, professors, and supportive alumni. Get the word out about what we're doing, and brainstorm ways to achieve it.  

Team Leader:

Thomas Birch

Milestones:

- Make a list of relevant programs/people to talk to

- Schedule discussions and presentations

- Get ideas and support for this project

Tactic #2 - Collect information about people and resources

Description:

Make a comprehensive list of the various resources that could be together in the Makerspace. For example, our campus has a small Makerspace group, a robotics club, and a Business Incubator. This will help us decide how the space will be organized to reflect the needs of the various groups using it.  

Team Leader:

Thomas Birch

Milestones:

- Making a comprehensive list of the resources and innovation groups on campus

Tactic #3 - Make plans to build the Makerspace

Description:

This will probably be the most challenging part of the project. We will need to find a location, figure out funding, get various permissions from the university, and get actual support and permission from the university. We will most likely try to use an existing building, as there is already limited space on campus for a new building.  

Team Leader:

Thomas Birch

Milestones:

- Present plan to heads of University

- Acquire funding/support

- Work with contractors to modify/build space

- Acquire materials to fill space with

Tactic #4 - Utilize the Makerspace, and let it be used by students from every field

Description:

Once the Makerspace is built, we need people to use it! The space will have spots where programs that were using their own spaces will be able to meet, and the space will have regular events. We also plan on trying to have classes centered around innovation to take place in the Makerspace.  

Team Leader:

Thomas Birch

Milestones:

- Regular planned events at the Makerspace

- RSO's meet and use the Makerspace

- Makerspace is well-maintained

Strategy #1 - Improve homelessness situation in Carbondale

Tactic #1 - Talk with city officials to incorporate more community projects around town

Description: Work on setting up more activities around Carbondale that provide jobs to people. Open programs that improve environment and city infastructure.

Team Leader: Robert Caswelch

Milestones:

-Contact city council about expanded workforce jobs around campus.

Tactic #2 - Work with students and faculty to tackle issues regarding poverty

Description: Student engagement could be improved on campus, so making a class project to improve living conditions in Carbondale could be a drive as it is a real world issue with real world results.

Team Leader:

Milestones:

-Talk with faculty about course curriculum

Tactic #3 - Use school resources to help people find possible work / better living conditions

Description: The library already has a program for helping people in need use resources, but this could be expanded further. Administrators or students in specific majors could meet and help people around the city of Carbondale to set goals. Setting up booths at fairs is an example of ways to reach out to the community in the city.

Team Leader: Robert Caswelch

Milestones:

-Set up booth at fair (farmers market)

Strategy #2 - Tackle Social Justice in Carbondale

Tactic #1: Meet with resource centers/housing about how to develop a strong training

Description: Reach out to multiple resource centers on campus as well as housing. Possibly reach out to people that have created the Consent and Respect training that aims to educate students on sexual assault.

Team Leader: Mary McGee

Milestones: N/A

Find and contact staff by December.

Tactic #2: Conduct interviews with students to see how they have been affected by discrimination, oppression, etc.

Description: Meet with students from all walks of life, majors, races, sexualities, etc and talk about their unique experiences.

Team Leader: Mary McGee

Milestones: N/A

Find and meet with students and faculty by January

Tactic #3: Partner with organizations on campus

Description: Develop a sense of where all the resources are and then contact each one of them to see if they are interested in working with me.

Team Leader: Mary McGee

Milestones: N/A

Develop a solid plan by February

Tactic #4: Develop the training and deliver

Description: Create a basis of what I want in the training, who should be a part of it, and how I will follow through with this training.

Team Leader: Mary McGee

Milestones: N/A

Develop a solid program by March or April so that I can start implementing for the summer.

Related Links

Southern Illinois University

"Southern Illinois University Student Priorities|Souther Illinois University Student Priorities"

University Innovation Fellows

Spring 2016:

Mara Decker

Deborrius Jeffries

Trevor Jones

Asia Lee

Fall of 2015:

Dan Bach

Thomas Birch

Spring 2015:

Alex Hutchinson

Brandon Nolte

Katie Dzugan