Difference between revisions of "Priorities:University of California Merced Student Priorities"
| Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
== Entrepreneurship Research Institute == | == Entrepreneurship Research Institute == | ||
| + | |||
| + | The E&J Gallo Management Program is currently proposing the founding of a Entrepreneurship Research Institute. In the future, this would encompass a physical building on campus where faculty researchers can study the development of innovation within the Central Valley and analyze the economic impact of UC Merced on the surrounding community. However, this Institute is still in proposal form and will likely require a strong industry partner in order to secure funding from the UC system. Thus, this will probably be a long term goal for the Leadership Circle and not something that can be accomplished with 1-2 years. | ||
== Incubator == | == Incubator == | ||
Revision as of 04:28, 6 April 2014
Overview
The University of California, Merced has an unprecedented opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation in California's Central Valley. As most of the campus has yet to be built, UC Merced has the physical space necessary to facilitate a variety of programs in the interest of progressing entrepreneurial spirit on campus, whether that be new research centers, maker spaces, or incubators. Whatever the future holds, the newest University of California campus already hosts forward-thinking programs to encourage its own environmental sustainability and the surrounding region's economic development. UC Merced's faculty and administration actively enact participate in various strategies in pursuit of these goals, including the Pathways to Innovation program, and its dedication to environmental sustainability in ensuring its buildings are LEED certified. UC Merced’s Leadership Circle has determined the following strategies to be top priorities for growth of UC Merced's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the future.
Student Pitch
Strategies
ESL Curriculum/Innovate to Grow
The Foster Family Center for Engineering Service Learning program (ESL) currently hosts skills sessions that mostly support engineering students, e.g. CAD, Content Managment Systems, etc. What can be attained in the near future is the integration of entrepreneurial skills sessions that would allow the mostly engineering participants within ESL to gain skills that they wouldn't otherwise attain in their other coursework, for example:
- Project Management
- Rapid Prototyping and Brainstorming techniques
- Pitch Development
- Intellectual Property
- Business Plan
- Organizational Strategy
This additional coursework can be constructed through coordination with professors from UC Merced's Management Program. The professors with the most background in the entrepreneurship field are Dr. S.A. Davis and Dr. Theofanis Tsoulouhas. With their support, entrepreneurial skills sessions can be successfully created and implemented within two semesters, pending administrative approval. The Director of ESL, Christopher Butler, has already expressed his support for incorporating new sessions, after a concreate plan has been developed. Eventually, these skills sessions can be used to supplement the Innovate to Grow design competition, which overall encompasses not only ESL, but also the Innovation Design Clinic (Capstone), and the Mobile App Challenge. Students would have the option to attend these skills sessions which would aid their pitches during the competition, but more importantly, would supplement their overall skills within their tenure at UC Merced.
Maker Space
Betaversity Beta Box
Betaversity has already worked with a UC Merced sister school, UC Davis. It has set precedent for working with the University of California system, and more beneficially, can provide a Beta Box. Beta Boxes are storage containers that have been modified to be self-contained maker labs in themselves. A Beta Box creates several solutions for bringing a maker space to UC Merced:
- Customizable
- Easily implementable
- Addresses limited space concerns
Beta Boxes are customizable to the space that they are in, and can be adjusted to fit the specific needs of UC Merced's campus. Because they have been pre-built and exist in standalone containers, they are also easily implementable and can be introduced immediately. Finally, Beta Boxes address limited space concerns in that no new buildings or existing space needs to be built in order to implement. Regardless of whether UC Merced chooses to utilize the Beta Box, Betaversity will be an invaluable resource for developing UC Merced's maker space.
Modify Existing Space
Currently a space with similar goals of encouraging innovation exists on UC Merced's campus, and that is the Engineering Service Learning lab. However, it is only open to students currently enrolled in ESL. This lab could be modified to incorporate more of the features typical for maker spaces including simple arts and crafts supplies, and welcoming the rest of the campus to use the lab through various events, which will be mentioned below. If open to the student body at large, the lab would allow students to have a common meeting place to work on creating, designing, etc.
Other space remains seasonally unused, for example, the art spaces in the Social Sciences and Management building. Although sometimes occupied, this space is mostly unused and sits empty until the faculty currently in charge decide to display art. This gallery space is easily accessible on the first floor of the building and would be an ideal location to modify to establish a maker's space.
Integrate Maker Space into New Buildings
The last option for the implementation of a maker's space is to find a way to incorporate its design into future buildings that the administration is planning to build on campus. This is likely the most long-term option of the three but can also be the most feasible as it would allow for the consultation of Betaversity to help design and budget the integration of a maker space. It would also allow for more planning to occur as well as the opportunity for funding specific to this end. However, funding is limited for even the planned expansion of the UC Merced campus and even then, is not even secured for the existing buildings the administration is planning to build.
UC Merced Leadership Circle
Although it is currently limited to the current fellowship candidates, some leadership members of engineering/business club organizations, and several faculty members, there is no reason for the eventual leadership circle at UC Merced to be as inclusive as possible in the future. Students with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship should be identified and encouraged to join the leadership circle. Eventually, the leadership circle should work to become a registered club organization where it can solicit funding for the student government of UC Merced and cooperate across clubs to facilitate large-scale events for the student body at large. It will combine all of the efforts of the individual organizations within to accomplish large events. The leadership circle should continue to meet at least monthly or every other week, incorporating all of the student leaders from clubs as well as faculty from various departments. It will eventually also incorporate the Pathways to Innovation faculty members.
Events
Entrepreneurship Research Institute
The E&J Gallo Management Program is currently proposing the founding of a Entrepreneurship Research Institute. In the future, this would encompass a physical building on campus where faculty researchers can study the development of innovation within the Central Valley and analyze the economic impact of UC Merced on the surrounding community. However, this Institute is still in proposal form and will likely require a strong industry partner in order to secure funding from the UC system. Thus, this will probably be a long term goal for the Leadership Circle and not something that can be accomplished with 1-2 years.
