Priorities:Baylor University Student Priorities
Revision as of 22:29, 30 September 2025 by Chloe mccauley1 (talk | contribs) (→Project 1: Creating an Active Campus)
Contents
Baylor 2025 Cohort
Project 1: Creating an Active Campus
Timeline: 2 years
Project Lead: Chloe McCauley
Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
- Assess campus mobility patterns & build stakeholder buy-in. Action Steps:
- Conduct parking usage audits (time of day, occupancy, congestion points).
- Launch student and faculty surveys on transportation habits (parking reliance, walk/bike use, shuttle needs).
- Hold town halls with faculty/students for feedback and transparency.
- Benchmark against European city models (Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Barcelona) for walkability/bike-first practices.
Summer 2026
- Design alternatives to parking congestion & map “desire paths.” Action Steps:
- Use heat-mapping / pedestrian tracking to identify high-traffic walking routes where students already cut across campus.
- Collaborate with landscape architects to design paved pedestrian/bike paths along these routes.
- Identify potential shuttle/bike-share drop-off hubs.
- Model reduction in carbon emissions & cost savings (car vs. walk/bike/shuttle).
Fall 2026 – Spring 2027
- Pilot mobility & infrastructure improvements. Action Steps:
- Launch one or two pilot paved pathways along high-traffic routes.
- Install temporary bike lanes and secure racks near classroom buildings.
- Test shuttle service adjustments to reduce need for central parking.
- Run campus-wide campaign to encourage “ditch the car” days.
Summer 2027 – Fall 2027
- Scale and institutionalize. Action Steps:
- Expand successful paved paths and pedestrian-only zones.
- Reallocate some parking areas for green space, bike infrastructure, or shuttle hubs.
- Secure permanent funding through facilities, sustainability grants, and alumni donations.
- Measure success (parking demand reduction, path usage, emissions impact, student/faculty satisfaction).
Timeline: 2.5 years
Project Lead: Abbie Green
Key Tactics with Approximate Timing:
Spring 2026
1. Asset student interest, build support, and buy in.
Action Steps:
- Collaborate with Baylor Lariat and pitch idea to send students surveys to determine student interest and gather data.
- Determine most cost-efficient equipment and area on campus 1) high student traffic 2) available space 3) faculty permissibility
Summer 2026
2. Research and identify other places with active learning environment and prepare a grander launch of active spaces on campus
Action Steps:
- Continue to meet with stakeholders and update them on student engagement and further funding needed
Fall 26 – Spring 27
3. Increase implementation proportionately based on student engagement throughout the semester
Action Steps:
- Target moody library active group study spaces, foster team rooms and, the science building’s study rooms.
- Expand activity within professor offices like standing desks, walking pads, mini biking stations based on professor preference.
- Update stakeholders on full roll out and encourage more permanent implementation in Baylor 2029 remodel
Summer 2027
4. Collaborate with Baylor remodel and create plans for a new building centered on active learning
Action Steps:
- Brainstorm with stakeholders’ feasible methods to test use of building and funding
- Understand barriers and prepare for testing separate building in fall
Fall 2027
5. Test student engagement with separate building during finals week and excite students about official rollout next year
Action Steps:
- Coordinate weeks throughout the semester for active learning tents.
- Enjoy outside, exercise while studying for exams
Spring 2028
6. Final preparation for launch planning logistics.
Action Steps:
- Create a curriculum for students to understand there learning style and give them access to rooms suitable for that
- Encourage research and incentivize involvement
- Change the culture of academic success at Baylor. Create well rounded student who not only are about their mind but of their bodies too!
Project 2: Promoting a Sustainable Cross Campus Culture
Timeline: 1-2 years
Project Lead: Naina Uppal
Key Tactics:
- Create a marketplace for students to buy and sell items
- Action Steps:
- Collaborate with computer science and graphic design students to create a marketplace platforms
- Conduct student surveys to find appropriate categories of items that they would be will to buy and sell and appropriate price caps per category
- Work with faculty to gain access to Baylor branding and funding to get app running
- Action Steps:
- Incorporate marketplace platform into Baylor Student Culture
- Action Steps:
- Promote app using help of Office of Student Engagement
- Present app during Orientation along with other Baylor recommended apps for freshman
- Advertise app heavily on social media, on campus, and using Baylor Lariat
- Collaborate with Residence Halls on campus, having community leaders promote the marketplace during move-in and move-out as an alternative to buying or throwing away items
- Action Steps:
- Promote student connection
- Action Steps:
- students engage with people campus wide while exchanging items and participating in sustainable shopping, limiting the amount of waste on campus as well as limiting the amount of new items brought into circulation
- students engage with people campus wide while exchanging items and participating in sustainable shopping, limiting the amount of waste on campus as well as limiting the amount of new items brought into circulation
- Action Steps:
Baylor 2024 Cohort
Project 1: Establishing a Campus-wide Sustainability Initiative
Timeline: 2-3 Years
Project Lead: Ethan
Key Tactics:
- Implement Comprehensive Recycling and Composting Programs
- Action Steps:
- Evaluate current waste management practices and identify gaps in recycling and composting availability on campus.
- Roll out enhanced recycling stations and compost bins across campus buildings and dining facilities.
- Develop an awareness campaign to educate students and staff about proper recycling and composting practices.
- Review: Consult with Facilities Department and sustainability advisors for feasibility and logistics.
- Action Steps:
- Set Up Garden/Program to Donate Compost
- Action Steps:
- Identify a location on campus to create a garden or establish partnerships with local gardens for compost donation.
- Partner with Dining Services to ensure food waste is appropriately composted and utilized for the garden.
- Organize volunteer programs where students can participate in gardening and sustainability initiatives.
- Review: Work with campus agriculture experts and local environmental groups to refine the program.
- Action Steps:
- Partner with Local and Global Organizations for Environmental Research
- Action Steps:
- Identify key environmental challenges that align with Baylor’s sustainability goals (e.g., water conservation, renewable energy).
- Build relationships with local and global organizations to collaborate on research and solutions.
- Explore opportunities for student internships or research placements with these partner organizations.
- Review: Engage with faculty in environmental science and sustainability to ensure alignment with academic goals.
- Action Steps:
- Utilize AI to Sort Food Waste at Baylor
- Action Steps:
- Partner with the computer science department to develop or adapt AI technology for sorting and managing food waste.
- Pilot AI-powered waste sorting systems in campus dining halls to improve waste separation and recycling.
- Monitor data from AI systems to track food waste reduction and efficiency.
- Review: Collaborate with technology and sustainability experts to ensure AI implementation is effective and scalable.
- Action Steps:
Project 2: Enhancing Professional Development in the Computer Science Department
Timeline: 1-2 Years
Project Lead: Carter Lewis
Key Tactics:
- Foster Professional Student Organizations
- Action Steps:
- Strengthen and promote existing student organizations within the Computer Science department (e.g., ACM, Women in Tech).
- Encourage regular networking events, tech talks, and panels featuring industry professionals.
- Create mentorship programs pairing upper-level students with underclassmen for professional development.
- Review: Coordinate with department faculty and career services to ensure alignment with career-building objectives.
- Action Steps:
- Provide Practical Job and Internship Search Guidance
- Action Steps:
- Organize workshops focusing on resume building, LinkedIn optimization, and interview preparation specific to the tech industry.
- Create a dedicated online portal with job and internship listings in partnership with companies actively recruiting from Baylor.
- Hold mock interview sessions and offer career counseling services tailored to Computer Science students.
- Review: Partner with Baylor Career Center and alumni network to maximize student placement in internships and jobs.
- Action Steps:
- Increase Opportunities for Practical Experience
- Action Steps:
- Organize coding competitions, hackathons, and project-based challenges to give students hands-on experience solving real-world problems.
- Facilitate team-based projects in collaboration with local businesses or nonprofits, allowing students to work on real development tasks.
- Offer course credit or certifications for participation in coding competitions and community projects.
- Review: Engage faculty to integrate competitions and real-world projects into the curriculum as co-curricular activities.
- Action Steps:
- Help Students Create Standout Project Portfolios
- Action Steps:
- Provide workshops on developing personal portfolios showcasing key coding projects, internships, and practical experiences.
- Encourage students to contribute to open-source projects or develop their own software applications to include in their portfolios.
- Offer one-on-one portfolio reviews and critiques by faculty and industry professionals to help students refine their work.
- Review: Work with tech professionals and alumni to ensure portfolios align with industry standards and expectations.
- Action Steps:
Project 3: AI Adoption at Baylor
Timeline: 3-5 Years
Project Lead: Warren Huang
Key Tactics:
- Host Joint AI Hackathon with Tech Tree Root
- Action Steps:
- Partner with Tech Tree Root to organize a large-scale AI-focused hackathon open to students from Baylor and other institutions.
- Secure sponsorships from tech companies and AI industry leaders to provide prizes and mentorship for participating students.
- Encourage interdisciplinary participation by promoting the event to students from computer science, engineering, business, and other relevant fields.
- Review: Collaborate with faculty advisors and Tech Tree Root representatives to ensure the hackathon aligns with Baylor’s educational goals and AI adoption vision.
- Action Steps:
- Establish a Student AI Representative Role
- Action Steps:
- Create a formal position for a student AI representative who will act as a liaison between students, faculty, and administration on AI initiatives and integration.
- Define the responsibilities of the role, including contributing to AI curriculum development, organizing AI-related events, and gathering student input on AI adoption.
- Ensure the student representative works closely with the Computer Science department and Baylor's AI research initiatives to foster collaboration.
- Review: Obtain approval from university leadership and faculty, ensuring the role has a clear mandate and support across departments.
- Action Steps:
- AI Integration Across Campus to Enhance Student Opportunities
- Action Steps:
- Assess areas where AI can be integrated into academic programs, research opportunities, and campus operations (e.g., smart campus technologies, AI-driven tutoring systems).
- Develop partnerships with AI companies and organizations to provide internships, mentorships, and real-world AI project experience for students.
- Pilot AI-driven solutions in key areas such as admissions, student services, and sustainability, then expand successful initiatives.
- Review: Engage with university administrators, faculty, and tech partners to ensure AI integration aligns with Baylor’s mission and enhances student learning and career prospects.
- Action Steps:
Project 4: Community Immersion and Experience
Timeline: 2-3 Years
Project Lead: Spencer Yim
Key Tactics:
- Provide In-depth Immersion into Diverse American Communities
- Action Steps:
- Organize trips and immersive experiences for students to engage with diverse communities across the U.S., focusing on cultural, social, and economic diversity.
- Partner with community organizations, nonprofits, and local leaders to provide hands-on learning and service opportunities.
- Develop reflective components, such as journaling or group discussions, to help students process and learn from their experiences.
- Review: Collaborate with faculty and community organizations to ensure meaningful engagement and learning outcomes.
- Action Steps:
- Develop a Welcome Week-Style Curriculum and Experience for First-Year Students
- Action Steps:
- Create an immersive curriculum designed to introduce first-year students to diverse communities and the importance of community engagement.
- Incorporate service projects, cultural immersion activities, and workshops on diversity and inclusion into the curriculum.
- Provide mentorship opportunities where upperclassmen guide first-year students through their immersion experience.
- Review: Work with student life and academic advisors to align the curriculum with Baylor’s values and first-year student programs.
- Action Steps:
- Integrate Learning at Baylor with Worldwide and Community-Based Service
- Action Steps:
- Expand opportunities for students to participate in service-learning programs both locally and internationally, aligning with their academic studies.
- Partner with global and community-based organizations to provide internships, service opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge with real-world impact.
- Encourage faculty to incorporate community-based projects and service components into their course syllabi to further link learning with service.
- Review: Coordinate with Baylor’s service-learning office and global engagement team to identify potential partners and ensure integration with academic programs.
- Action Steps:
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