Priorities:Southern Illinois University Student Priorities

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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.


Contents

Project Pitch Videos

Fall 2021

[[1]]

Fall 2019

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

Spring 2016

Spring 2015

Fall 2022 Student Strategies

Prototype 1: Online Learning Resource for SIU Courses in Mathematics

  • Problem:
    • Through our interviews with students, we found that many are struggling in the math courses which are either required by their major or by the general education curriculum. While SIU currently offers a variety of tutoring resources for students to get help with such courses, all of the opportunities currently available are either prescheduled or by appointment. For many students with other academic or non-academic obligations, it can be difficult to access these resources and find room for them within an already full schedule.
  • Prototyped Solution:
    • Develop a website available to students 24/7 with student-generated resources to provide supplemental learning opportunities for students who are struggling with their math courses.
    • Present content using both videos and articles as an attempt to appeal to a variety of learning styles.
    • Collaborate with professors to ensure any posted content is accurate and to determine where students seem to be struggling most in order to prioritize the order of content creation.
    • Compile lists of other external resources that math students have previously found to be helpful in learning the content for the course.


Prototype 2: Mental Health Training in Classrooms

  • Problem:
    • Through speaking with students who are struggling with their mental health. Many of them approached me with the concern of not being aware of the mental health resources on campus. Also, many who would like to access counselling resources, have been informed that their sessions would be recorded, which results in some discomfort for some students.
  • Prototyped Solutions:
    • Create mental health training courses for both faculty and students to better understand how to tackle mental health issues amongst college students
    • Create a Q&A session amongst panelist to allow inquiries and conversation on how to better serve students

Collaborate with CAPS and Dean of Students to create socio-emotional learning platforms

Prototype 3: Raising Awareness for Learning Disability Resources on Campus

  • Problem:
    • Through my research on the resources on campus for students with learning difficulties, I discovered that there are many available resources, but students are usually not taking advantage of them because they are unaware of it and/or its benefits. 
  • Prototyped Solutions:
    • Encourage the creation of more location(s) on campus where students can get timely, and easy access to resources offered by counseling and psychological services (CAPS) and Disability support services (DSS).
    • Encourage professors and teaching assistant (TAs) to identify struggling students in class and match them with resources helpful for their education.
    • Publish a broadcast of these learning resources and their uses to students every semester.
    • Encourage more effective student support groups. 

Fall 2021 Student Strategies

Fall 2021 Student Strategies

Problem: 

  • Many individuals on campus lack the transportation necessary to experience and explore the natural beauty that surrounds Carbondale. 

Key Tactics Utilized:

  • Connect students to one another and create a system that transports them to natural settings near campus. 

  • Create a virtual sign-up space to allow students to organize their trips.

  • Advertise this service to allow students to make full use of it. 

  • Poll students for dates and times that would work for them. 


Problem:

  • Hybrid Event spaces are needed now more than ever, but campus currently lacks the resources and organization to make them available to a wide audience. 

Key Tactics Utilized:

  • Be able to connect people virtually and in person.

  • Make eConcerts and eEvents more enjoyable and interactive.

  • Bring a greater attention to events open to students and within the region.

  • Create virtual interaction that feels authentic.

Problem:

  • Students in the area lack a close and affordable recreation area. Students are more stressed than ever and have fewer outlets to relieve stress.

Key Tactics Utilized:

  • Find a way to give students a positive experience with the outdoors and facilities in their area.

  • Create a “Carbondale Getaway”.

  • Bring more money and resources into the Carbondale area.


Fall 2019 Student Strategies

Prototype 1: The Digital Humanities Studio proposed by Benjamin Bradley and Joshua Cannon

  • Problem
    • The Humanities, especially the students of the humanities, are typically distanced from conversations of innovation, and carry a stereotype depicting them as disconnected from the real world, or without job applicable skills.SIU has always provided hands on learning experiences for its students. As we move further into the digital age, it is important we continue to explore new research opportunities for our students and faculty in the humanities.
  • How do we know it’s a problem?
  • Students in the humanities, English, history, anthropology, language studies, and the arts find an increasing number of challenges when it comes to sharing their research and its importance with a wider audience. Meanwhile, new platorms, such as podcasting, create opportunities to distribute accessible and quality works. Our time on campus students are aware of these changes and eager to explore them, and our faculty seeks to take a leadership role in guiding them.

--- How might we inform new students about existing opportunities? ---

  • The Digital Humanities Studio
    • What is it?
      • This prototype has two parts. First, expanding Dr. Pinckney Benedict's Creative Writting Podcast Lab into a full Digital Humanities Studio. This will allow more diverse teams to work in mediums relatively new to the humanities. By increasing the quality and mobility of the lab, we open the door for new possibilities and set the studio up for further expansion into the realms of videograpy and external realities.
      • Second, the Saluki Tales Podcasting internship will be offered in the spring to History and other humanties students. Under direction of Dr. Joseph Sramek and history department chair Dr. Jon Bean, we will create a team of students who will produce and distribute a podcast which celebrates the research of students. This opportunity will give students the chance to share their research through a new medium, learn skills applicable both inside and outside the field, and finally set SIU's history program apart from all other history programs in the nation. Our research suggests SIU will be one of two universities in the united states using collaboration between faculty and students for historical podcasting, and possibly the only one which celebrates their original research.
    • What will it cost?
      • Through Principal Investigator Dr. Joseph Sramek, we have recently applied for a grant of $6,600. While we are optimistic in our chances for the grant, we have contigency plans to work with little to no money.
    • Who will it help?
      • As stated in the overview of this page, we need more proactive aproaches to utilizing our resources at SIU, specifically eager faculty and students. By focusing on improving the experience for College of Liberal Arts and humanities students, by giving them something concrete that they ask for, we improve their education. Past programs focused on "all freshmen" or "anyone interested" were too broad to gain a following. Our proposal leads not only to greater success for our humanities students, but also helps seperate SIU from its regional competition. We have the utmost confidence our project will thrive because of its focus on a smaller group, and believe the model can be replicated elsewhere.
  • Will it work?
    • Our project is anchored to multiple highly motivated faculty members, and is lead by a team with a graduate and undergraduate student eager to see the program succeed. Within the department, the amount of interest by history students has been astonding, to the point where we may have to screen entrants into the internship program.
    • If you would like to see a sample of our work, Joshua and Benjamin have recorded this sample podcast:
    • https://anchor.fm/siu-history-podcasting

Prototype 2: MARP-U, Active Mentorship

  • Problem
    • Students do not feel guided through their college experience, both their academic and professional journeys. A student recently said "I graduated with a degree but I did not feel qualified for a job."
    • While there are platforms on campus, there is a gap betweeen these platforms and students needs
      • How do we know it’s a problem?
        • The week of September 25, UIF candidates conducted surveys on campus asking student what they will like to see on campus. Students mentioned mentorship programs, guided workshops/orientations to inform students about their majors and entrepreneurial workshops . 
        • These surveys highlight that students don't just want to bag a degree they want to know how to apply these degrees to enhance their career. 
        • Students flunk out of school because they don't feel supported. This is obvious in SIUs graduation rates

--- How might we inform new students about existing opportunities? ---

  • MARP-U
    • What is it?
      • MARP-U stands for Mentorship Academic Development, Resource managament and Professional Development for U 
    • What will it cost?
      • Collaborative spaces, time and relationship bulding
    • Who will it help?
      • Students, faculty members and the university at large 
    • What will it include?
      • Our goal is to bridge the gap between students, faculty members and the resources on campus
      • We want to facilitate professional relationship building that organically occurs in academic and non-academic spaces on campus so that students and faculties career and professional needs are met
  • Will it work?

Prototype 3:Creativity and Innovation Lab

    • Problem
      • There isn’t an open and easily accessible space for innovation on campus.
      • Many of the labs we have are locked to a certain major/skillset
        • How do we know it’s a problem?
          • After talking to students, I’ve found that many have skill sets and passions that they can’t express because they don’t have the tools necessary to express them. 
          • Many students are studying one major, but want to explore ideas in other majors without enrolling (this particularly applies to people interested in music) 

    --- How can we create a space that is open and multi disciplinary? ---

    • Creative and Innovation Lab
      • What is it?
        • The Creative and Innovation Lab is a multidisciplinary lab space built right into campus that will allow students to express themselves by having access to a basic suite of tools. This Lab is meant to foster innovation and collaboration, while remaining affordable and accessible to the general public

      • What will it cost?
        • Currently, exact cost is unknown. The project will most likely use equipment already on campus, however new equipment may have to be bought. There will also need to be a space carved out, as well as time dedicated to teaching students how to use equipment and monitoring the space.
      • Who will it help?
        • This space will help out anyone who is looking to do something outside of their current study, as well as give both students and community members and opportunity to create. By creating an open and accessible space with all the tools needed for success, collaboration is bound to happen, leading to a thriving innovation atmosphere.
      • What will it include?
        • This space will have different “pods”. Each pod will have one primary focus. Examples include a Makerspace Pod, and a Sound Pod. 
        • There will also be a general common space where computers installed with creative and productive software will be accessible. 
    • Will it work?
      • In the past, the school has attempted to create a “Makerspace” area. The last attempt got approved, but due to unforeseen circumstances, has been put on hold indefinitely. What makes this project different than the others is that a makerspace is only one part of the whole project. The general idea is to foster innovation beyond just 3D Printing and other makerspace tools. We want to expand this project to other fields of study, so anyone can create anything they want. This project will create a space that allows anyone to be creative and innovative, and in turn generate an innovative feeling all throughout our community.

Prototype 4: College of Agriculture Green Roof | Nelson Fernandes

Problem

  • Surplus for water runoff
    • Causing a negative effect due to too much water
    • Damaging surrounding woods
    • Bad for student Health
  • Poor maintenance of system
      • Being under maintained
      • Loss of research opportunity 
    • How do we know it’s a problem?
      • The data collection box does not work anymore. (HOBOlink)
      • Flooding where the runoff leads to.

--- How can we create opportunities with our current resources? ---

 

  • College of Agriculture Green Roof
    • What is it?
      • A space on top of the College of Ag building dedicated to growing a diverse set of plants for research and recreational purposes. This will contain several benefits to campus life including but not limited to:
        • Energy Savings
        • Runoff Management
        • Reduction of Air Pollution
        • Overall beautification of campus aesthetic. 
    • What will it cost?
      • This project will cost money, time, and labor. In the past, it has taken 125 people 5 days to complete the first iteration of the green roof. This was funded partially by the student green fee fund along with the College of Ag Science and Plant Service operations. 
      • Looking at what needs to be renovated, estimated costs are $120 for a new data collection device, $100 for the cellular plan. Other systems that currently have unknown cost but will be implemented include a water system to solve runoff and a variety of renewable energy devices (including solar, wind, and hydroelectric). 
    • Who will it help?
      • The roof has 3 primary beneficiaries:
        • General public for recreational space
        • Engineering Students who will work on the water system and renewable energy systems in planning an insulation. 
        • Agriculture Students who will use the space as an outdoor classroom and research space as they learn through hands on application experience. 
    • What will it include?
      • Plants
      • Renewable Technology
      • Water Management System
      • In depth agricultural data collection
      • Recreational Benches
  • Will it work?
    • This system will work. SIU initially built the green roof in 2010, but due to poor maintenance it was unable to live up to its true potential. Oversight of certain details was a main reason why it initially failed, something that will be fixed in the redesign of the green roof with multi disciplinary collaboration. 

Prototype 5: Student Sustainability Coalition - inspired by Grant Depoy & Jacob Bolton

  • Problem:
    • ​Student values not reflected in long-term decision making regarding resource allocation
    • Students feel helpless to administrative decisions
    • Students crave to facilitate sustainable development on campus
    • Current Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are unorganized as a collective
    • RSOs must compete for funding through the Undergraduate Student Government
  • How do we know it’s a problem?
    • The landscape management and development is put into place through a campus comprehensive landscape plan. This plan is neither transparent or inclusive of student values.
    • Effectively, the landscape utilization and development is reflective of "SIUC Culture," and it does not reflect the student and faculty's need for sustainable development.

    --- How can we provide a platform to inform university resource allocation with student & faculty values? ---

    STUDENT SUSTAINABILITY COALITION (SSC)

    • What is it?
      • “The Student Sustainability Coalition (SSC) is a student-led organization with the purpose to synergize interdisciplinary efforts toward sustainable development across SIU Departments, registered student organizations (RSOs), and the broader Carbondale community. The intent of the SSC is to initialize a communicative platform for inclusive knowledge and resource-sharing via the development of a mediative student voice which is precisely representative of our rich and diverse Saluki culture. The SSC’s committees will structure and prioritize sustainable development initiatives on campus in a manner which supplements the SIUC Sustainability Office’s mission and the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."
    • What will it cost?
      • Participatory Budget - This can work with no funding.
    • Who will it help?
      • This will immediately improve the campus experience of students by creating a communicative platform for value and resource sharing between students, faculty, administration and staff, and Carbondale community members. In the longer term, this shall allow student values to inform transparent resource allocation and landscape management, ultimately propelling campus down a critical path of sustainable development; therefore, ensuring a more decentralized socioeconomic balance in student organizations. This will also improve the students "sense-of-place" as avenues to express their culture onto the landscape infrastructure are implemented.
    • What will it include?
      • This will coordinate RSOs into 3 different collaborative committees: Resource Facilitation, Intercultural Welfare, and Outreach and Education. Each committee individual must be part of an existing RSO unless the committee reaches a unanimous 'special circumstance.'
      • Each committee shall have 2 co-facilitators, and 2 lead facilitators will mediate between and act as ambassadors for the three committees.
      • Each committee will coordinate themselves and recruit RSOs and faculty advisors to inform direction and strategic planning.
      • Will it work?
        • It has already begun. We have partnered with a wide number of stakeholders and have strategically been building a mass of student interest. Soon we shall bring attention to larger scale socioecological shortfalls of the university's current land tenure and resource allocation systems. "The Evergreen Community Model" is a three point action plan to sustainably develop an intercultural housing community on campus, successfully moving forward. With the SSC adopting this, perpetual student engagement with current stakeholders: Carbondale Park District, University Housing, etc, will be ensured.

      <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jG4mIIz9INSScF_CdPP1fMttcnRYoSANW6TTyFK5bis/edit?usp=sharing>

      Fall 2018 Student Strategies

      Prototype 1:Saluki Survival Guide

      • Problem
        • We have numerous resources on campus but not a correlating amount of student involvement (specifically freshmen)
          • How do we know it’s a problem?
            • Each of the freshmen we interviewed had interests that coincide with an existing club. When asked why they were not yet a part of the club they all said it was because they hadn’t heard of it.

      --- How might we inform new students about existing opportunities? ---

      • Saluki Survival Guide
        • What is it?
          • After conducting additional interviews, we will create a conglomeration of everything that the interviewed freshmen wished they knew as well as everything that we wish we knew as freshmen.
        • What will it cost?
          • The beauty of this project is that it will require no funding. Building the bank of new student information will require a significant time commitment, but not a monetary one.
        • Who will it help?
          • While we cannot control what freshmen do and do not look through, we can certainly try our best to make it appealing. Rather than dropping it in a folder titled ‘New Student Information’ we will refer to it as the Saluki Survival Guide.
        • What will it include?
          • The general idea is that it includes a bit of everything freshmen have questions about. From providing simple ways to discover RSO’s that match their interests, to how to get involved with undergraduate research, to how to file a maintenance report if their shower is leaking.
      • Will it work?
        • We discussed this idea with three of the freshmen that we previously interviewed. All three of them said that they thought the idea was good, but only two of them said they would have taken the time to read through it. When we presented this idea to one of our stakeholders, she responded positively to the lack of cost involved.


      Prototype 2:Innovation Course

      Problem: We noticed that there were not many opportunities for students to learn about design thinking outside of the College of Business.

      Solution:We want to provide an innovation course to the students of campus.

      Process:The innovation course would teach students for a few weeks about design thinking and the process of creating a project. For the rest of the semester, the students are tasked with creating their own project that interests them. For example, if the student studies biology, they could task themselves with creating a research project. If the student studies business, they could create a plan to start their company. If the student studies engineering, they could create their own engineering project. At the end of the semester, the students will be required to show a detailed plan for their project or an actual product.

      Target and Prototyping:The innovation course would be offered to honors students first as a testing ground. The honors students are required to take honors classes so by placing the innovation course as an honors course, there is a good chance that students will take it. After being tested as an honors course, we would like to open up the innovation course to the entire campus.

      Long-term Plan: In the long run, the course could be utilized like Senior Design course but for targeted towards freshman. This would introduce freshman to design thinking as soon as they come to campus and teach students how to create their own projects. The course has the potential to mold SIU into a more innovative campus.


      Prototype 3:Question Bank

      • Problem
        • Students have questions about opportunities and campus life, but don’t know where to go to get the answers.
          • How do we know it’s a problem?
            • After speaking to freshmen during our interviews we realized that these students have questions, but don’t know who or where to turn to for answers. We have also noticed this same trend in older students we have met in classes and through extracurriculars.

      --- How might we give students the resources to get answers? ---

      • Question Bank
        • What is it?
          • We will work with one of our stakeholders that is in control of the D2L platform to put a question bar and FAQ bank on the homepage. Students will then have a way simplified way to find SIU related questions.

                                 - What will it cost?

          • This project will cost nothing to make and put into action, but it will take a time commitment to create and manage after its launch.
        • Who will it help?
          • This tool will help students of every classification by providing them a place to turn to for any Southern Illinois University related question. This will streamline the process of students trying to find out who can answer their specific questions.
        • What will it include?
          • We would keep the concept simple with a bar to type in questions on the homepage of D2L. There would be a FAQ link under the bar with questions that have been answered and their corresponding answers. When a question is answered, an email will be sent to the student and also go into the FAQ bank for other students to access.
      • Will it work?
        • We discussed this idea with one of our stakeholders that is in charge of the Desire to Learn (D2L) platform, who reacted positively to the proposal. She offered to help us redesign the homepage of D2L to include a question bar with a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource link under it. Due to our SIU emails being linked to our D2L accounts, designated staff can respond through email and list the answer on the FAQ page.


      Prototype 4:Major Specific Introductory Course ( UCOL )

      • Problem
        • Students from all different majors are placed into the same University introductory course, yet they all have different interests.
          • How do we know it’s a problem?
            • We’ve gone through UCOL first hand and realized that it should not be as broadly structured as it was. We all agree that it should be tailored towards your specific field of study. --- How might we give students the resources to get answers? ---
        • Major Specific Introductory Course ( UCOL )
          • What is it?
            • After reflecting heavily on our personal experiences with the current structure of UCOL, we will modify the curriculum that is taught to the students to be major specific. Through this modification of curriculum, we will guide teachers of the UCOL course to connect those students towards related RSO’s and other major related organizations and opportunities on campus.
          • What does it need to be implemented?
            • This project will require no funding. A slight shift in the way the class is taught, along with some work with the universities registrar office, we will be able to move students into their Major Specific Introductory course for nothing more than a little hard work.
          • Who will it help?
            • This will help students who are not wanting too broad of an overview of campus and the resources on it. The students who will come into the university with an understanding of what they want to do in their major will be able to accomplish that by being given knowledge about opportunities in their major.
          • What will it include?
            • It will include a structured list of major related RSO’s and opportunities within the university and around the southern Illinois region. The course will be structured in a way that the students are required to go out and actually interact with peers and faculty in their major.

      ​

      Spring 2016 Student Strategies

      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

      Fall 2016 Student Strategies

      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.


      Past Fellows

      Fall 2018

      Adam Vogel

      Emma Johns

      Nathaniel Jordan

      Jake Coddington

      Claire Moore

      Carly Kasicki


      Spring 2016

      Mara Decker

      Deborrius Jeffries

      Trevor Jones

      Asia Lee


      Fall 2016

      Robert Caswelch

      Mary McGee


      Fall 2015

      Dan Bach

      Thomas Birch


      Spring 2015

      Alex Hutchinson

      Brandon Nolte

      Katie Dzugan

      Related links

      ▼ Southern Illinois University
      ► Southern Illinois University (2013 Fall cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2013 Spring cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2014 Fall cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2014 Spring cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2015 Fall cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2015 Spring cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2016 Fall cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2016 Spring cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2017 Fall cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2017 Spring cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2018 Fall cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2018 Spring cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2019 Fall cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2021 cohort)
      ► Southern Illinois University (2022 cohort)
        School:Southern Illinois University
        Priorities:Southern Illinois University Student Priorities
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