Funding Status: Accepted

Abstract

This proposal is for updating lab computers at the Language Learning Center located on the first floor of Denny Hall that are used by students daily primarily for language learning. The computers are located in three rooms operated by the Language Learning Center for language learning: Denny Hall 158, 156 and 157. Two thirds of the computers in our Center are over 10 ½ years old (received on 8/24/2012), too old to run the current Windows operating system (Windows 11) which means that we can no longer update software and also means they are more susceptible to viruses and other issues. The final third of our computers are 6 ½ years old (received on 8/8/2016). The age of our computers will soon make them unusable for class and has already made them less desirable for student use. These computers play a crucial role in providing students with open facilities and free access to multimedia and multilingual computing resources for study. In total we need 80 computers replaced. We have spoken to Dell who has quoted us at $1299.50 per computer (model: OptiPlex Tower 7010 with 16 GB of RAM) with tax this makes the total $114,615.90. The new computers will come with keyboard, mouse, as well as Windows 11 (currently the computers are running Windows 10 and can no longer be updated to 11).

Access

Abstract

Chemical Engineering (ChemE) has enjoyed a vast increase in enrolled undergraduate students compared to last year, leading the way for a larger community to utilize our physical campus resources housed in Benson Hall. One concern that competes with our growth involves our conference rooms that serve as important engaging, collaborative spaces for both our own ChemE community and other visiting/external guests that we host in Benson Hall. These spaces contain television sets that, while large enough, are hindered by its age, and we've maintained them to the best of our abilities for years. Their declining quality aren’t well equipped for hybrid meetings or more demanding multimedia presentations, and students often may resort to their own smaller laptop screens for collaborative work, whether this is for hybrid meetings, practicing slide-driven presentations, or other tasks where larger screen real estate would help immeasurably. To best address this issue altogether, our proposal requests funds to purchase new Dell 55-inch conferencing monitors for our five existing dedicated conference rooms, in addition to our newly renovated undergraduate lounge. This requested equipment will serve as the most suitable replacement that will improve our conferencing technology infrastructure and persist for years to come. The capabilities of these monitors also serve as a catalyst for introducing additional components to these spaces in the future.

Access

Though appointments can be done through YouCanBook.me, it should be clarified that walk-ins to these spaces are available, including for those who can access Benson Hall outside of open building hours. Appointments are only necessary to secure a specific needed time in advance for a meeting, project, discussion, etc.

Abstract

I am aiming to make UWILD as inclusive and diverse as I can. With this in mind I am applying for the student technology fee to buy and build adaptive equipment. This will provide us with the support to help students and staff with disabilities get outside with out barriers to learning. We will be able to have kayaking, backpacking, climbing, and biking equipment that is fit for those who have physical and cognitive disabilities. This will allow the department to reach even more students. Most college do not have adaptive outdoor sports so this would allow us to stand out and reach all members of campus and not just those who are able bodied.

Access

This is only for program use. So it can only been used after they have signed up.

Abstract

Undergraduate and graduate students leverage the School of Nursing Simulation Center in their transition from the classroom to clinical care. Students practice their assessment and treatment skills here before caring for vulnerable people in local area hospitals. In consideration of that transition to practice, students have identified - and the department has sponsored - three primary needs in this critical area. First, students ask for new equipment for two very sensitive procedures - intravenous access and urinary catheterization - to replace an outdated, depreciated fleet. Students are explicitly requesting that new equipment accurately portray the population through an increased representation of people of color. This is a known issue in health sciences education. Second, students ask for medication dispensing units. This is the equipment students will use in local area hospitals to collect medications for administration. Between 7,000 and 9,000 people die every year in the United States from medication errors (Tariq et al., 2022). Many of these errors can be prevented through the adept use of this equipment. Training of students using medication dispensing units is a requirement of Washington law (WAC 246-874-070 Nursing students ADDD access). Third, students ask for new equipment to improve neonatal assessment abilities and to develop pediatric airway management skills. This investment is a direct action to combat the current tripledemic (RSV, COVID-19, influenza), which is taking lives while crushing community partners and local area hospitals. As with the first request, students desire equipment that does not contribute to health disparities through inadequate representation from the BIPOC community.

Access

Only outside users need an appointment.

Abstract

Students with disabilities must have equitable access to computing technology. The Access Technology Center (ATC) seeks funding to: 1) continue to provide accessible computer technology for students with disabilities; and 2) update and upgrade aged software and equipment to reflect operating system and hardware improvements that have been performed and are being implemented by Learning Technologies (LT) and the ATC. The systems affected are located in the Mary Gates Hall Access Technology Center (ATC), Suzzallo Library, OUGL Learning Commons and satellite workstations in a variety of academic departments. These facilities serve the majority of general use computing needs for the campus and are recognized central locations for computer technology for students with disabilities. On a limited basis and subject to product availability, commonly used access technology is also loaned to departmental labs from the ATC for short-term student needs. Additionally, ATC seeks funding to update equipment used to remediate inaccessible academic materials for students who are blind, have low vision, or experience other disabilities. This work is performed in collaboration with the Disability Resources for Students office.

Access

Abstract

Students in Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE) - both undergraduate and graduate - rely heavily on their personal computers due to the nature of their field, particularly outside of their coursework. This often involves examining data and complex systems-driven problems that, in turn, often require a larger visual canvas to navigate. At ISE, the primary goal of our proposal is to address the physical and ergonomic restrictions of a laptop where such systems-driven problems pose a challenge to efficiently explore, both visually and collaboratively speaking. Likewise, students do not necessarily all have the physical space in their personal homes to reasonably address these restrictions. Therefore, we would like to improve our existing student lounges with external monitors and docking stations for the students. These additions open the door for potentially other benefits for students, such as exploring more projects for their career, along with an increase in productivity and collaboration associated with more screen real estate. Rather than purchasing new computers, this cost-saving measure to, instead, acquire external monitors and docking stations - neither of which require additional software or drivers - allow the students to continue using their devices, which they are already more comfortable and familiar with as opposed to a new computer lab, for example. A recent surveyed response specifically expressed a need for "accessible power outlets and secondary monitors".

Access

Abstract

The problem we are trying to solve is that our German students are struggling with the sound of movies in the language due the poor quality of the projector in the room in which we hold our movie nights. Students often have to rely on English-language captions which interferes with the learning goals for the event (i.e., improve listening comprehension and offer an immersive cultural experience). German Studies is applying to the STF’s call for proposals to buy a wireless surround sound system for our departmental library and event space, Denny Hall 359. DH 359 is also the space in which our undergraduates gather for their weekly sessions of the German Club RSO and where we hold our weekly film series. Installing a wireless surround sound system would take the experience of watching German movies to another level with the fantastic clarity the system delivers. We have a group of about 10-12 student learners who regularly come to the German film series every week. Our German Club RSO also uses the departmental library for games, conversation, and various projects including listening to German music and podcasts. Thanks to the outreach efforts of Humanities Advising Services, participation in German Club events has recently risen to around 50 students with room to grow once the word gets out that we have such a state-of-the art-system.

Access

Contact uwgerman@uw.edu anytime

Abstract

For many years we have been chasing a cheap efficient and accurate way to cut metal sheet into complex shapes for student projects. Our current solutions for cutting profiles by hand in sheet metal are with a jig saw or band saw. These methods are OK for general shapes, but takes a lot of time and skill to do accurately. The other option we have is a high pressure abrasive water jet cutter. The cost to run this machine comes out to an average of around 100 dollars per hour just to keep the machine itself running. With most student projects the relatively high the cost of entry to purchase the consumables doesn't justify the use of the machine for their project. This is where the CNC plasma cutter comes in. The cost of consumables will be low enough that the shop can absorb most or all of the cost into it's budget. The students will be able to bring in their material and utilize the machine after proper training with little to no cost on their end. Modern CNC plasma cutters are extremely accurate and efficient, and can utilize the majority of the raw material with very little waste. The students can get the most parts out of their sheet and further minimize costs. The plasma cutter can also cut thick (Up to 1 inch) metal at much higher rates than the abrasive waterjet cutter which will save time and costs for the user.

Access

The CNC Plasma Cutter will be available for reservation through a commonly used UW CORAL scheduling system. If the machine is not in use, walk-ins without reservation may be allowed.

Abstract

The Mechanical Engineering Prototype shop has encountered a large number of requests for reverse engineering capabilities. In an engineering context, the goal of reverse engineering is to be able to accurately measure an existing object or body. This gives you the ability to design parts to interface with existing mechanical assemblies like robot arms and motors. It also includes more dimensionally complex organic structures like animal limbs to create prostheses and other medical devices. Objects have become more complex dimensionally (organic shapes) due to advanced computational models and CNC machining. Because of this it is also getting harder to measure using conventional tools and techniques. The manufacturing and metrology industries are expanding their tool set to include scanning as a viable measurement tool to adapt to these new challenges, and it is important that our students have access to similar technology in the lab. Of course the 3D information is not restricted to the engineering realm. Artists and designers will also be able to use the data directly for inspiration or object driven design and sculpture. The prototype shop would like to work in conjunction with an existing laboratory class (ME 123) to provide one scanner and processing computer in the ME123 lab class, as well as one scanner and processing computer in the machine shop. The second scanner would be available by not just the Mechanical Engineering students but the entire UW student body.

Access

The scanner will be available for reservation through a commonly used UW CORAL scheduling system.