[Allison K]

I started a team this year as a college freshman. I had originaly planned on us competeing this season, but due to lack of funds we had to wait a year. I was kind of disaponed at first, but using this year for practice has turned out great. In answer to your questions

What kind of involvment does the University have?
My experience is likely diferent than what yours would be becuase I go to a relatively small private college. The college has very willing given us stuff (computers and materials), space (We're hosting a competition here this summer), services (they machine parts for us), and people, but they can't give us any money. If fact, that's rather been my experience across the board. We've gotten so much stuff donated that if we had gotten a registration fee we could have built the robot for about $200. In fact we got so much stuff donated we are building a robot. But back on topic, I've also gotten a lot of support from the college president (he personally wrote a letter so that we can use the recreation center for our competition at no cost to us), college newspaper (They've run numerous stories on us), and the physics/engineering department.

Does it provide facilities, organization/administration and engineers?
What roles do the various local high schools have in all of this?
For those of you on college-sponsered teams, what are your thoughts on how all of this works?
Is a high-school teacher needed too?
In general, how willing are the colleges to do this, and what do you say to them?

Arg, out of time..I have to go to the room lottery and find a room for next year..I'll be back to finish typing soon.