College Sponsored-Teams: How does your college support you?

[Martinez]

Originally Posted by Jeff Waegelin

My questions:

• What college/university sponsors your team?
• How much funding do they give you each season?
• Do you have any university staff or faculty involved? If so, what roles (technical or non) do they serve?
• Does your college/university give you access to campus facilities? If so, what facilities?
• Do they provide you with any other resources not mentioned above?

1) Clarkson University is primary sponsor for Division by Zero (229)
2) Depends on the year, rookie year I heard it was $5,000, grew to $10,000 and and often more to get to Championship. Initially there were 10-15 sponsors, but that has dropped to less than 5 in recent years.
3) Quite a bit. 229 is one of 20 SPEED Teams (Student Projects for Experience in Engineering Design) which is a major draw for the college. In the past, the SPEED director has been heavily involved along with two Professors who acted as Advisors: One is the head of the Mechanical Senior Design Class (of which 5 students have as their final project) and one is a Robotics professor and is responsible for the rest of the team (along with the high school teachers and active adults as well). Leadership of the team though is handled by the college students.
4) Machine Shop, Lecture halls, Storage Space. Construction use to be at the high schools but shifted primarly to the college due to better equipment. One third of all meetings in the fall are at the college. Kickoff is held in a lecture hall. Access to college vehicles for transport to high school meetings.


The big thing you should promote is this is an active recruitment drive for future students. They will have access to the brightest minds in America who are passionate about FIRST. Many many many students go to Clarkson because of the hands learning from SPEED and many FIRSTers which to continue as college mentors. It is also an excellent oppertunity for PR but also the their students to study engineering. I learned more in six weeks then I did in four years of college.

Penn State gives $1,000 for financial support to Chuck 84. The University is to far away to provide any other asistance.