Students can now submit ideas for the second Fast Forward student competition, a contest in which students submit video proposals that describe an idea that they think will improve Syracuse University.

The deadline to submit proposals is Feb. 24 and up to five winners, chosen by a panel of faculty and staff from around campus, will be notified on March 6, said Sam Edelstein, assistant director of regional programs and engagement in the Office of Alumni Relations. Winning ideas will receive up to $1,000 in grant money.

Last year’s event was started to coincide and to be a part of Chancellor Kent Syverud’s inauguration, said Jaclyn Grosso, executive director of communications and public relations of Fast Forward Syracuse.

This year will be similar to last year’s competition, although there will be fewer winners than last year’s 13, Edelstein said.

“We figured that three to five winners was a little bit more manageable and something that could be more sustainable this year,” he said.

Edelstein added that although there will be fewer winners than last year, the amount of money that each idea receives will remain the same.

Julie Walas-Huynh, director of academic advising and student engagement at the School of Information Studies and one of the panelists choosing the winners, said that, above all, ideas have to leave a mark on campus.

“Last year we had so many awesome ideas,” Walas-Huynh said. “There are a few that we can easily and tangibly see on our everyday visits to campus. There are also those that we don’t get to see on campus every day, but that we can notice if we look a little bit closer.”

The mural on the Mount Olympus steps, the benches along Euclid Avenue and the park bars on the Hinds Hall patio are just a few of last year’s winning ideas that can be physically seen around campus.

Madelyn Minicozzi, a sophomore industrial and interaction design major, was one of last year’s winners and submitted her idea for the Mural on the Mount project. She said that she wouldn’t trade the experience of being a part of the competition.

The Elect Her campaign, a program that encourages young women to pursue leadership positions, was pitched last year by former Student Association president Allie Curtis. It is an idea that cannot be physically seen, but still has an impact, Walas-Huynh said.

Once this year’s winners are chosen and the amount of money each idea receives is determined, each team will pitch its idea to the public on March 24, National Orange Day.

“It’s less of a pitch to get something, but it’s more of an opportunity to show off and tell the campus about their ideas,” Edelstein said.

Edelstein added that they’ve already received some submissions for this year and they expect more submissions closer to the deadline.

Published on February 18, 2015 at 12:01 am

Contact Rachel: rsandler@syr.edu