This week, we have been refining our approach to the problem space by focusing on key insights, potential solutions, and setting specific goals. The major insights gathered are related to existing solutions, such as the AOP (Access and Opportunity Portal) and the Magister Furnd. We’ve identified barriers that we may face, which include the challenge of closed funds and the limited involvement of existing members in Rice Mutual Aid. We’ve brainstormed several How Can We statements to contribute to one ‘final’ HCW: How can we streamline RMA’s communication and outreach strategies at/in current students and alumni to enhance student awareness … Continue reading Reframe: Team Rice Mutual Aid

Our research was collected from our interview with the Co director of Rice Mutual aid and external research on RMA. Our users are Rice University students who face emergency crises (e.g., medical or personal) on a case-by-case basis who rely on Rice Mutual Aid during these times. Example of user scenario:  A Rice University student faces a sudden medical emergency. Needing immediate assistance but wishing to remain anonymous, they turned to Rice Mutual Aid (RMA). With a quick, anonymous request, they receive fast help without needing to go through a detailed explanation of their situation, thanks to RMA’s discreet support … Continue reading Immerse: Team Rice Mutual Aid

This week, our team delved deep into the pressing issue: understanding how we can establish a robust Mutual Aid system to better support the emergency assistance needs of Rice students. Central to our exploration was the question of feasibility; namely, would we have the right stakeholders and influence to address this challenge effectively? A surprising revelation was that there’s currently no funding available, nudging us to consider innovative fundraising strategies. Our own experiences, notably some eye-opening insights from my past, underscored the need for this initiative. Going through this ‘Identify’ step has been transformative; it not only clarified the contours … Continue reading Identify: Team Rice Mutual Aid