“What If” Initiative
Coming together to advance ideas, create change, and support creativity and innovation at Hamilton.
The "What If" Initiative is designed to support ideas from the Hamilton community that:
- Experiment with new ways for students to experience learning
- Encourage innovative teaching
- Explore new ways to support students
- Enhance our campus community's creative commitment to expression, fostering belonging, and connection, through the practice of the liberal arts
- Increase our capacity as a college for collaboration, creative exchange, and non-routine approaches to fostering community, expression, and connection
Fall 2024 Timeline
Part I: Engage
Submit “What If” Questions & Ideas (Through Oct. 28)
All members of the campus community are invited to submit their “What If” questions and ideas. No question or idea is too big, too broad, or too small!
Note: You do not need to submit an idea in order to participate in the initiative moving forward.
Part II: Collaborate
Explore & Develop Ideas (November)
Submitted questions and ideas will be shared with the Hamilton community by early November to help community members find interesting ideas and potential collaborators for propositions.
A brainstorming event open to all students, faculty, and staff will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 3-5 p.m. in Burke Library. This event is designed to facilitate enhanced discussions of an idea and for community members to attend and find collaborators. Snacks will be provided.
Part III: Transform
Submit a “What If” Proposition
Deadline: Dec. 13
The application will be available by early November. Selected propositions, which will be announced before the start of the Spring 2025 semester, will receive funding to support implementation and/or further research and development.
Application requirements and other details are listed on the Initiative Overview page.
“What If” Student Fellow
The "What If" Student Fellow will play a vital role in supporting this dynamic campus initiative aimed at fostering creativity and innovation within the Hamilton community. The fellowship will be responsible for generating excitement and enthusiasm around the "What If" Initiative by promoting events and opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to contribute creative ideas that could enhance the campus experience. They will work closely with the “What If” Committee to organize brainstorming sessions, workshops, and other interactive events that encourage participation and engagement, and also serve as a reviewer of submitted “What If” propositions.
Applications Due: Friday, Oct. 18
Fellow Application (Handshake)
Types of “What If” Propositions
Budget: Less than $2,000
Spark propositions are typically small-scale ideas with a modest budget that can be designed within a semester and implemented the following semester.
Budget: Less than $10,000
Catalyst propositions are more complex ideas that will likely require expanded community partnerships and take up to a full academic year to develop. The expectation is that they would be implemented the following academic year.
Transformational propositions do not have a maximum funding limit and represent ideas that will significantly enhance the College's ability to serve our students and build our reputation as a leader among small residential liberal arts colleges.
Important Dates
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10/18/2024
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10/28/2024
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11/13/2024 3:00PM
Exploring “What If” Ideas Event
Brainstorming session
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12/13/2024
“What If” Proposition Deadline
Contact
Office / Department Name
Office of the President
Contact Name
"What If" Initiative Committee
