The Students’ Association is preparing to launch a new program, dubbed the “Greatest Idea Challenge,” which will encourage students to compete with each other to present ideas to improve or innovate life at ACU.

The focus of the challenge will be to solve issues on campus and to take advantage of an opportunity to improve campus life. The competition will be conducted over a series of rounds that will begin with teams of up to four people submitting a video of their proposal. Further stages will include workshops for the ideas and ultimately a sequence of presentations to panelists who can approve a proposition.

SA is anticipating approximately 30 applications. Because of the nature of the competition, the Greatest Idea Challenge will not be held yearly, but SA is planning on incorporating prize incentives to encourage students to participate.

Rebecca Dial, SA president, said the idea had been considered and discussed in SA for several years. Dial suggested finally implementing the plan after researching and receiving input from administrators during the summer. Dial, senior political science major from Lexington, S.C., said the Greatest Idea Challenge could provide students with a better understanding of how the campus works as well as how new ideas are incorporated into campus life.

“I think it will be a great opportunity for students to really fully participate and feel heard by the administration because you’re talking directly to them,” said Dial. “It also allows students to think more fully about their ideas.”

Dylan Benac, SA vice president, said there’s a lot of excitement within SA and among students who have become aware of the challenge.

“I think there’s a lot of students on campus who want to see their ideas for change actually take place,” said Benac, junior political science major from Boerne. “Granted, there probably are some odd ideas out there, but sometimes it’s the one that no one’s thought of that will make a difference.”

The Greatest Idea Challenge is set to officially begin next semester to allow freshmen time to become familiar with ACU campus life. The major roll-out of the challenge is currently planned for Feb. 25, with video submissions due on March 8.