Applying systems thinking to solve problems for and advance the operations of service-oriented organizations at the University of Virginia
Applying systems thinking to solve problems for and advance the operations of service-oriented organizations at the University of Virginia
BAPS partners with various organizations and initiatives across the UVA community to help them solve their problems. These problems typically involve using some sort of technical component (e.g., spreadsheet system, programming system, troubleshooting system, etc.) to advance the organization's operations. With roughly 450 students involved, a majority of BAPS members are systems engineering majors, but BAPS welcomes students of any major to participate in these problem-solving projects.
In addition to contributing to service efforts around grounds, another objective of our club is to expose 1st-year BAPS members to the concepts and skills systems engineering majors will learn and use in their classes and careers, while also having the mentorship and support of current systems engineering students within their project teams.
BAPS aims to support other service-oriented organizations, but is open to considering all projects. The organizations that BAPS served in the fall of 2024 include the Gordie Center, FoodAssist, and SWAP UVA. In the spring of 2025, we worked with Josie's Way, Madison House, the UVA Wheelchair Tennis Team, and YellowRed.
BAPS invites organizations to submit projects to this website (see our For Orgs page). If a project is accepted, a project team will then be assigned to the organization (see more information about project teams on our FAQ page). The project team will then work with the organization to formulate the best solution pathway for the respective problem. This solution typically involves a presentation to the client/organization at the culmination of the project.
Although BAPS (Become a Problem-Solver) has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization, which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.