Location
Comstock Memorial Union, MSUM
Document Type
Poster
Event Website
https://www.mnstate.edu/sac/
Start Date
15-4-2025 12:00 AM
End Date
15-4-2025 12:00 AM
Publication Date
4-15-2025
Description
Brief Background/Introduction/Research Context: In today’s campus environment, students often discard valuable items due to lack of a centralized platform for trading. While online marketplaces exist, they are not tailored for student needs or university communities. The MSUM Marketplace was developed to address this gap by offering a secure, user-friendly platform exclusive to Minnesota State University Moorhead students. Present Research Question/Purpose: This project explores the development of a localized online marketplace that allows MSUM students to buy and sell items easily while incorporating verification mechanisms like StarID and phone-based OTP to ensure a secure and trusted environment. Methods/Materials/Subjects/Tools: The platform was built using Flask (Python) for backend logic, SQLite for the database, and HTML/CSS/JavaScript for the frontend. Verification was implemented using Twilio's SMS service. Students can register using their StarID, verify their phone number via OTP, and log in to post or browse items. Results/Findings: The system successfully validates student identities and provides two different dashboards (admin and student) with item management features. The marketplace interface allows real-time item listings and search functionality, encouraging active participation. Feedback from initial testing showed improved student engagement in sustainable item exchange. Discussion/Conclusion/Implications/Recommendations: The MSUM Marketplace supports sustainability and community building by reducing waste and encouraging reuse. Future work could include expanding functionality to include categories, bidding features, and analytics for high-demand items. The model may also be adapted by other universities to foster secure, internal marketplaces on campus.
MSUM Market Place
Comstock Memorial Union, MSUM
Brief Background/Introduction/Research Context: In today’s campus environment, students often discard valuable items due to lack of a centralized platform for trading. While online marketplaces exist, they are not tailored for student needs or university communities. The MSUM Marketplace was developed to address this gap by offering a secure, user-friendly platform exclusive to Minnesota State University Moorhead students. Present Research Question/Purpose: This project explores the development of a localized online marketplace that allows MSUM students to buy and sell items easily while incorporating verification mechanisms like StarID and phone-based OTP to ensure a secure and trusted environment. Methods/Materials/Subjects/Tools: The platform was built using Flask (Python) for backend logic, SQLite for the database, and HTML/CSS/JavaScript for the frontend. Verification was implemented using Twilio's SMS service. Students can register using their StarID, verify their phone number via OTP, and log in to post or browse items. Results/Findings: The system successfully validates student identities and provides two different dashboards (admin and student) with item management features. The marketplace interface allows real-time item listings and search functionality, encouraging active participation. Feedback from initial testing showed improved student engagement in sustainable item exchange. Discussion/Conclusion/Implications/Recommendations: The MSUM Marketplace supports sustainability and community building by reducing waste and encouraging reuse. Future work could include expanding functionality to include categories, bidding features, and analytics for high-demand items. The model may also be adapted by other universities to foster secure, internal marketplaces on campus.
https://red.mnstate.edu/sac/2025/cbac/2