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ℹ️ HackKU25 Information

Welcome to HackKU25! Below you’ll find info on Wi-Fi, Discord, schedule, venue details, and more.

📶 Wi-Fi

KU students should be able to log in to the JAYHAWK Wi-Fi network as usual. Non-KU students may use the Wi-Fi network called KU GUEST, which should be available campus-wide. Please contact an organizer if you are having issues using the Wi-Fi.

🧳 What to Bring

Here’s a handy checklist to help you pack for HackKU25! Be prepared for comfort, productivity, and overnight hacking!

  • Tech & Tools:
    • Laptop
    • Headphones/earbuds
    • Chargers & extension cords
    • Notebook and pens/pencils
    • Any specific hardware or devices (e.g., Raspberry Pi)
    • Mouse
  • Comfort:
    • Comfortable clothing (layers are great!)
    • Pillows, blankets, or sleeping bag
    • Reusable water bottle
    • 18+ chaperone for minors
  • Personal Care:
    • Toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Deodorant
    • Toiletries
    • Towel (if applicable)
    • Medications (if applicable)

👾 Discord

Join the HackKU 2025 Discord!

Discord will be the main form of communication during the event. There will be channels for announcements, meeting team members, and reaching out to sponsors, mentors, and organizers.

Helper Duck
This year we have created a Discord Bot, Helper Duck, to quickly and easily get help from mentors! For more information on how to use Helper Duck, see below: Helper Duck.

🧳 Travel

🌤️ Weather

The average April weather in Lawrence, Kansas can be anywhere between 40–80°F and is generally sunny, but be prepared for the possibility of rain as well!

🗺️ Venue Information

🚨 Need to add map

HackKU25 will take place throughout the University of Kansas School of Engineering, which includes LEEP2, Eaton, and Learned Halls. The Opening Ceremony will take place across campus in Budig Hall 120 Auditorium

Accommodations

🚨 Need to be edited
HackKU will NOT be providing specific sleeping accommodations, however, all participants are welcome to sleep in the venue if they wish, and the room LEEP2 2420 will be a designated de-stressing room with movie screening and board games. There are several affordable hotels near KU’s campus as well.

✈️ For Flying Travelers

Airport

The closest airport is MCI (often colloquially called Kansas City International or KCI).

Airport to Lawrence, Kansas

MCI is about 50 miles northeast of Lawrence, Kansas. The best way to get from MCI to Lawrence is via Uber or Lyft.

Getting around Town

  • Lawrence has a free bus system! The maps and schedules can be found here.
  • Uber and Lyft are also reasonably priced.
  • Much of Lawrence’s downtown is within a ~20–30 min walk from campus.

🌻 More Information

If you have any questions about KU, Lawrence, or Kansas, feel free to reach out to an organizer! We are happy to help and provide some recommendations.

🗓️ Schedule

Check-in Process

We will be checking in at the front doors on the ground floor of LEEP2 starting at 5PM on Friday, April 4. You must check-in to pick up your ID badge, which gets you access to food and swag. If you are unable to check-in during this time, stop by the Organizer’s HQ when you do arrive.

💻 Competition Details

Team Formation

  • Your team may consist of up to four participants.
  • All team members must be registered participants of HackKU25, check in, and be present at the event.
  • Don’t worry if you don’t have a team yet! There will be a team formation event after the opening ceremony, and a teambuilding channel on Discord to find teammates.

Competition Rules

  • All code for your project MUST be written during HackKU, between 8PM on April 4th and 8AM on April 6th.
  • Your entire project must be created only by the participants on your team.
  • Your code must be made public on GitHub for judging purposes.

🏆 Tracks, Challenges & Prizes

Theme Track

The theme will be announced during OPENING CEREMONY!

General Track

Challenge Prizes

Sponsor Tracks

🧑‍💻 Workshops & Events

No hackathon experience would be complete without workshops and events! Learn new skills at workshops, and take a break from coding to meet other hackers at social events.

More info: Schedule

Bingo Card

Participate and complete the challenges on your HackKU25 Bingo Card to win awesome prizes! Each completed square brings you closer to victory. Prizes coming soon!

🍽️ Food

All meals are provided free of charge, and assorted snacks and drinks will be available throughout the weekend!

Friday

Dinner: Red Pepper

  • Egg Rolls
  • Crab Rangoons
  • Vegetable Lo Mein
  • Vegetable Fried Rice
  • Sesame Chicken
  • Beef Broccoli
  • Cold Noodles
  • Vegetable

Late Night Snack: Bubble Box / Eileens Colossal Cookies

  • Mango with crystal bubbles (vegan)
  • Thai milk with oatmilk (no bubbles) (vegan / DF)
  • Thai milk with crystal bubbles
  • Cookies
  • “Gluten free” cookie cake

Saturday

Breakfast: Wheatfields Bakery

  • Empanada trays (burgundy mushroom/swiss and chicken fajita)
  • Quiche trays (ham/onion/gouda and tomato/basil/mozzarella)
  • Breads and spreads:
    • Hummus (vegan)
    • Roasted red pepper
    • Whipped chev and blueberry compote
    • Dill and chive compound butter
  • Croissants (plain / chocolate)
  • Danish trays (cherry almond)
  • Scone trays (apple cinnamon / cherry chocolate)

McClains

  • Pastry Box
  • Very Berry Sunflower Toast
  • Market Bowl (halal chicken, sausage, other options)
  • Coffee Carafe

Lunch: La Estrella

  • Tacos: steak, carnitas, pollo, birria
  • Rice
  • Beans

Dinner: Globe Indian

  • Veggie Pakora
  • Channa Masala
  • Chicken 65
  • Naan pieces
  • Tikka Masala
  • Rice

Late Night Snack: Bubble Box

  • Mango with crystal bubbles (vegan)
  • Thai milk with oatmilk (no bubbles) (vegan / DF)
  • Thai milk with crystal bubbles

Eileens Colossal Cookies

  • Cookies
  • “Gluten free” cookie cake

Sunday

Breakfast: McClains

  • Pastry Box
  • Very Berry Sunflower Toast
  • Market Bowl (halal chicken, sausage, other options)
  • Coffee Carafe

🗺️ Venue

HackKU will be hosted at the University of Kansas School of Engineering. The main building (Learned Engineering Expansion 2, LEEP2) is located at 1536 W 15th St, Lawrence, KS 66045. Rooms for hacking, workshops, and other events are listed below. A map of LEEP2 can be found here.

Hacking Rooms

  • Available for everyone: LEEP2: 2415, 2425; Learned: 1131, 1136, 2111, 2112, 2115, 2133, 3150, 3151, 3152, 3153, 3154
  • Themed rooms (for registered): LEEP2: 2324, 2326, 2328
  • Give away rooms: LEEP2: 2322 & 2320
  • Rooms for high-schoolers & out-of-state: LEEP2: 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326, 1328

🚗 Parking

Participants should plan to arrive on the afternoon of Friday, April 4th to check in.

  • If you arrive before 5PM on Friday, park in the Allen Fieldhouse garage (first hour fee $1.75 + $1.50/hr until 5PM).
  • If you arrive after 5PM, we recommend parking in Lots 41, 54, 72, or 90 for free, shown on KU’s parking map.

📚 Resources

Beginner Workshops:

📹 Intro to Git/GitHub/VCS

📹 Intro to Javascript

More information coming soon!

📜 Code of Conduct

Please review the HackKU Code of Conduct here: Code of Conduct.