CampusLink

CampusLink (formerly "Thani") is a mobile-first platform designed to connect college students across different universities. It aggregates student discussions, local campus tips, and inter-university events into one app. By combining forums, interactive maps, and event listings, CampusLink helps students branch out beyond their immediate surroundings and get involved in nearby campus communities.

Features

Overview

• Location-based map with user-submitted posts and travel tips
• Secure access for verified student accounts
• Forums for clubs, classes, shared interests, and general discussion
• Aggregated events from nearby universities with RSVP support

Map & Location Feed

• Searchable campus maps with interactive pins
• Posts tied to campus buildings, dorms, or hangout spots
• Comment threads used for travel advice, warnings, or general info

Authentication

• Firebase-backed authentication for verified student access
• Login/signup system using university email validation

Community Forums

• Interest-based discussion boards
• Club-specific threads and student Q&A
• Encourages intercampus friendships and knowledge sharing

Events Feed

• Real-time event listings from nearby colleges
• Event details, RSVP features, and calendar-friendly formats
• Helps students explore new communities and activities

Tech Stack

• React Native – Mobile interface and interaction
• Python (Flask) – Backend logic and data processing
• Docker – Containerization and deployment
• Firebase – Authentication and real-time backend services
• SQL – Structured data storage

Local Deployment

Make sure you have the following installed and configured:

• Python 3.x
• Node.js and npm
• Docker Desktop

1. Clone the repository

1. git clone https://github.com/your-org/CampusLink.git
2. cd CampusLink

2. Backend Setup

1. Navigate to the db directory: cd db_setup
2. Run the provided setup.bat script (Windows only)

This script will:

• Build and run a Dockerized PostgreSQL + pgvector container
• Set up a Python virtual environment
• Install all required Python dependencies
• Run the datapipeline.py script
• Leave the virtual environment active for further development

3. Frontend Setup

1. Navigate to the frontend directory: cd thani-dev
2. npm install
3. npm start

Contributors

• Abenezer Woldesenbet
• Alisha Pravasi
• Dillion Melville
• Jeremy Dougherty
• Joe Ontiveros Rodriguez
• Rachel Reyes