I'm a UW Engineering alumnus, and served on the WEEF board for a couple of terms. I was thinking recently that a RepRap might make for a perfect WEEF proposal, especially during the slower summer term. I figure for about $600 you can get all the pieces for a Mendel, and run it off a surplus computer (or inexpensive new box). For a WEEF proposal, I'd provide a deal on the kits/parts I sell. PM me if you're interested.

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Andrew Netherton
Thingfarm North America
[thingfarm.org]

I was actually looking at making one for the theater department at UW Madison. As a technical director I use it all the time to make parts as we invent things for each production.