Webster HackFest 2025 – Official Rules & Code of Conduct  

Before participating in Webster HackFest 2025, all participants must read and agree to the following rules and guidelines.  

1. Eligibility  

The hackathon is open to all Webster University students from any major.  

Teams can have one to four members.  

Each participant must register through the official sign-up form before the deadline.  

2. Project Submission Rules  

All projects must be built from scratch during the hackathon. Pre-existing projects will be disqualified.  

Teams must submit their projects by Sunday, April 13th at 9:30 AM.  

Projects should be related to one of the hackathon categories:  

Gaming – Develop a game or gaming-related tool.  

Business Innovation – Build a project with strong market potential.  

Best UI/UX – Design an intuitive, user-friendly interface.  

Most Useful Project – Solve a real-world problem with your idea.  

Open-source libraries and APIs are allowed, but teams must list all external resources used.  

3. Judging and Prizes  

Projects will be judged based on creativity and innovation, functionality and execution, UI/UX design, and impact and usefulness.  

Judging will take place on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  

Judges include industry professionals from Microsoft, AT&T, and Sketch Development.  

Prizes include JBL speakers, AirPods, and monitors, with specific prizes for each category.  

4. Code of Conduct  

Webster HackFest 2025 is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment. By participating, you agree to:  

Respect fellow participants. No harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior.  

Follow Webster University policies. No illegal or unethical activities.  

Maintain professionalism. Keep interactions friendly and constructive.  

Respect workspace cleanliness. Dispose of trash and keep shared spaces organized.  

Be a team player. Collaboration and mutual respect are encouraged.  

Violations of the code of conduct may result in disqualification and removal from the event.  

5. Hacking Guidelines  

AI tools and frameworks are allowed but must be credited.  

Hardware projects are permitted, but participants must bring their own hardware.  

No harmful, malicious, or unethical software development is allowed.  

6. Food, Refreshments, and Breaks  

Meals and snacks will be provided throughout the event.  

Short break activities will be available to keep participants engaged and energized.  

7. Guest Speaker Sessions  

Industry experts will share insights on DevOps, scalable projects, business strategies, and game development.  

Sessions will be held on Saturday afternoon.  

8. Remote Participation for Judges  

Judges unable to attend in person may evaluate projects remotely and submit their scores.  

Have Questions?  

Reach out to the Webster CS Club team for any clarifications.