The Beacon Exchange, a new student-led website developed for students moving out or in for the winter and spring semester, was available for the first time last semester.
Students can use the site to buy, sell and swap items in categories such as clothing, furniture and appliances. After making an account, users can message sellers on the website and list their own items. Sellers and buyers can contact each other through the platform to discuss details for purchasing and swapping items.
The website was created as a part of a senior capstone project by senior Shubreet Kaur and his team. Kaur, who is majoring in Information Technology with a concentration in Business Intelligence, served as the project’s group lead and helped “guide the overall vision for the platform.”
Kaur said she is interested in solving complex real-world problems using technology, which is why she came up with the idea for The Beacon Exchange.
“The idea for The Beacon Exchange came from a common problem many UMass Boston students face at the end of each semester: figuring out what to do with furniture, household items, and dorm essentials when moving out,” Kaur said. “We noticed that students often rely on scattered social media posts or group chats, which can be unreliable and disorganized.”
Kaur tested the website herself to ensure a smooth experience for its users. Her goal with The Beacon Exchange is to make moving out as easy and stress free as possible for students.
“We wanted to create a safe, student-only platform where UMass Boston students could easily exchange items with each other during move-out season. The goal was to make the process more affordable, sustainable, and convenient for students,” she said. “As the group lead, I was involved in user testing, posting items, reviewing listings, and ensuring the overall experience was smooth and intuitive from a student’s perspective.”
The website opened for the first time Dec. 1 and will remain live until the end of this month. It will then reopen later in the year.
“The Beacon Exchange is designed as a seasonal platform, and we do plan to reopen it toward the end of the spring semester, when student move-outs increase again,” Kaur said. “This allows us to keep the platform focused, relevant, and manageable during peak usage times.”