1
David Wuolu, Rodney A. Briggs Library
(wuolu@morris.umn.edu)
This year the computers that are due to be retired are thirty Dell XPS 850 MHz systems with 15" monitors. These were originally Windows 98 systems; they have Pentium III processors, and they were purchased in spring 2000. Eleven of these computers are located in the 24-hour lab in Behmler 39, and nineteen are located in the lab/classroom in Camden 10.
The thirty replaced computers will be sold, and the proceeds of the sales will be returned to the student technology fee account. (In 2003, sales of retired lab computers from Behmler 10 and the closed ORL lab provided $3,840 in revenue to the fee account.)
It's possible that one or both of these Computing Services labs (Behmler 39 and Camden 10) will be closed in spring 2006 when the renovated Social Science building is opened. At the time this proposal is being written, the building committee is considering a plan to include a lab/classroom with 40 computers that would be available to student users 24 hours a day. It's premature to try to decide now how public computers will be moved around two years from now, but these computers will be only in the middle of their usable four-year life cycle at that time. For the 2004-2005 academic year, the new computers will be placed in the same locations as the replaced computers, Behmler 39 and Camden 10. New systems with a smaller footprint will make a noticeable difference in the usability of both these labs, which are severely crowded with their current tower-based systems.
By funding projects in Computing Services campus labs, ResNet, and the UMM dial-in modem pool, we ensure that the student technology fee provides free and easy access for every UMM student and nobody is left out or left behind.
A program of significant upgrades to ResNet began with last year's technology fee allocations. This program, over a period of two or three years, will make 100 mb/s (megabit per second) service available across the entire network. Currently most ResNet connections have 10 mb/s switched service.
This speed increase will greatly increase the capacity of the entire network, allowing ResNet users improved access to services, online media, and file downloads. In the current academic year, many ResNet power users have noticed that the network is heavily congested and that certain types of high-end applications run very poorly. This upgrade will directly address that problem.
Providing 100 mb/s network service requires us to replace virtually all the network switches located in each of the residence hall buildings. We estimate that the total cost to provide this service to all connections on ResNet will be about $40,000 based on current pricing and discounts available. The University of Minnesota has entered into a new contractual arrangement with network equipment vendor Cisco, and very substantial discounts have the potential to bring down the price of this project. We propose to complete this project either this year or next year, depending on how far the current allocation is able to carry us.
ResNet is one of UMM's best and most popular services to students. In spring 2004, we find that the number of students in residence halls using it is close to 100%. By providing tech fee funding for ResNet, dial-in modems, and campus labs, we ensure that we are providing essential network and technology access to every UMM student.
Specifically, we are requesting funds for four spectrophotometer systems to be utilized as modern chemistry teaching tools. A spectrophotometer system consists of an Ocean Optics CHEM-2000 spectrophotometer interfaced to a personal computer by a simple USB connection. These PC-based systems are designed for educational use and are useful for understanding important chemical applications of spectroscopy. The manufacturer has an established relationship with educators across the world and over 600 learning institutions use Ocean Optics spectrometers for teaching.
The spectrophotometer systems will be used in first and second semester general chemistry laboratory courses to conduct experiments related to several important concepts including electromagnetic radiation, kinetics, and atomic structure. The systems will also be utilized widely in additional courses including organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry. Interfacing the spectrophotometers with laptops will allow the systems to be transported easily from lab to lab and will allow these systems to be utilized as effective teaching tools in lecture. Considering the high enrollment of students in chemistry courses, this new technology will benefit a number of UMM students.
The current computer in our office is experiencing a number of problems. At times the delays have been costly to the organization and the student body.
MCSA is the representative organization for the student body. The actions and decisions of MCSA can effect every student on the UMM campus.
A new computer and printer would allow the organization to operate more effectively thus allowing MCSA members to better represent UMM students.
We require a program that allows us to save image files in a convenient, compact format with minimal reduction in quality in order to post them on our website and transfer them easily by email. Additionally, our publicity and online directors need a program with a range of features allowing them to make creative and eye catching posters, flyers, merchandise and web pages.
The executive staff members at the U-90 Alternative feel that Photoshop Elements would satisfy all these requirements at the best possible price.
Over one hundred students are currently involved in the Jazz Ensembles. The ensembles perform three concerts and three social dances each year. UMM Jazz also cosponsors Jazz Fest which brings in over 700 potential students annually as well as providing entertainment for the entire student body. This event sells out all three nights nearly every year making it one of the most attended events at UMM. The jazz bands also provide outreach for our campus by performing throughout the state on a fairly regular basis. Recent performances include the Rochester Sesquicentennial, the fiftieth floor of the IDS Center, the North Central Music Education National Conference, and at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. We also play for fundraisers such as HFA Phase III, the Imholte Scholarship, restoration of the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood, and the Marshal, MN Sexual Crisis Center.
As representatives of the University of Minnesota, Morris, it is vital that we both look and sound as professional as possible. The requested technology would facilitate this need as well as provide a stable base to expand upon in the future as our needs grow.
The improved sound system will include a new mixing console with superior size, flexibility, durability, and sound quality. It will also include a new amplifier, a rack-mount CD player, a compressor/gate, a power conditioner, a rack for all of the outboard equipment, a new snake, and cables.
One set of headphones for tech crew to use when doing sound checks; the headphones eliminate outside distortion. These are a standard piece of equipment in the operation of sound equipment which we do not currently have.
Edson Auditorium is the primary location for student organizations to present speakers and entertainers/artists.
Total: $665
David Wuolu (Briggs) and Ben Winchester (CST) will coordinate this effort. The CST will provide a library of basemap geographies as well as the data from the US Census, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Transportation, and Minnesota Workforce Center. A software program developed by the University of Minnesota, called Mapserver, will be installed on the purchased server to allow UMM faculty and students a way to display the maps in a web-based interface. Mr. Wuolu will maintain the server and support the Mapserver software program. Mr. Winchester will provide two training sessions per year and maintain both the data and geographical library. Computing Services will manage the licenses through the Keyserver.
TOTAL REQUEST: $3,725
Total: $2037
Total: $1718
The system is web-based, and accessible from any computer that is hooked up to the internet. It is a system available on a basic level for all to use, but it also holds secure information for only those who are granted access. Different functions of the program would be available for different staff. Each staff member would have a personal password they use to enter the system and access work that they are responsible for.
The Office of Residential Life is working to implement this program from Residential Management Systems. (www.rms-inc.com) This program would aid numerous offices on campus, i.e. Business Office, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Plant Services. In addition, this system would speed up transfer of information to the students and allow our office to process work requests, room assignments, room changes, meal plans, billing, and incident reports more quickly by linking everything through an automated web-based system. This software interfaces with the current UMM data software: Blackboard and PeopleSoft.
Specific changes to the Career Center Web site will include the addition of a digitized video describing the UMM Internship program that is used by students preparing to do internships; the creation of virtual workshops using Power Point that will make all of the Career Center job search and internship workshops available on-line anytime to students and alumni; the addition of internship and job listing databases available through professional associations (National Association of Colleges and Employers) and other commercial vendors (i.e. MonsterTrak and others) that require technical expertise to initially integrate these systems into the existing Career Center web site; the creation of an on-line registration program that will be used by employers and internship agencies to register for career fairs; the development of new web pages for all education (elementary and secondary licensure areas) students and alumni that will include education and licensure specific resources, announcements, and forms used for credentialing; and the development of a new alumni e-mentoring program using the internet to connect all students (and alumni) with alumni for mentoring and internship and job search support services. This project will both revise and update existing services and create a new technological infrastructure using powerful and standards compliant internet technologies to deliver academic and career resources to all UMM students and alumni.
Evidence from students suggests that these changes and new services are important to their academic and career success. Use of the Career Center web site has skyrocketed from 16,000 hits in 1999 to over 300,000 hits in 2003.
Demand for wireless access has grown, and increasing numbers of students arrive on campus bringing laptops with built-in wireless capability. It is important that we develop the infrastructure necessary to utilize this technology. This is also a cost-effective way to extend Internet access in an older building. As the library is a prime study spot, it is a good candidate for this type of investment.
Currently students have limited entertainment options in the residence halls. Technology in the floor lounges has not kept pace with students’ expectations for electronic entertainment, and as a result, students frequently turn to the TV’s and video systems in their rooms, if they have them, instead of building hall communities by utilizing the common lounge spaces. We see this proposal as answering students’ desire for better and higher quality entertainment options on campus and facilitating the development of the bonds which help promote student success and retention.
How to solve the problem? We are proposing to place an impressive entertainment center in the main TV lounge in every Residence Hall. There are 5 main TV lounges, located in Blakely, Spooner, Pine, Independence and Gay Hall. The new technology TV’s would allow people to enjoy high quality TV, crisp clear movies, and enhance video game experiences. This would be technology that is not available, at this magnitude, anywhere on campus. We propose also adding a stereo system to each lounge to make the experience feel like there is a movie theater, right in the residence hall and to address the background noise issue.
5 – JBL and Sony 5.1 Theater package. Sony Receiver and JBL speakers or the best technology at time of purchase. We budget $1,500 for each.
5 halls @ 1,500 = $7,500
5 – Sony DVD/CD player, with progressive scan or the best technology at time of purchase. We budget $150 for each.
5 halls @ $150 = $ 750
Total Budget: $38,250
The Service Learning Program would like to purchase 6 new tape recorders and a laptop computer to assist with student training, community outreach and program efficiency. The service learning program currently provides academic support to eight classes this semester (over 500 students a year) and involves approximately 200 community members a year.
Because of the increasing demand for tape recorders to use in service learning projects, we will need more tape recorders for fall 2004 than media services currently has available. There will be at least five classes using tape recorders next fall. At least one class will require extensive travel and detailed interviewing. We would like to purchase high quality tape recorders with extended microphones for interviews.
We also feel it is necessary to purcahse a lap top computer to use for service learning trainings, travel and community out reach. The service learning program is currently developing power point presentations to be used in all service learning classes for training students. Students also hope to use a lap top for presenting to community members as part of their project. Additionally, one of the service learning classes to be taught in fall 2004 will require travel to South Dakota and northern Minnesota to conduct interviews. It will be necessary for these students to bring a computer with them.
Additionally, any student participating in a service project outside of class on their own or through the office of community service and volunteerism could schedule time to use this equipment if it is needed.
One UPS will be located in the Student Center, and will power the essential Studio A equipment for up to fifteen minutes. The other will be at the transmitter site, and will run the transmitter and related equipment for a similar length of time.
The frequent, short power outages experienced in Morris (especially in the summer) wreak havoc with our operations, and the headaches will only worsen when the transmitter is located at the water tower. This investment will assure a more reliable station for all participants and listeners.