June 4, 1997
Memo to: Chancellor David Johnson
From: John Bowers, Director of Computing Services
Jason Kohler, President of MCSA
Subject: Recommendations for 1997-98 technology fee allocations
After consultation with the MCSA Executive Council and with various staff
and faculty constituencies, we met on Thursday, May 22 to formulate our
joint recommendations for the allocation of the 1997-98 student technology
fee. Following MCSA action, we met again to revise recommendations on June
3. A total of $189,000 is to be allocated.
The MCSA Forum has approved the following recommendation. We now forward
our joint recommendation to you to make final decisions.
1. Upgrades, replacements, and expansions in Computing Services labs.
This proposal has been revised and increased to include additional printers
(without converting to laser printing technology). Replace or upgrade the
oldest 30 computers in Computing Services labs. Install new multimedia
Pentium
MMX computers and PowerMacs to replace all existing 386 and 68020 processors
in labs. Projection is that about 25 PCs and 5 Macs will be replaced. In
addition, fill in empty spots in available lab spaces to bring total number
of public computers from 140 to 150. Upgrade to Windows 95 operating and
application software, and fund necessary expanded network connections.
Total allocation: $90,000.
2. Expand the modem pool for off-campus dial-in. Increase the size
of the modem pool in 1997-98 from 13 to 36. Add modems, necessary terminal
servers and phone lines.
Total allocation: $15,000.
3. Upgrade Unix and e-mail services. Select and install a new
high-capacity
server to fulfill both these functions. Because this item has administrative
implications in addition to its academic/student functions, pay only 40%
from technology fee and split the cost of the new server (projected total
cost: about $30,000) with existing equipment replacement budget from
Computing
Services.
Total allocation from fee revenues: $12,000.
4. Maintenance and new equipment for ResNet. Pay for ongoing expenses
and necessary operational equipment for ResNet. New expenditures only will
be covered, for replacement and installation of such items as network cards,
patch cables, hubs, servers, and software. Eliminate subscription charges
for ResNet.
Total allocation: $15,000.
5. Classroom data/video projectors. Equip HFA 185 and Social Science
245 classrooms with data/video projectors, videotape players, audio systems,
and network connections for classroom multimedia.
Total allocation: $24,000.
6. Library reference computers. Add four
multimedia computers with sound cards and headphones in reference area.
Four dumb terminals are to be eliminated and goal is to have a total of
17 computers in this area.
Total allocation: $11,800.
7. Increase Computing Services help desk coverage and open hours for Behmler
10 lab. Fund non-work study student
employees
to cover Behmler 10 help desk to allow this lab to be open 24 more hours
per week. Weekend hours will increase from 6 to 20 (12:00 to 10:00 pm both
Saturday and Sunday). Lab will stay open until 10:00 weekdays as well. During
the academic year, Computing Services will monitor usage for possible
consideration
of a 1997-98 proposal that would rearrange the extended hours to offer later
hours Sunday through Thursday.
Total allocation: $7,000.
8. Portable computers for classroom use. Students
and faculty will be able to check out these units from Media Services for
use with data projection equipment for classroom presentations. Two notebook
computers will be purchased. This project is a complement to item #5, because
classroom data/video setups do not include computers.
Total allocation: $6,000.
9. Reserve for 1997-98 allocation. Set
aside all remaining funds in the 1997-98 technology fee pool, projected
to be at least $8,200, to be added to next year's allocation process.
Total allocation: $8,200.
======================
Total recommended allocation for all projects: $189,000.
Additional comments:
Extensive discussion centered on the possibility of providing expanded laser
printing in labs, at no cost or at a reduced cost. It was not possible for
us to come to an agreement on this item this year. The minimum projected
annual cost for free laser printing in labs is $60,000. Data from other
campuses where laser printing is free suggest that the actual costs will
be even higher than this. We do not have a workable automated system for
limiting or counting pages printed per user, and unlimited free printing
is projected to be wasteful and unnecessarily expensive. The Director of
Computing Services agreed to study the issue and to submit a proposal next
year for increased laser printing access, at reduced cost, possibly using
U-Cards for accounting.
The Director of Computing Services also agreed to submit a proposal next
year for free scanning.
The two of us agreed not to bring forward any permanent or multi-year
proposals
for funding this year, given the lack of a formal proposal/review process.
However, several of the recommended proposals have ongoing elements which
we recommend for high-priority consideration and funding in future years.
These include items #2 ($6,000 annual cost of phone lines), #4 (recommend
funding of ongoing ResNet expenses so it is not forced to go back on a
subscription
fee basis), #5 (recommend adding one new classroom setup per year at
$12,000),
#6 (Library wishes to go on a four-year equipment replacement cycle at a
cost of $11,800 per year), and #7 (to continue to fund additional help desk
hours at $7,000 per year).