Student Technology Fee

Members

Glenn Albright, Associate Professor, Psychology

Boo Choi, Director of Administrative & Financial Services, Weissman School of Arts and Sciences

Marco Dinovelli, Student Affairs Coordinator

Arthur Downing, Chair, Chief Information Officer

Gregory Dutov, Undergraduate Student

Jahn Golden, Undergraduate Student

Ben Guttman, Undergraduate Student

Steve Guttbinder, Undergraduate Student

Tanvir Hossain, President, Undergraduate Student Government

Christian Keck, Deputy Chief Information Officer

Yvette Kelly, Director of Technology Services, School of Public Affairs

Robert Salame, Undergraduate Student

Mosharof Shamim, President, Graduate Student Assembly

Ryan Wiley, Undergraduate Student

Phyllis Zadra, Associate Dean, Zicklin School of Business

Student Technology Fee Priorities for 2010-2011

The Committee identified the priorities listed below for the use of the student technology fee. The percentage allocations will be applied to projected fee collections totaling $2,650,000. The budget spreadsheet and project descriptions are attached.

Members of the Committee

Glenn Albright, Chair, Psychology Department

Boo Choi, Director of Administrative & Financial Services, Weissman School of Arts & Sciences

Arthur Downing, CIO (Chair)

Jahn Golden, Student

Ben Guttmann, Student

Stephen Guttbinder, Student

Caitlin Hannon, Student

Tanvir Hossain, Student

Christian Keck, Director of Student Computing, BCTC

Yvette Kelley, Director of Technology, School of Public Affairs

Carlos Ruiz, Student

Corlisse Thomas, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs

Ryan Wiley, Student

Phyllis Zadra, Associate Dean, Zicklin School of Business

Student Technology Fee Funding Priorities 2009-2010

Student Access Computers (17%)

One-third of the student access computers on campus will be replaced, continuing the three-year refreshment cycle of the equipment in the student computing labs.

Staff for Computing Services (17%)

Funds will be used to support staffing for computer laboratories, service desks, and other student computing services. Coverage will be added for the graphics lab of the Fine and Performing Arts Department.

Wireless Network (11%)

The College will expand the campus wireless network following a comprehensive site survey.

Digital Library Services (10%)

The Newman Library will maintain subscriptions to full-text electronic resources, online reference services, and e-reserves.

Upgrading the Campus Network (10%)

Funds will support the ongoing upgrade of networking hardware to ensure that the college provides students and faculty with fast, reliable service. This investment will continue the seven year refreshment cycle for the College’s infrastructure.

User Education and Support (8%)

Funds will be applied toward the continuing employment of two full-time staff members, who assist students at the help desk and teach weekly technology workshops. In addition, funds will support an outsourced 24 x 7 help desk, e-learning accounts, promotional materials, help guides, and training materials.

Online Student Services (7%)

Funds will support the ongoing maintenance of services such as Blackboard, DegreeWorks, Starr Search, PAVE, iOffice, MoveOnIn, a course scheduling manager, and additional services that will be identified by the committee during the year.

Student Laser Printing (7%)

Funds will be applied toward toner, paper, hardware replacement, and licenses for print management software. The BCTC will work with student organizations to raise awareness of the sustainability issues associated with the printing service. The goal will be to educate faculty and students to work more easily with digital formats and reduce the demand for printing.

Software for Student Use (4%)

Current software licenses will be renewed and funds will be available to support additional requests from students.

Faculty Development (4%)

The BCTC will offer a fifth round of grants to faculty who propose innovative uses of technology in their teaching, especially projects that promote online learning. Funds will also support the acquisition of DVDs, music licensing, and other digital content for use in courses.

Assistive Technology (3%)

The Office of Services to Students with Disabilities will identify hardware and software to improve access to computing resources and services.

Upgrading Classroom Technology (2%)

Funds will support the replacement of classroom equipment that has reached end of life.

Revision Due to Fee Increase

Members of the Committee

Glenn Albright, Chair, Psychology Department

Glenn Apolinar, Undergraduate Student

Boo Choi, Director of Administrative & Financial Services, Weissman School of Arts & Sciences

Arthur Downing, CIO (Chair)

Ifeanyi Emeka, Graduate Student

Jahn Golden, Undergraduate Student

Rezwana Hoque, President, Undergraduate Student Government

Christian Keck, Director of Student Computing, BCTC

Yvette Kelley, Director of Technology, School of Public Affairs

Cortney Nathanson, President, Graduate Student Assembly

Corlisse Thomas, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs

Phyllis Zadra, Associate Dean, Zicklin School of Business

Student Technology Fee Funding Priorities 2008-09 (Revised)

Student Access Computers (17%)

One-third of the student access computers on campus will be replaced, continuing the three-year refreshment cycle of the equipment in the student computing labs. A graphic arts lab will be established for the Fine and Performing Arts Department and a Mac Lab will be dedicated to the newly established Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions. A computer lounge will be set up on one floor of the Newman Library. The graduate student workstations in the Newman Library will be replaced.

Staff for Computing Services (17%)

Funds will be used to support staffing for computer laboratories, service desks, and other student computing services. This will include additional staffing for the newly created student services described above.

Digital Library Services (10%)

The Newman Library will maintain subscriptions to full-text electronic resources, online reference services, and e-reserves.

Upgrading the Campus Network (10%)

Funds will support the ongoing upgrade of networking hardware to ensure that the college provides students and faculty with fast, reliable service. This investment will establish a seven year refreshment cycle for the college’s network infrastructure.

Upgrading Classroom Technology (9%)

The college will replace one-third of the classroom projectors that have reached end of life. In addition, non-functioning classroom screens will be replaced. Security devices will be added to the classroom lecterns to prevent theft. The BCTC will investigate the loan of laser mice for classrooms. At least two additional conference rooms will be equipped as classrooms. The projector and instructor’s workstation will be upgraded in the teaching lab of the School of Public Affairs.

User Education and Support (8%)

Funds will be applied toward the continuing employment of two full-time staff members, who assist students at the help desk and teach weekly technology workshops. The funds that had been supporting one staff position that is currently vacant will be used to outsource help desk coverage for 24x7x365 service and supplement desk coverage during peak times. In addition, funds will support increased subscriptions to e-learning accounts, promotional materials, help guides, and training materials.

Online Student Services (7%)

Funds will support the ongoing maintenance of Blackboard, DegreeWorks, Starr Search, the online student judicial action application, and a course scheduling manager. The college will aim to introduce an online tool for handling international students’ paperwork, caseload management software in the Counseling Center, an online academic advisement tool, and a web-based tutorial to educate students and faculty regarding the Campus Intervention Team. The college will also investigate the possibility of handling requests for official transcripts and graduation applications online. The DegreeWorks server will be replaced and the student orientation CD will be converted into a web-based tutorial.

Student Laser Printing (6%)

Funds will be applied toward licenses for toner, paper, hardware replacement and print management software. In order to offset the rising cost of paper and toner the print management system will deduct $0.12 from a student’s printing allocation for each b&w print. Additional printing options and per-print price incentives will be investigated to promote a greener campus.

Wireless Network (5%)

Funds will be used to upgrade and expand the campus wireless network. Priority will be given to the student areas on the third floor of the Newman Vertical Campus and the study areas of the library.

Software for Student Use (4%)

Current software licenses will be renewed and funds will be available to support additional requests from students, including Qualtrics surveying software and CAN8 language learning software.

Faculty Development (4%)

The BCTC will offer a fourth round of grants to faculty who propose innovative uses of technology in their teaching, especially projects that promote online learning. Funds will also support the acquisition of DVDs, music licensing, and other digital content for use in courses. E-learning accounts will be shared with faculty.

Assistive Technology (3%)

The Office of Services to Students with Disabilities will identify hardware and software to improve access to computing resources and services.

Members

Glenn Albright, Chair, Psychology Department

Glenn Apolinar, Undergraduate Student

Arthur Downing, CIO

Frank Fletcher, Executive Director of Graduate Prorgams, Zicklin School of Business

Bernard Guffmann, Undergraduate Student

Christian Keck, Director of Student Computing, BCTC

Yvette Kelley, Director of Technology, School of Public Affairs

Harry Melo, Undergraduate Student

Shadia Sachedina, Student Affairs Coordinator

Carlos Victoria, Graduate Student

Proposed Funding Priorities for 2008-09

Student Access Computers (20%)

One-third of the student access computers on campus will be replaced, continuing the three-year refreshment cycle of the equipment in the student computing labs.

Staff for Computing Services (20%)

Funds will be used to support staffing for computer laboratories, service desks, and other student computing services.

Digital Library Services (10%)

The Newman Library will maintain subscriptions to full-text electronic resources, online reference services, and e-reserves.

Upgrading Classroom Technology (10%)

The college will replace one-third of the classroom projectors that have reached end of life. The BCTC will investigate the loan of laser mice for classrooms.

User Education and Support (10%)

Funds will be applied toward the continuing employment of two full-time staff members, who assist students at the help desk and teach weekly technology workshops. The funds that had been supporting one staff position that is currently vacant will be used to outsource help desk coverage for 24x7x365 service and supplement desk coverage during peak times. In addition, funds will support increased subscriptions to e-learning accounts, promotional materials, help guides, and training materials.

Online Student Services (7%)

Funds will support the ongoing maintenance of Blackboard, Degreeworks, Starr Search, the online student judicial action application, and a course scheduling manager. The college will aim to introduce an online tool for handling international students’ paperwork, caseload management software in the Counseling Center, an online academic advisement tool, and a web-based tutorial to educate students and faculty regarding the Campus Intervention Team. The college will also investigate the possibility of handling requests for official transcripts and graduation applications online.

Student Laser Printing (6%)

Funds will be applied toward licenses for toner, paper, hardware replacement and print management software. In order to offset the rising cost of paper and toner the print management system will deduct $0.12 from a student’s printing allocation for each b&w print. The deduction for a color print will remain $1.00.

Software for Student Use (5%)

Current software licenses will be renewed and funds will be available to support additional requests from students.

Wireless Network (5%)

Funds will be used to upgrade and expand the campus wireless network. Priority will be given to the student areas on the third floor of the Newman Vertical Campus and the study areas of the library.

Faculty Development (4%)

The BCTC will offer a fourth round of grants to faculty who propose innovative uses of technology in their teaching, especially projects that promote online learning. Funds will also support the acquisition of DVDs, iTunes music, and other digital content for use in courses. E-learning accounts will be shared with faculty.

Assistive Technology (3%)

The Office of Services to Students with Disabilities will identify hardware and software to improve access to computing resources and services.

May 15, 2007

Glenn Albright (Associate Professor, Psychology)
Ben Corpus (Vice President for Student Development & Enrollment Management)
Arthur Downing, Chair (Assistant Vice President for Information Technology)
Christian Keck (Director of Student Computing, BCTC)
Yvette Kelley (Director of Technology Services, School of Public Affairs)
Carlos Victoria (Graduate Student)
Vladimir Yelizarov (Undergraduate Student)

Accomplishments in 2006-07

In the 2006-07 academic year, the student technology fee fund was used primarily to support continuing activities such as employment of almost 100 Baruch students in IT related part-time jobs, operation of 19 student computing labs and the help desk, free laser printing, Blackboard, and weekly technology workshops. In addition, the following initiatives were completed:

One-third of the computers in the student computing labs were refreshed, including a complete upgrade of the Graphic Arts Lab for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
The Newman Library began loaning digital camcorders to students.
Classroom response systems (“clickers”) were deployed in more than 20 classes after a series of faculty training sessions.
The Newman Library initiated a subscription to a 30,000 title full-text electronic book collection.
Five classrooms in the Field Building (17 Lex) were equipped with smart classroom technology.
Nine grants were awarded to faculty to implement innovative uses of technology in their instruction.
AirBaruch, the college’s cell phone based service delivery system enrolled over 4,000 students and received national attention in the Chronicle of Higher Education, New York Post, IT trade magazines, and television news reports such as CBS and NY1.
A 25 seat computer classroom opened in the Field Building.
New web-based services include a locker reservation system and a student judicial action management system.

Funding Priorities for 2007-08

Student Access Computers (20%)

One-third of the student access computers on campus will be replaced, continuing the three-year refreshment cycle of the equipment in the student computing labs. The replacement of aging loaner laptops will also continue. Additional computers will be provided to student organizations. The college will establish at least one room for students to practice with smart classroom equipment for their class presentations.

Staff for Computing Services (20%)

Funds will be used to support staffing for computer laboratories, service desks, and other student computing services.

Digital Library Services (10%)

The Newman Library will maintain subscriptions to full-text electronic resources, online reference services, and e-reserves.

Upgrading Classroom Technology (10%)

The college will replace one-third of the classroom projectors that have reached end of life.

User Education and Support (10%)

Funds will be applied toward the continuing employment of two full-time staff, who assist students at the help desk and teach weekly technology workshops. In addition, funds will support continuing subscriptions to e-learning accounts, promotional materials, help guides, and training materials. The BCTC will establish a pilot project to distribute USB memory drives to students who attend technology workshops.

Online Student Services (7%)

The college will make additional administrative and academic support services available to students via the Web. The following projects represent the types of initiatives that will be undertaken.

Career Development Center: Funds will continue to support the heavily used e-Recruitment system. In addition, the Center will develop online tutorials to deliver their workshop content on demand.
Online reservation system for group study rooms and other facilities.
DegreeWorks: Funds will be provided to renew the maintenance contracts and support some enhancements to the degree audit system.
AirBaruch: Funds will be available to continue to optimize web-based services for delivery via students’ cell phones.
A new student e-mail system will be implemented with greater mail storage limits and features such as calendaring.
A system to help manage student scholarship awards will be developed.

Student Laser Printing (6%)

Funds will be applied toward licenses for toner, paper, hardware replacement and print management software. The BCTC will work with the college’s photoduplication services department to determine whether large print jobs for student organizations that are normally handled on computer lab laser printers could be routed to one of their photocopiers.

Software for Student Use (5%)

Current software licenses will be renewed and funds will be available to support additional requests from students.

Wireless Network (5%)

Funds will be used to upgrade and expand the campus wireless network.

Faculty Development (4%)

The BCTC will offer a third round of grants to faculty who propose innovative uses of technology in their teaching. Funds will also support the acquisition of DVDs, iTunes music, and other digital content for use in courses. E-learning accounts will be shared with faculty. A pilot project will test instructors’ ability to use a tablet PC to capture notes made during class for later distribution online.

Assistive Technology (3%)

The Office of Services to Students with Disabilities will identify hardware and software to improve access to computing resources and services.

Bernard L. Banks (Undergraduate Student)
Simon Binder (Graduate Student)
Arthur Downing, Chair (Assistant Vice President for Information Technology)
Christian Keck (Director of Student Computing, BCTC)
Yvette Kelley (Director of Technology Services, School of Public Affairs)
Christine Li-Auyeung (Career Development Center)
Lai Ying Lo (Undergraduate Student)
Trudy Milburn (Associate Professor, Communication Studies)
Edouard Roland (Undergraduate Student)
Corlisse Thomas (Assistant Vice President for Student Development)
Phyllis Zadra (Associate Dean, Zicklin School of Business)

Accomplishments in 2005-06

In the 2005-06 academic year, the student technology fee fund was used primarily to support continuing activities such as employment of almost 100 Baruch students in IT related part-time jobs, operation of 19 student computing labs and the help desk, free laser printing, Blackboard, and weekly technology workshops. In addition, the following initiatives were completed:

Upgraded all computers in the main student lab and increased capacity
Standardized printing services in all computing labs on campus with new high speed laser printers
Introduced color printing in the BCTC lab
Launched Degreeworks, degree audit system, for undergraduate students
Began testing a faster wireless data network in 135 and 137 East 22nd St.
Created a set of digital video tutorials for Math 2003: Pre-calculus and Elements of Calculus, that have been downloaded 41,407 times
Funded 10 faculty projects that introduced innovative uses of technology in the classroom
Added Internet access stations in the Newman Vertical Campus and Library building, bringing the total across campus to 50
Acquired 50 new Panasonic toughbook laptops for loan to students
Made Symantec anti-virus software available to students for free
Provided deep discounts on Microsoft software for students
Acquired 30 replacement servers for student services past warranty period
Purchased 100 additional graphing calculators for loan to students
Upgraded assistive technology software for the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities
Added fixed technology to five classrooms in 17 Lexington Avenue

Funding Priorities for 2006-07

Student Access Computers (20%)

One-third of the student access computers on campus will be replaced, continuing the three-year refreshment cycle of the equipment in the student computing labs. This year the labs include BCTC, Communication Studies, Economics & Finance, English, Fine & Performing Arts (Graphic Arts), Marketing & International Business, Mathematics, and Statistics/CIS. Some funds will also be provided to solve a network problem in the computer lab of the School of Public Affairs. Internet access kiosks will be installed in the 17 Lexington Avenue Building. The replacement of aging loaner laptops will continue.

Staff for Computing Services (20%)

Funds will be used to support staffing for computer laboratories, service desks, and other student computing services.

Digital Library Services (10%)

The Newman Library will maintain subscriptions to full-text electronic resources, online reference services, and e-reserves.

Upgrading Classroom Technology (15%)

The college will equip five conference rooms in the Newman Vertical Campus to permit their use as “smart” classrooms. Also, two 60-seat classrooms in the 17 Lexington Avenue building will be equipped. Fifty of the projectors in the Newman Vertical Campus classrooms that have reached end-of-life will be replaced. Software and hardware will be acquired to support in-class polling by faculty for up to 800 students simultaneously. A fixed installation for these personal response systems will be used in two 300 seat classrooms in the Newman Vertical Campus. In addition, the Media Services unit will deliver mobile units on demand.

User Education and Support (10%)

Funds will be applied toward the continuing employment of two full-time staff, who assist students at the help desk and teach weekly technology workshops. In addition, funds will support continuing subscriptions to e-training accounts, promotional materials, help guides, and training materials.

Online Student Services (7%)

The college will make additional administrative and academic support services available to students via the Web. The student technology fee committee has identified the following projects for immediate attention, but the committee will consider other initiatives during the year, as funds are available.

Career Development Center: Funds will continue to support the heavily used e-Recruitment system. In addition, the Center will develop online tutorials to delver their workshop content on demand.
Executives on Campus: The college will use synchronous and asynchronous web-based communication to facilitate the participation of executives and students in career hour, industry briefings, executive-student partnerships, power networking, and mentoring programs.
DegreeWorks: Funds will be provided to renew the maintenance contracts and support some enhancements to the degree audit system.
AirBaruch: Funds will be available to continue to optimize web-based services for delivery via students’ cell phones.
Student Life: The Dean of Students has identified many processes, such as locker assignment and orientation check-in, that could be handled more efficiently via the Web.

Student Laser Printing (6%)

Funds will be applied toward licenses for toner, paper, hardware replacement and the print management software. Funds will also be used to extend color printing to additional locations on campus. The BCTC will investigate use of the current print management software to support output to digital photocopiers.

Software for Student Use (5%)

Current software licenses will be renewed and funds will be available to support additional requests from students. The committee identified wider access to Adobe Acrobat Pro as a priority.

Faculty Development (4%)

The BCTC will offer a second round of grants to faculty who propose innovative uses of technology in their teaching. Funds will also support the acquisition of DVDs., iTunes music, and other digital content for use in courses.

Assistive Technology (3%)

The Office of Services to Students with Disabilities will identify hardware and software to improve access to computing resources and services.

Carlos Arteaga (Graduate Student)
Avinash Bhuvaneshwar (Graduate Student)
Yochi Cohen-Charash (Assistant Professor, Weissman School of Arts and Sciences)
Arthur Downing, Chair (Assistant Vice President for Information Technology)
Dmitriy Gorenshteyn (Undergraduate Student)
Yvette Kelly (Director of Technology, School of Public Affairs)
Lai Ying Lo (Undergraduate Student)
Charles Mujahes (Graduate Student)
Noam Nir (Graduate Student)
Jason Plummer (Undergraduate Student)
Edouard Roland (Undergraduate Student)
Phyllis Zadra (Assistant Dean, Zicklin School of Business)
Lilia Ziamou (Assistant Professor, Zicklin School of Business)

Student Technology Fee Priorities for 2004-05

The committee recommends that the categories listed below receive the funding percentages indicated. Although the categories are not ranked, there was consensus that the classroom technology in the 17 Lexington Avenue building deserves immediate attention.

Student Access Computers (22%)
One-third of the student access computers on campus will be replaced. This will continue the three-year refreshment cycle of the equipment in the student computing labs, as well as support additional web stations and replacements for the laptop loan program.

Staffing for Student Computing Services (22%)
Funds will be used to support computer laboratories, service desks, and other student computing services.

Digital Library Services (10%)
The Newman Library will maintain subscriptions to full-text electronic resources, online reference services, and e-reserves.

Digitization of Class Lectures (8%)
Additional course lectures will be recorded for streaming over the Web. Priority will be given to courses with large student enrollment.

Improving Classroom Technology in 17 Lexington Avenue (8%)
Classroom equipment and infrastructure will be upgraded to match the resources available in the Vertical Campus smart classrooms.

Online Student Services (8%)
Funds will be used to provide additional self-service access to student services via the Web, such as those delivered by the Career Development Center, International Student Services Center, and Student Academic Counseling Center. Funds will also support the completion of the degree audit system and the renewal of the campus Blackboard license.

User Education and Support (8%)
Funds will be applied toward the continuing employment of two full-time staff, who assist students at the help desk and teach weekly technology workshops. In addition, funds will support e-training accounts and an electronic collection of IT books for student reference and self-instruction.

Student Laser Printing (6%)
The system that manages the allocation of free printing to students will be extended to more locations on campus. Funds will be applied toward the license for the print management software, toner, paper, and the purchase of faster printers. Funds will also be used to subsidize student discounts for fee-based color printing.

Software for Student Academic Computing (5%)
Current software licenses will be renewed and funds will be available to support additional requests from students.

Assistive Technology (3%)
The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities will identify items necessary to improve access to computing resources for the students it represents.

Past Student Tech Fee Reports

Report of the Baruch College Technology Fee Task Force – May 30, 2003

Ronald Aaron (Associate Dean of Students)

David Birdsell (Executive Director of Academic Programs, School of Public Affairs)

Robert Ducoffe (Acting Associate Dean, Zicklin School of Business)

Arthur Downing, Chair (Acting Assistant Vice President for Information Technology/CIO)

Andreas Grein (Associate Professor, Marketing)

Muhammad Iqbal (Undergraduate Student Representative)

Thor Kaslovsky (Graduate Student Representative)

David Potash (Associate Provost)

Glenn Albright (Associate Professor, Psychology)

John Wahlert (Professor, Natural Sciences, Weissman School of Arts and Sciences)

Joseph Weintrop (Professor, Accountancy, Zicklin School of Business)

Background

In the first year of the student technology fee (2002-03) the College concentrated on addressing serious deficiencies in access to student computing resources and user support. The following are some of last years achievements, many of which were implemented in time for the start of classes last September:

One-third of all student desktop computers were replaced.
Twelve new computer labs were opened.
A student help desk was established.
Assistive technology for students with disabilities was improved.
Wireless access was initiated across campus.
New software was licensed for student access computers.
A web-based e-mail system was launched.
Technology workshops were offered to students.
E-training opportunities were introduced.
Electronic course reserves replaced the librarys print-based service.
Hardware in the laptop loan program was upgraded.
Graphing calculators were loaned to 200 students.
Scanners were added to the computer labs.
Thirty-five online research databases were acquired.
All students received an allotment of free laser printing.
Over 150 students were employed in technology support services.

In December 2002 the Zicklin School of Business arranged for doctoral students in one of its Management courses to survey Baruch students (N = 315) regarding the resources and services implemented with the student technology fee as well as their priorities for future spending. Among the findings were:

Graduate students are less satisfied with computer availability and printing services than undergraduates.
Satisfaction with the help desk is high among graduates and undergraduates.
Graduate students prefer evening lab hours while undergraduates prefer midday hours.
Training workshops are of interest to 71% of undergraduate respondents and 59% of graduate students.
Students are most interested in workshops that provide Web-related skills.
Ninety-three percent of the respondents report having on-campus access to all the software they need.

In the second year, the goal will continue to be to improve academic computing resources for students giving priority in the distribution of funds to resources that directly support curriculum-based learning opportunities.

Student Technology Fee Priorities for 2003-04

Although the collection of the technology fee did not begin until August 2002, the College began implementation of technology fee initiatives in June following the approval of a funding advance by the CUNY Board of Trustees. Below is a report on the progress achieved thus far toward meeting the priorities established in the Report of the Technology Fee Task Force (April 25, 2002). Follow the links provided below for more information about the resources that have been made available through the technology fee.

Student Technology Fee Priorities for Year 1

New Student E-Mail System (5%)

At the start of the Fall 2002 semester the College introduced Baruch Student WebMail and assigned accounts to all currently enrolled students.

Staffing for Student Computer Laboratories (24%)

By the end of October the College will double the number of seats available for general computing purposes as compared with the number available in the 6th floor BCTC lab. Departmental labs in the Newman Vertical Campus and 17 Lexington Avenue will be opened to all Baruch students at certain times. Part-time student staff are currently being hired as lab assistants.

Desktop Computers for Student Computer Laboratories (30%)

The College has almost completed the replacement of all desktop computers in the student computer laboratories that were acquired prior to 2000. Thus far, the equipment has been replaced in the open computing lab operated by the BCTC on the 6th floor of the Library and Technology Building, as well as the lab managed by the School of Public Affairs on the third floor of 17 Lexington Avenue. The new units have top of the line CPUs, flat panel monitors, DVD-CDRW, and ZIP drives.

User Education and Support (10%)

With support from the student technology fee and College funds, the College established help desk services for Baruch students via telephone and e-mail. The help desk operates Monday – Thursday 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M., Friday 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. and Weekends 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Two full-time staff have been hired to provide training Baruch students in the use of equipment and software. A small number of workshop offerings will begin in October with a full schedule ready for the Spring 2003 semester.

Student Laser Printing (6%)

The print management software that handles the BCTC computer laboratories has been extended to the Library, which had been the only location on campus that charged students for printing. Over the course of the academic year the system will move to other campus labs as well. Two laser printers dedicated to printing student resumes were added to the BCTC lab. Resume printing on bond paper selected by the Career Development Center is NOT deducted from the printing allocation assigned to students.

Assistive Technology (3%)

Student technology fee funds have supported the acquisition of hardware, software and lab assistants for the Colleges Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. The Computing Center for Visually Impaired People will receive similar support during the semester.

Software for Student Computer Laboratories (8%)

Thus far, the student technology fee has supported licenses for Macromedia MX Studio for the CIS lab, Microsoft MSDN Academic Alliance membership for CIS students, Norton Antivirus software for all lab computers, and Microsoft Office for lab PCs. Other licenses will be obtained as the additional student computing labs are opened across campus.

Digital Library Services (10%)

The College has added a subscription to Bloomberg Financial Services in the Subotnick Center and training sessions for students will begin in October. The Library has acquired a variety of new databases including PsycArticles Full-Text, CCH Business & Finance, CCH Tax Research, Euromonitor GMID & MRM, ERIC Full-text, Hoover’s Online, Kompass, Magill Online Literature and Authors, Faulkner’s Advisory for Information Technology Studies, Biography Resource Center, Alternative Press Watch, FIS Online, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Historical Full-Text.

The library’s digital resources are available to students off-campus 24/7. More titles will be added to this digital collection over the course of the semester.

The Library established an electronic reserve service that enables students to obtain many of the reserve materials assigned for their courses without having to come to campus.

Wireless Access (4%)

Currently there is wireless access in the Newman Vertical Campus around the atrium, as well as in some classrooms, the cafeteria, and other areas where students congregate. The wireless network will be extended to the Newman Library and other areas of the campus over the course of the academic year. The BCTC will provide group help sessions on the use of the wireless service beginning in mid-October.

Ronald Aaron (Associate Dean of Students)
David Birdsell (Executive Director of Academic Programs, School of Public Affairs)
Robert Ducoffe (Acting Associate Dean, Zicklin School of Business)
Arthur Downing, Chair (Acting Assistant Vice President for Information Technology/CIO)
Andreas Grein (Associate Professor, Marketing)
Shamsul Haque (Undergraduate Student Representative)
Rajeev Narang (Graduate Student Representative)
David Potash (Acting Associate Provost)
Seymour Schulman (Professor, Natural Sciences)
John Wahlert (Acting Associate Dean, Weissman School of Arts and Sciences)

Baruch College
City University of New York

Background

On February 25 the CUNY Board of Trustees adopted a technology fee of $75.00 per semester for full-time students and $37.50 for part-time students, effective fall 2002. The revenue from the fee will be returned to the colleges to be applied toward the improvement of computer services for students. Provost David Dannenbring subsequently appointed a Technology Fee Task Force with input from the presidents of the undergraduate and graduate student governments, the President of the Faculty Senate, and the deans of the three schools. The task force was charged with developing a plan for allocating Baruch Colleges portion of the revenue to improve academic computing resources for students giving priority in the distribution of funds to resources that directly support curriculum-based learning opportunities.

The task force members met in person and via e-mail to discuss the immediate computing needs of Baruch students, strategies for addressing the needs, and the associated costs. As a result of these discussions the task force recommends the areas listed below as spending priorities for Year 1. The percentages represent estimates of the portion of the total revenue that are likely to be applied to each area. The preliminary funding allocations to each priority area may be adjusted as work plans are refined and more accurate price quotations are obtained from vendors.

Student Technology Fee Priorities for Year 1

• New Student E-Mail System (5%)

The current student e-mail system will be replaced by one that provides students with functionality that meets or surpasses that of the most popular free, web-based systems. The system will also offer alumni lifelong forwarding of e-mail messages to an address of their choice, which they will be able to update through a web interface. The student technology fee will support the hardware, software, and maintenance fees associated with this project. The Baruch Computing and Technology Center (BCTC) is designing the system based on the information obtained from a student focus group arranged by the task force.

• Staffing for Student Computer Laboratories (24%)

The student technology fee will be used to hire students to serve as computer laboratory assistants. This will enable the College to open departmental and general computer laboratories for longer hours. The deans representatives to the task force are working with the chair to develop the new computer laboratory schedule.

• Desktop Computers for Student Computer Laboratories (30%)

In year 1 the College will replace all desktop computers in the student computer laboratories that were acquired prior to 2000. This initiative will upgrade one-third of the 1,300 computers currently deployed in student laboratories. In planning for future replacement the College will take into account the increased wear, tear, damage, and theft associated with longer hours of service proposed for the laboratories. A subcommittee is preparing the specifications for the new desktops.

• User Education and Support (10%)

Two full-time staff will be hired in the BCTC to provide students and faculty with technology training, as well as user support. A regular schedule of workshops will cover topics such as the equipment in the smart classrooms, Blackboard, the new student e-mail system, digital multimedia, and presentation software. Temporary services staff will be hired as needed to teach special topics (e.g., SPSS). Computer-based tutorials may also be acquired.

• Student Laser Printing (6%)

Student computer laboratories will be equipped with networked laser printers controlled by the print management software that currently handles the BCTC computer laboratories. Each student will receive an account with annual allocation of free laser printing. Facilities will also be provided for students to print their rsums. The user education program listed above will include faculty training on how to reduce instructors reliance on the printing of class assignments by using Blackboard and other paperless alternatives. Student technology fee revenue will be applied toward the purchase of printers, the license for the print management software, toner, and paper. The BCTC will work with the deans’ representatives to identify the computer laboratories that will be included.

• Assistive Technology (3%)

The College is committed to ensuring that the benefits afforded through the technology fee are available to students with disabilities. The Colleges Office of Services for Students with Disabilities and the Computing Center for Visually Impaired People have prepared a list of needs that include hardware, software, and part-time computer laboratory assistants.

• Software for Student Computer Laboratories (8%)

Software licenses will be obtained to enable students to access the latest versions of a core set of applications across campus. The task force is compiling a list based on recommendations from students and faculty.

• Digital Library Services (10%)

The Newman Library will create a comprehensive electronic reserve service, so students can access their course readings via the web. Additionally, the library will subscribe to a larger collection of full-text electronic resources and online reference services.

• Wireless Access (4%)

Funds will be applied toward extending areas of the Newman Vertical Campus that are covered by the wireless network, installing wireless service in other buildings on campus, and helping students enable their laptops to access the network. The BCTC will work with the units of the College that will be included in this expansion of service to manage the installation.

Implementation

The task force recommends that the chair be responsible for managing the implementation of its recommendations in his role as Acting Assistant Vice President for Information Technology/CIO. The chair will submit timely progress reports to the student government presidents, the deans of the three schools, and the Dean of Student Development. In addition, the BCTC will post an accounting of the use of the student technology fee revenue on the Colleges website. Although funds from the student technology fee will not be available until the fall, the task force recommends that implementation be scheduled to the fullest degree possible during the summer. Consequently, the College may have to advance funds from the operating budget or non-tax levy sources.

This report provides the College’s student technology fee plan for 2002-03.

Technology Planning and Policy Development at Baruch