College plans to add $200 technology fee
By ANNELIESE WOOLFORD
News Writer
Saint Mary's has added a $200 technology fee to the 2003-04 student tuition to raise necessary funding for ongoing technology upgrades and campus software licensing,
The College's Department of Information Technology decided to update its network capacity, in a move that will affect both on- and off-campus students.
"Much of our maintenance licensing expired last summer, so basically we've been using older software," said Keith Fowlkes, Saint Mary's director of Information Technology.
Fowlkes said that his office has facilitated upgrades to Microsoft programs only. Others, such as Macromedia and Adobe, are slated for future upgrades.
In addition to the College's need to upgrade its programs, initial funding comprised of grant funds and a 1998 bond issue ran out in the summer of 2001, further necessitating the addition of a technology fee.
"It takes money to keep up with new technology," Fowlkes said. "We're rounding the corner right now on five-year upgrade needs for our campus network."
To build on the campus network's infrastructure, the Department of Information Technology will install a calendaring system, user information database and a new system for e-mail — a significant improvement from the IMP system upgrade last month.
Current Internet connections will be enhanced, providing on-campus students with a faster Internet connection. Off-campus students will be accommodated with a "package shaper," enabling faster and more flexible access outside of campus.
Proceeds from the fee will also help to cover operation costs within the Information Technology Resource Center. A grant from the Huisking Foundation will pay for additional ITRC renovation costs.
New computer-based audio/video production will make the ITRC the hub for the "campus channel," a television channel featuring student-produced programming, campus news, world news, sports and weather.
The ITRC is in the process of forming a Cable Television Advisory Board and is planning to initiate the campus channel during the 2004-05 academic year.
A cable television channel was instituted at colleges where Fowlkes previously worked. Based on its success on other campuses, Fowlkes said he is optimistic that the channel will thrive at Saint Mary's.
"We have so many incredible offerings on this campus for technology and we just want to keep them up," he said. "We're doing this primarily for students so they can be exposed to the latest technology, so when they graduate, they'll be ready to use whatever software is placed in front of them."
Other colleges and universities around the country have an additional technology fee outside of student tuition.
Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio has a $120 per semester fee. At Ball State University, the fee is $130 per semester and at Indiana University, Bloomington, it's $400 per year.
Saint Mary's will continue to underwrite the bulk of the technology costs.
"The $200 will help us provide more and better technology for our students," Fowlkes said. "We hope students will understand that technology is expensive, and to maintain the technology we have on campus is crucial to the education of students here at Saint Mary's."
All News Stories for Friday, March 28, 2003
