Proposal

Name:

Optimization of Student Advising through Tablet Technology

FiscalYear:

2013

Audience:

Undergraduate Studies

Submitter:

Hammond, Kirk

Budget Manager:

Aragon, Diane L.

Project Manager:

Murray, Joseph E

Proposal Approvers

Dept. Chair:

Pratt, Edward

Local IT:

N/A

Dean:

Pratt, Edward

Facilities:

N/A

OIT:

Campbell, Glen R.

Proposal Funding

Year 1:

$ 18,342.66

Year 2:

$ 4,509.70

Year 3:

$ 0.00

Total:

$ 22,852.36

Proposal Funding versus Average

Questionnaire

Narrative
The purpose of this project is to optimize and expand the accessibility of academic information to advisors so they can offer students a comprehensive array of services in locations other than their offices through the use of tablet technology.  University Advising Services (UAS), in its expanded capacity, will be called upon to interact with both first and second year students.   The use of remote technology to communicate academic information to students will be extremely important at events such as: first-year and transfer orientations, open houses, campus days, meetings with prospective athletes, dual enrollment meetings with FAU high school and other partner high schools, as well as other out of office events. The tablet technology will allow for easy portability and will enable, but not limit advisors to:  discretely access student information, demonstrate computer applications such as Blackboard, DARS, MyFAU, OARS (UAS’ on-line advising program for incoming students), multimedia tutorials, and social media as well as guide them to on-line resources.  An additional goal will be to use this technology around campus to assist students in scheduling appointments earlier in the semester and with more frequency.   Once the students see how easy it is to access information, the expectation is that they will do so on their own.  We expect that in turn this will have a positive impact on engagement, retention, and student satisfaction.

How is the project aligned with the Strategic Plan?

Goal I:  Enhance the Educational Experience
- Technology is a staple of modern life.  If we can use the technology (i.e. tablets) that our students use, the quality of their academic experience is sure to be enhanced because we will be able to communicate in their “language”.
- The tablet would help to integrate the technological and human aspects of scheduling and advising.   

Goal III:  Increase FAU’s Community Engagement

- The tablet technology will increase community partnerships by allowing UAS to work more collaboratively with area high schools and their dual enrollment programs.  It will also allow for greater access at events such as Campus Days and Open Houses that are geared toward local high school students and their families.       

Goal IV:  Leverage momentum toward achieving FAU’s strategic goal by being good stewards of its human, technological, physical and financial resources.
- The adoption of the tablet technology as a business practice will allow for increased productivity and will maximize efficiency by providing remote and immediate access to electronic information and resources and real-time communication between UAS and students, staff, and faculty.
-The tablets will allow for the expansion of UAS’ existing advising technologies beyond our office walls.  

Facilities
Hardware Requirements
Year 1
17 - Windows Surface Pro 2 (64GB)
17 - Type Cover 2 Keyboard
17 - Maroo Surface Pro 2 Folio Case

Year 2 (Maintenance/Upkeep)
17 - LaCie XtremKey USB 3.0 (32GB) - data file backup
8 - Surface Pro Pen
9 - LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 (250GB SSD) - backup of entire tablet
Software Requirements
MS Office 2013
Antivirus provided by the University
Adobe Reader
VPN software
Personnel Costs
N/A
Other Costs
N/A
Timeline
Admission events will begin soon.  Orientations begin in April 2014.  Advising and scheduling for current students is ongoing.  Once we are awarded this funding, we will immediately move forward to make the tablet purchases and will begin using them as soon as they arrive and can be set up to meet FAU standards. 
Sustainability

We predict that the tablets will be utilized for at least 5 years before they will need to be gradually upgraded and replaced due to hardware and software needs.   

Resource Matching
N/A
Implementing Organization
N/A

Proposal Budget

Fiscal Year 1 Fiscal Year 2 Fiscal Year 3 Total
Hardware One-Time $ 18,342.66 $ 4,509.70 $ 0.00 $ 22,852.36
Hardware Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Software One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Software Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Totals $ 18,342.66 $ 4,509.70 $ 0.00 $ 22,852.36

Supporting Documentation

Filename Size Description
UAS - Tablet Resource Breakdown.docx 15,320b Itemized Cost of Proposal