Proposal

Narrative

The Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum on the FAU John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter is a quiet place for students to study, relax, and hold club meetings. The Arboretum provides a tree-filled oasis for students, butterflies, birds and small mammals. On any given day you can find students sitting on the numerous benches scattered throughout. The Arboretum is one of the few outdoor spaces on campus and the only one surrounded by trees. Recently, funding from another source provided support for a new Thriving Outside program. This program includes: 1. activities that promote student connections with nature to improve their mental well-being; and 2. Creation of an outdoor, wheelchair-accessible classroom with a protective sail shade. Students and faculty alike are excited about the prospect of having a safe outdoor space to hold classes. The goal of this project is to enhance the educational, rejuvenating, and social opportunities provided by the Arboretum by extending Wi-Fi, electrical connections, and enhanced security throughout the space. This Tech Fee grant is necessary for the success of our effort. Current Challenges in the Arboretum: 1. Students don’t have access to Wi-Fi for studying, club meetings, or student events, nor the electricity to recharge their laptops and other devices. 2. Faculty interested in holding classes are limited by the lack of Wi-Fi and electricity. 3. Campus police are concerned about safety due to its proximity to University Blvd. Installation of security cameras is prohibited by the lack of Wi-Fi and electricity. 4. Elaborate set-up is required for events, running yards of extension cords for Wi-Fi, electricity and networking through 3 doors in 2 nearby buildings, creating safety hazards. Solution - Provide students with: Wi-Fi by installing connections, a source of electricity by installing multiple electrical outlets and greater safety by installing security cameras that will tap into the current system for police monitoring.

Facilities

No facilities renovation is necessary.

Hardware Requirements

$19,000 - Install WiFi/networking connections – Quote for $17,000 from March 2021 and increasing to $19,000 to allow for inflation since March. $26,000 - Install multiple electrical outlet connections. $8,399.78 - Install security cameras that will tap into the current system for police monitoring. TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED: $53,399.78

Software Requirements

No software is required for electrical or WiFi/networking. FAU already uses Avigilon ACC7 as its security camera management system. New security cameras in the Arboretum would be integrated into the current system at no additional cost.

Personnel Costs

There are no personnel costs.

Other Costs

There are no other costs.

Timeline

30-60 days depending on hardware and contractor availability; no longer than 90 days.

Sustainability

Once installed, it will be up to either facilities or networking to be responsible for maintaining the infrastructure.

Resource Matching

Project Manager’s Time - As Project Manager for the Arboretum, I am funded to coordinate all efforts in the Arboretum, including maintenance and student volunteer/service-learning activities. I would oversee the installation of the funded technology elements. Outdoor Classroom – The recent funding for the outdoor classroom will be greatly enhanced by adding the technology elements.

Implementing Organization

FAU Center for Environmental Studies is submitting the proposal in partnership with the Wilkes Honors College that will be managing the project funds.