Proposal

Narrative

This Technology Fee proposal comes from the School of Communication & Multimedia Studies where we serve 1400 majors across two BA programs: Communication Studies and Multimedia Studies. The proposal also serves additional programs and is an interdepartmental and intercollegiate endeavor representing and intersecting with some of the interests of the Department of Computer & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering & Computer Science; the Department collaborates 6 credits per student to the School’s Media, Technology & Entertainment MFA. Therefore, this proposal is to bring the digital FVNM production components of the curriculum in line with current media and entertainment practices, an industry that generated $717US billion (2018) and is estimated to grow to $825US billion (2023). New fund would be used to upgrade the HE-911 multimedia lab with Dell tower computers, 27” monitors and peripherals used for digital media projects produced by students at the FTL campus where the majority of the production courses take place for the MMS FVNM BA and the MTEN MFA. The upgrade would bring the lab up-to-speed as a fully functional, professional digital media environment, giving 500 students per year the support and confidence needed when engaging in research and creative work for digital film, computer animation, game design, interactive media, audio design, VFX, and VR/AR/MR. Further, having an updated multimedia lab gives students an opportunity to learn from faculty engaged in the industry, effectively developing and designing professional portfolios for internships and careers in creative fields like film, TV, gaming, animation, and VFX, fulfilling SUS placement objectives and providing frameworks for “enhancing technology infrastructure to promote research and education” and “incorporating new technologies to promote institutional development” goals for FAU’s Strategic Plan for the Race to Excellence (2015-2025).

Facilities

HE-911 is designed like a horseshoe where 20 seats are set aside for digital media stations and 20 as open seats, 40 total. The computers and monitors are needed to provide ideal digital workspaces, processing speeds, and storage for students working on multiple digital media projects and platforms. Further, new desktop computers will allow students to deploy a number of production and design software packages at one time, something the current computers can’t effectively do. After the implementation of these resources into the School’s curriculum, we anticipate the production stations may become a resource for other academic units across the university, and especially at Fort Lauderdale’s campus for ARCH and GD, needing access and training in these technologies for their students. Currently, the multimedia labs at Fort Lauderdale that are in use by SCMS (HE-911, HE-914, HE-918, HE-1008i) utilize worn hardware (iMacs/PCs) from 2013 thru 2015, technology long in the tooth and proof our programs and the technological resources have fallen behind professional and industry standards, as well as other academic institutions offering similar degrees. In fact, computers in each of the labs have ongoing problems that include: powering on/off, freezing or crashing; inability to run up-to-date operating systems; do not operate well (or at all) with updated digital video editing, visual effects compositing, design, and audio software; processing speeds are not fast enough to keep up with today’s standards for digital media development, rendering, playback and output; do not hold enough memory (RAM) to enable software to operate properly; is not 2K thru 8K+ compatible, the industry standard. Furthermore, the Broward campuses, in particular with the Fort Lauderdale campus, if it’s to become a hub for the College’s digital media art and design programs, should therefore be showcased and given the opportunity to improve its technology, remedying persistent technological problems.

Hardware Requirements

20 x Dell Precision 3640 Towers (Now listing on Dell.com as the 3650 Tower) 20 x Dell 4k UltraSharp 27” Monitor S2721Q 20 x Cherry DC Keyboards/Mice Sets

Software Requirements

We currently use standard preinstalled software that accompanies new computers. The current desktop image built by OIT also provides software access to word processing, design and production software for Windows and Apple computers distributed between SCMS instructional labs in Fort Lauderdale. Depending on the platform, most software packages include Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere, After Effects, Audition, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.); Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Compressor and Motion; Autodesk’s Maya and MotionBuilder. Our software subscriptions are often addressed through other complimentary Tech Fee proposals, other sources of the SCMS funding, or open-sourced, such as Unity’s 3D game engine, Audacity, or Pure Data. When new software is acquired, we ask OIT to assist with installation and deployment.

Personnel Costs

There is none at this time. Often, faculty from SCMS, graduate teaching assistants, and production staff manage production labs and equipment resources. OIT will assist with the installation of computers and software.

Other Costs

There is none at this time.

Timeline

Equipment/Hardware Acquisition - April 2022 Equipment/Hardware Installation - May 2022 Equipment/Hardware Deployment - May 2022 Equipment/Hardware Software Updates - May 2022 Equipment/Hardware Testing - May 2022

Sustainability

Continued maintenance of digital resources and computer hardware comes from trained faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and production support staff. Hardware and all equipment warranties will be extended when applicable. Through regular student use and anticipated general maintenance the computer hardware should last three to five years, allowing SCMS to pursue additional Tech Fees for other critical digital production equipment and lab updates. Additionally, community and university partnerships will continue with South Florida vendors and tech industry companies offering computer support and representation such as Dell, Alienware, and Canvas Films. Further, unlike an all-in-one (AIO) computer such as an iMac, new tower computers allow hardware to be easily upgraded, cutting back on potential future costs.

Resource Matching

There is none at this time. However, the School of Communication & Multimedia Studies is committed to actively pursuing additional funding available through internal FAU grants, as well as external grants including the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts), NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others.

Implementing Organization

The School of Communication & Multimedia Studies under the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters with assistance from OIT.