Proposal

Narrative

This proposal, put forward to FAU’s Technology Fee Committee, is to use newly allocated funds to upgrade computers, monitors, keyboards and mice used for digital media projects produced by students at the Fort Lauderdale campus where the majority of our production courses take place for the BA in Multimedia Studies Film, Video & New Media and the MFA in Media, Technology & Entertainment. These funds will accent the Multimedia Studies Lab Upgrade, a previous Technology Fee funded in 2021. The new funds for Multimedia Studies Computer Upgrade will be used to obtain new high-end iMac 24" computers and peripherals, bringing one of the multimedia labs (HE-914) up-to-speed as a fully functional, professional digital media environment, giving 500 undergraduate and graduate students each year, the support and confidence needed when engaging in research and creative work for high-resolution digital film, 2D/3D computer animation, game design, interactive media, audio design, VFX, and XR/VR/AR/MR. Furthermore, having a fully functional updated multimedia lab gives students the opportunity to learn from faculty engaged in the media and entertainment industry, effectively developing and designing professional portfolios for internships and careers in creative fields like film, video, photography, TV, radio, gaming, animation, VFX, etc., fulfilling FAU and SUS placement goals. Additionally, a multimedia lab such as this provides frameworks for “enhancing technology infrastructure to promote research and education” and “incorporates new technologies to promote institutional development,” goals for Florida Atlantic University’s Strategic Plan for the Race to Excellence (2015-2025). The maintenance of missing technological assets and consistent upgrades are critical to the training of students looking to continue with digital media across a broad range of industrial applications as they pursue careers in varied media platforms.

Facilities

HE-914 is designed with 4 tiered rows where SCMS has 20 seats set aside for digital media stations and 20 set aside as open seats. 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 do effectively. 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, needing access and training in these technologies for their students. Currently, the multimedia labs at Fort Lauderdale that are in use by SCMS (HE-608, HE-914, HE-918, HE-1008i) utilize worn hardware (iMacs/PCs) from 2013 thru 2015, technology that's 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; are 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 24" iMacs with M1 Processors, 1TB Hard-drive , 16 GB RAM; 20 x AppleCare (3-4 Years); 20 x Numerical Keyboards; 20 x Magic Mice; 20 x Track Pads; 20 x USBC Dongles; 20 x SD Card Dongles.

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 – March/April 2023, Equipment/Hardware Installation – March/April 2023, Equipment/Hardware Deployment – March/April 2023, Equipment/Hardware Software/Firmware Updates – April/May 2023 (Ongoing), Equipment/Hardware Testing – April/May 2023.

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 Apple, Dell, Alienware, etc.

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.