Proposal

Tech Fee: Refurbishing CU 321/A (Updating CU 321/A to Meet FAU-Wide Smart Classroom Standards)

The purpose of this Tech Fee is to upgrade the classroom/seminar room that is shared by the departments of LLCL and English to what has become the FAU standard.  We are requesting a total of $45,000.00 based on quotes received from Dell Computing, CCS (via Jody Bagdonas), Boca Blinds, and Worx Electrical Service. 

Background Context:  
The technology in the room has not been updated since the building was constructed in 2010.  Among other things, this means that the system is currently analog, and we are asking for an upgrade to digital.  It also means that there are antiquated Dell computers on both sides of the room.  We are asking that these be replaced with more current machines.  Also, though these computers are connected to projectors, there is no “teaching station” from which an instructor can choose different inputs for the projector.  If an instructor wishes to use his or her own laptop to project a Powerpoint presentation, for instance, the connection from the computer to the projector must be removed and then connected to the laptop.  Given that the instructors who use these rooms are often not especially tech savvy, having faculty or GTA’s “connect” and “disconnect” various types of equipment is problematic, and potentially dangerous for student and instructor alike. 

Details of the Request:
LLCL and English are requesting the installation of a teaching podium (a “Media Director" Presenter's Lectern) in each half of the room (the room can be partitioned in half so that two small graduate seminars can be undertaken concurrently).  On the Media Director Presenter's lectern, the 3-Series DigitalMedia Presentation System 300 will control the input for the projectors without necessitating any unnecessary handling of the equipment.  They will allow us to move the computers to the front of the rooms as well.  Currently they are located at the rear of the classroom, at the opposite end from the instructor.  This means that the instructor cannot control the computers and point out relevant information on the screen/projector at the same time.  The lectern, presentation system, and associated equipment are necessary for exemplary instruction.  Their insertion will also require some electrical wiring work, included in the request.  We are also requesting shades to darken the room appropriately when using the projectors. 

Demonstration of Extensive  Benefit to FAU Students through Implementation of Project:
For the Fall 2014 academic semester, there were a total of eight (8) graduate courses being taught in this shared space. There were also a total of four (4) undergraduate courses being taught in this shared space.

The space is also actively used by many student clubs and organizations: Chinese Club, Uniendos Culturas, Pi Delta Phi (National French Honor Society), Sigma Delta Pi (National Spanish Honor Society), French Club.

There were six major events for students held in this shared space during the Fall 14 semester: the week-long Fall 14 graduate teaching orientation and training workshop for the Department of Languages, Linguistics, and Comparative Literature (LLCL); a weekend student symposium for the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; a professional workshop for the English GTAs; a CV-writing workshop for LLCL GTAs; film screenings; and a series of invited lectures delivered by major authors and scholars from around the world.

During the Spring 15 semester, there will be a total of twelve (12) graduate courses and four (4) undergraduate courses held in this shared space. The space will continue to be used by the student clubs and organizations listed above. And the space will again be used for major workshop/orientation events in both departments, including: the LLCL Spring 15 graduate student teacher training orientation, a mock interview session for LLCL GTAs, another professional workshop for the English GTAs; more invited lectures and film screenings; and the statewide training conference for the Florida Association of Teachers of Chinese (attended by 80+ people, including visiting scholars and dignitaries from China).

Summary Justification / Benefits of Project:
In short, since the room is used extensively as a classroom space, we are asking for an upgrade that meets the minimal standards for all classrooms at FAU.  A majority of graduate classes for both departments are taught in CU 321/A.  The room also houses readings and presentations that are open to students and which are associated with coursework, as well as training for graduate students from LLCL, allowing them to teach their own courses.  All of FAU’s classroom spaces have been upgraded since the technology for this room was installed.  This tech fee will bring CU 321/A in line with the remainder of FAU’s classroom spaces, and remove several impediments to an ideal teaching/learning environment. Very importantly, this tech fee will also give our departments' graduate student teachers access to a MUCH better pedagogical training environment, which in turn will make them much more effective teachers in their own lower-division classes. (Both English and LLCL graduate teaching assistants teach two course sections per semester, for a total of four course sections per year; they deliver a substantial percentage of lower-division courses [English Composition and basic language courses].)

For AV System Installation: Please see the document (provided by Jody Bagdonas) labeled:  Boca_CU321_CU321A.pdf 

This document provides details on the AV system installation requirements for this project:  Display Equipment; Source Equipment; Control/Switching Equipment; Audio Equipment; Furniture, AV Interface Equipment. 

For the English side of this shared space (CU 321), the total cost of the above is: $15,810.97
For the LLCL side of this shared space (CU321A), the total cost of the above is: $17,062.73.

The total cost for this is: $37,873.70; this does NOT include labor costs. Labor costs are listed under "Other Costs."


For computer hardware: Please see the document (provided by Dell, via Greg Topple) labeled: dell-pricequote.pdf.

We are requesting two (2) new instructor computers.

System price for each: $1,321.46.

Total cost for two (2) systems: $2,642.92


OVERALL COST : $40,516.52

Not applicable in this case.