Proposal

The aim of this proposal is to provide funding to upgrade technology within the College Advising Offices (CAOs) to enhance the advising process for our students.  Funding is requested for four of the college advising offices: Business, Education, Engineering and Science (the other colleges chose not to be included in this cycle).   This grant will allow the CAOs of these four colleges to enhance effective advising practices using 21^st century technology.  In order to provide a comparable and high level of service to our students, it is important that our computing technology is cutting edge and similar across these CAOs and the University Advising Services Office (UAS). 

This technology fee proposal is being submitted in order to benefit the majors in the participating colleges, specifically to increase retention, to promote timely graduation, and to stimulate student engagement.  Note that these four colleges account for 67% of the undergraduate population of the university and include our two largest colleges. The unduplicated annual (2014-2015) undergraduate headcount for these colleges is as follows.

 Tech Request Common to the Four Colleges:

The current request is modeled after the technology grant obtained by the College of Education last year, with the intent of developing  similar resources in the other colleges or on other campuses.   We are requesting desktops and laptop computers for students’ use during orientation, registration, and various workshops as described above.  The tablets/laptops for the advisors will allow for easy portability and not limit advisors’ access to student information.  An advisor will be able to access FAU student information systems such as Blackboard, DARS, MYFAU and the new Student Success Network (Starfish), OARS, tutorials and social media.  This equipment will give us the means to show students how to access their information on their own, creating less confusion when they are accessing these systems at a later date from home. In addition, portable technology will allow our offices to provide an array of services in locations on campus other than our office.  The highly successful “Advising on the Go” offered by UAS has demonstrated that there is value in taking the advisor out of the office and into the student’s world (e.g., parking garage; dorm).  The use of the tablets/laptops will allow advisors to use remote technology to advise at a distant location; to assist in registration during transfer orientation, open house, campus day; and to participate effectively in other recruiting events on and off campus.  The large screen smart TVs are requested for orientations and workshops. The College of Education’s request in this proposal extends the upgrade funded last year to extend to the Davie and Jupiter campuses. 

College Specific Requests

In order to make the best use of the multi-purpose resource room in the College of Science, the College is requesting wheeled computer tables and chairs similar to those purchased by the College of Education technology grant. The College of Science is also requesting web cams for each advisor in order to allow e-advising via Skype (Science advisors’ computers are not equipped with cameras).

References

Noel, L., Levitz, R., & Saluri, D. (Eds.) (1985). Increasing student retention: New challenges and potential. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.  

Cuseo, J.  Academic advisement and student retention:  Empirical connections and systematic interventions.  http://cpe.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/6781576F-67A6-4DF0-B2D3-2E71AE0D5D97/0/CuseoAcademicAdvisementandStudentRetentionEmpiraclConnectionsandSystemicInterventions.pdf

We are requesting 14 Dell optiplex all-in-one computers for student to use in waiting room.  Cost per terminal is $1,044 for a total of $14,616.  We are also requesting 64 Dell latitude laptops for student use and 14 Dell latitude laptops for advisors to use in guiding students through registration and other advising processes.  Cost is $1,112 per item for a total of $86,736. We will purchase 21 Dell inspiron tablets for advisors to use in advising at locations other than the main office.  Cost of $989 each for a total of $20,769. 

 We are requesting charging carts to house the laptops and notebooks while charging (4 laptop carts (BLAP-30 maximum security cart) @ $2,291 for a total of $9,163 and 4 notebook charging modules (Spectrum value cycle timer - notebook cart charging module) @ $187 = $748. 

Smart TVs (70-80”) will be used during presentations to students (4 @ $8,600 per item = total of $34,400).  TV mounts 4 @ $250 each = $1000.  Clickshare presentation system for each unit (4 @ $3,524 = $14,256).

 College of Science is asking for 16 web cams, to be used during Skype advising ($100 each, total of $1600). 

 College of Science is requesting 18 flip computer tables at $174 each for a total of $3,132. These will be used in an all-purpose student room.  We request 36 stacking chairs @ $99 for a total of $3,564.  Assembly charge of $1515. 

TOTAL REQUEST = $191,499

(see supporting documentation for a spreadsheet\ with the College and Campus breakdown)

 N/A  

Our goal would be to provide maintenance of all equipment as per the guidelines of our College technology team, and to monitor for any upgrades or modifications as needed.