Proposal

Narrative

The goal of this proposal is to increase the research productivity, services, and visibility of FAU by providing the hardware and software needed for classes and research. 1)School of Public Administration (SPA) Ph.D. Student Research Laboratory Room: A request is being made to update the computer equipment in this room with 10 computers (8 desktops and 2 laptops). This room functions as a computer lab space and office. Students use it for class projects and research. Computer skills are critical for our students and make them eligible and attractive to prospective employers. This replaces 10-year-old computers that were a security risk and were removed by OIT. While around 4 older computers are a temporary replacement, they fall short of student needs. Currently, there are not enough computers for all the doctoral students in our program (around 30 with eight full-time GTAs who need access to reliable computers to use large datasets. 2) Stata Statistical Software: A Stata Student Lab license for 15 users (PAD 7703 & 7707) and 6 Prof+ Plan licenses for faculty teaching are requested. Stata is an integrated statistical software that provides a variety of necessary statistical tools for data analysis and is currently needed for our classes. Purchasing a student lab license will allow our doctoral students to complete their data analysis assignments and dissertations and allow us to meet our university and BOG metrics for graduation. The Prof+ Plan licenses will enable faculty to prepare data for teaching undergraduate courses – there are typically 4-5 methods classes of 40-50 (PAD 4702,4704) students in a year, for a total of approximately 250 students. In summary, the requested hardware will help SPA meet FAU’s goals and metrics as an R1 institution and help meet FAU’s Strategic plan platform of distinction through discovery and research experiences that promote scholarship and graduation, data analytics, and increase FAU’s community engagement

Facilities

No renovations are needed. The student research room and laboratory is located in Room 206 suite of the Social Sciences building. Room 206 is shared by 8 full-time doctoral students and around 20-22 part-time students who rotate using the space. This space is used by PhD students to work and study. The eight desktop computers being requested will be installed in the room, which is accessible only by a key card given to all doctoral students. The laptop computers will be available to students through the SPA office, which will maintain records and accountability for these computers by signing them out to students on a need-for-use basis.

Hardware Requirements

1) Eight Dell desktop computers (attached quote provides specifications) Product Unit Price Quantity Subtotal Dell Pro Max Tower with sound bar and monitor $1,674.62; 8 at $ 13396.96 Total = $13396.96 2) Two Dell Laptop computers (attached quote provides specifications) Product Unit Price Quantity Subtotal Dell Pro Max 14 MC14250, $1480; $2,960 Total = $2,960

Software Requirements

1. Stata: A Student Lab License for Stata BE/download: $1,610 for 15 users per year for doctoral classes. Pricing information available at https://www.stata.com/order/new/edu/lab-licenses/dl/ 2. Stata/SE: 6 Prof+ Plan user licenses for faculty: $710 each for the three year license: Total: $4260. Pricing information available at https://www.stata.com/order/new/edu/profplus/dl/

Personnel Costs

None. Students will be provided with the Stata lab license by the faculty teaching those courses. Faculty will be provided the Stata Prof + Plan license by the department. The laptop computers will be available to students through the SPA office, which will maintain records and accountability for these computers by signing them out to students on a need-for-use basis.

Other Costs

None

Timeline

The students can use the new computers as soon as they are delivered and the software once it is downloaded and installed. The new computers should last for 8-10 years.

Sustainability

The student computers and software will be maintained by the D.F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters IT personnel for any needed maintenance and system upgrades. The student lab software is an annual license which will need to be renewed. Pricing for faculty licenses is provided for the three year period for the multi year discount.

Resource Matching

The School of Public Administration maintains the desks and chairs for the computer stations

Implementing Organization

The School of Public Administration will oversee the installation and use of the new desktop computers. Hardware installation for the student lab will be implemented in-house by IT personnel. The laptop computers will be available to students through the SPA office, which will maintain records and accountability for these computers by signing them out to students on a need-for-use basis.