Summary

Changing demographics and expectations of students, along with rapid advances in information technology, are forcing universities to invest heavily in technology. Northwestern State University is determined to make these investments to the benefit of its students, its faculty, and to the State of Louisiana. To ensure the most efficacious expenditure of limited funds, the University has initiated a planning process for the procurement and use of technology. The five-year technology plan is organized into a series of organizational, access, support, and innovation initiatives.

In order to allow input from the University community, the technology plan and progress reports will be accessible through an interactive Technology Planning Web–site. An ongoing evaluation of the progress toward completion of the initiative and its impact will be provided, as will associated costs. A progress report will be presented to the University President and the SGA President at the end of each fiscal year.

Funding of the technology plan will come from multiple sources, including grants, State appropriations, capital outlay funds, and student fees. The availability of adequate funding for technology will, to a large extent, determine the successful implementation of the technology plan and the future of the University.

It is increasingly evident that the influence of technology on higher education will be more profound than any previous circumstance or resource that has impacted teaching and learning in recent history. Both the method and organization, which currently characterize universities, are being transformed. This transformation is accelerated by rapid and continuous advancements in communications technologies, changing population demographics, and the expectations of the market place. The health of Northwestern will depend largely on its ability to anticipate and accommodate these changes. The University must be prepared to compete nationally and eventually globally, for a growing nontraditional, technologically astute clientele. To do so effectively and economically will require a product-oriented organizational structure marked by cooperation, and by a dynamic plan of action, the implementation of which will help define Northwestern as an Information Age University.

Northwestern’s technology plan is organized as a series of initiatives, each of which is categorized according to its nature as organizational, facilitating access, improving support, or exploring innovative applications. The specifics of the interpretation of each initiative will be detailed separately and only to the extent that will ensure maximum efficiency and an observable product, without forcing a rigid, contextually- isolated translation.

In time the plan will be posted to an interactive web-site. Input from the University community will be used to evaluate, update, and extend the technology plan, both at the University and college levels.

Process

The first draft of Northwestern State University’s current technology plan was developed in response to a request by the Board of Regents to organize a plan for the use of the SGA approved student technology fees. In response to the Board’s request NSTEP, Northwestern State Technology Enrichment Plan, was composed. The initial plan included a series of technology initiatives identified with the input of the University administration, SGA representatives, technical support personnel, and selected faculty. With the first draft of the plan in place, collection of the student technology fees began in the Fall of 1997. Preparation for a second, more detailed technology plan began with the arrival of students and faculty for the 1997 fall semester. The College Deans were provided with a copy of the technology plan and asked to solicit input from their faculty. Each of NSU’s three SGAs reviewed the draft of the plan and provided feedback. In addition, copies of the plan where disseminated to interested students and an e-mail account was set up to facilitate student questions concerning, and feedback regarding the technology plan. Based on the feedback gathered from the university community the current version of NSTEP was developed.

Because input from the university community is critical to the continued relevance of the university technology plan, a special web site was developed through which students, faculty, alumni, and interested person’s outside the university can view and react to the plan. Revisions to the plan will be posted as necessary. The changing nature and capacity of technology to transform the teaching learning process necessitates that a technology plan remain goal oriented yet dynamic in its approach.

The relevance of the plan and its functionality will, to a large degree, be a measure of the involvement of the constituents for whose benefit it was designed. Every effort will be made, therefore, to ensure that students past and present remain actively involved both in the continued evolution and implementation of Northwestern State’s Technology Enrichment Plan.

This section is currently being revised and updated to reflect the reorganization.

Vision Statement

Whatever the context or delivery vehicle of instruction, the innovative use of technologies to ensure its effectiveness will, in large part, determine the success of the University in the coming years. Northwestern State University will move boldly into the Information Age, building on its legacy of innovation and commitment to ensure a quality education for all students. The University will firmly establish its position as a preeminent provider of quality educational programs and will make these programs flexible enough to accommodate the individual circumstance and changing demographics of its clients. The use of advanced technologies will play a critical role in the realization of the University’s mission. The delivery of educational programming as well as student services will, through the use of technology, provide a number of convenient and effective options for students. Technology-assisted instruction will be available to students in the more traditional classroom setting or at their convenience electronically, unrestricted by place or time. In either format, students will have available to them an unprecedented depth and quality of programming that is insightfully organized and presented to maximize learning.

A dynamic planning mechanism and effective implementation of timely innovations will be defining elements in the organizational infrastructure of the University. Web-based technologies will be used to ensure an efficient communications network within the University and as a link to global electronic resources. The rapid retrieval, integration, and exchange of large amounts of information will be easily accessible to all students and faculty.

Northwestern will partner with cooperative enterprises and private agencies to develop and deliver competency-based programming tailored to the needs of the marketplace. Competency-based education will be the defining element of a perpetual learning initiative designed to accommodate a highly mobile, professionally engaged, and distant audience.

Randall Webb, President

Northwestern State University

Context

Northwestern State University of Louisiana was founded by the Louisiana Legislature in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School. Its mission then, as now, is to provide excellence in education. For over 113 years Northwestern has endeavored to make available a quality education to the broadest possible audience, as a means of advancing the social and economic well being of its students. Northwestern’s success has been marked by its increasing student population in recent years, its acknowledged leadership in the use of instructional technologies and distance education, the growth of its satellite campuses in Alexandria and Leesville, and the many accomplishments of its alumni. Northwestern is the home of the prestigious Louisiana Scholars’ College, the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, and the National Center for Preservation, Technology, and Training. The University boasts a multi-million dollar satellite facility and production studio, and is a statewide leader in the use of Internet technologies to deliver academic coursework nationwide. In addition Northwestern has distinguished itself with program innovations designed to address the academic needs of both a traditional and a growing nontraditional student population.

Increasingly, the University’s student population is typically older, more technologically astute, and often professionally engaged. More students are expecting educational programming that is conveniently accessible, that accommodates their schedules, and that is unrestricted by geographic location. Northwestern’s rural location has for sometime been an impetus for the use of distance technologies. As a result Northwestern has invested heavily in instructional technology. Even so, the progress made thus far has come at great expense to scarce University resources.

Goals

1. To attain accreditation for each eligible degree program by a Board of Regent’s approved national accrediting agency.

2. To develop a plan for a learning-centered environment that reflects the "spirit" of the concept including distance learning technologies, innovative strategies and pedagogy, and a commitment to provide the necessary faculty and student resources to make this environment possible.

3. To develop and implement a delivery system within the university to coordinate and provide associate degree programs, certification programs, and developmental course-work.

4. To establish a comprehensive enrollment management plan that maintains an economically viable student population, attracting and recruiting outstanding academic achievers with diverse backgrounds, from an expanding geographic area to all program levels throughout the university.

5. To develop and implement a system of resource commitment and allocation in order to increase excellence in academic and professional programs.

6. To strengthen national recognition of academic programs at NSU by assessing academic programs against national standards, identifying two programs to be developed or enhanced for national recognition, and developing an integrative program linking majors in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Science and Technology via their use and application of technology in teaching, learning, and research.

7. To expand the interdisciplinary approach to academic programs at Northwestern.

8. To establish a marketing office and develop a new marketing strategy that projects Northwestern’s genuinely caring atmosphere.

Objectives

1. To improve access to technology by students, faculty, and staff at Northwestern State University.

2. To provide classrooms with updated technology and multimedia.

3. To upgrade student technology laboratories with modern technology.

4. To improve and proliferate the use of distance education within all colleges at NSU.

5. To upgrade and maintain the campus communication network and infrastructure.

6. To provide a system for maintenance, upgrade, user training, and support of technology that will extend into the future.

7. To establish processes that encourage technology initiatives by faculty, staff, and students.

8. To encourage innovation and research.

9. To provide a system for maintenance, upgrade, training and support of administrative systems for administrators and physical plant in order to better serve students.

10. To institute a technology budget for the university, its colleges, and its directorates.

 

 

University Goal

NSTEP Objectives

1. To attain accreditation for each eligible degree program by a Board of Regent’s approved national accrediting agency.

2. To develop a plan for a learning-centered environment that reflects the "spirit" of the concept including distance learning technologies, innovative strategies and pedagogy, and a commitment to provide the necessary faculty and student resources to make this environment possible.

3. To develop and implement a delivery system within the university to coordinate and provide associate degree programs, certification programs, and developmental course-work.

• To upgrade laboratories with modern technology.
• To improve and proliferate distance education in all colleges at NSU.
• To upgrade and maintain the campus communication network and infrastructure.
  

5.  To establish that encourage technology initiatives by faculty, staff and students.

8. To encourage innovation and research.

10. To institute a technology budget for the university, its colleges, and its directories.

4. To establish a comprehensive enrollment management plan that maintains an economically viable student population, attracting and recruiting outstanding academic achievers with diverse backgrounds, from an expanding geographic area to all program levels throughout the university.

5. To develop and implement a system of resource commitment and allocation in order to increase excellence in academic and professional programs.

10. To institute a technology budget for the university, its colleges, and its directorates

6. To strengthen national recognition of academic programs at NSU by assessing academic programs against national standards, identifying two programs to be developed or enhanced for national recognition, and developing an integrative program linking majors in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Science and Technology via their use and application of technology in teaching, learning, and research.

1. – 10.

7. To expand the interdisciplinary approach to academic programs at Northwestern.

 

1. – 10.

8. To establish a marketing office and develop a new marketing strategy that projects Northwestern’s genuinely caring atmosphere.

10. To institute a technology budget for the university, its colleges, and its directorates.

NSTEP OBJECTIVE

ACTION PLANS

• Provide common access labs in residence hall
• Increase hours and locations of availability-study feasibility of one after hours computer laboratory
• Provide increased access to administrative systems (housing, meal plans, etc.) through Web-Based Student Services
• Equip access labs to meet ADA standards
• Establish a buyer program for students to purchase computer hardware and software through the university
• Add Data ports in dormitory rooms
• Improve access to campus resources, especially on-line courses and distance education, from off-campus locations

• Construct multimedia classrooms (including hi-resolution projection systems, SMART boards, etc.) in conjunction with Multimedia laboratories
• Increase multimedia equipment availability for student presentations
• Continue progress to organize and staff an Instructional Technology Support and Training Centers
• Provide Desktop Video Communications
• Develop Web-based Virtual Reality

• Upgrade laboratory classrooms (hardware, software)
• Provide laboratory technicians

• Enhance the Compressed Video Network
• Provide each college with convenient access to distance learning technologies
• Provide Web servers for department-level Web-based courses
• Acquire electronic reserves for libraries
• Develop partnerships with business/industry for delivery of electronic instruction to the workplace

• Install campus voice-mail system for better student access to faculty, staff, and administration
• Purchase internet server for web-based student and faculty e-mail accounts and eliminate pine system from alpha server
• Develop a University intranet through purchase of internet servers
• Improve Phone Registration System
• Increase web-based student services (electronic transfer of funds to meal plan, etc.)
• Provide Voice-Response Communications
• Install a campus-wide fiber optic network
• Provide wireless access at the building level

• Provide for network administration with flexibility to change consistently with University technology infrastructure expansion
• Provide free workshops to students on use of technology for degree credit
• Develop a support and maintenance program
• Technicians
• Helpdesks
• Budget
• Provide training on use of technology for students, faculty, and Staff
• Provide for continuing education for network administrators and Technicians

• Establish community partnerships, internships, focus groups between and within disciplines
• Provide invitational workshops to highlight faculty / student work
• Develop University Website to showcase faculty/student research and presentations

• Establish Innovation Grant process
• Establish seed grants
• Encourage grantsmanship among all faculty
• Promote cross-discipline research and grants writing among faculty
• Establish working groups among faculty in various disciplines
• Encourage grants writing among all faculty for external funding sources
• Provide peer recognition opportunities
• Publish faculty research/presentation abstracts annually

• Implement student identification card upgrades (Copy Card Component, Electronic Book Voucher, etc.)
• Establish mechanism for annual review of needs
• Purchase specialized software for local applications
• Provide training for users and support personnel in specialized applications

• Develop a process by which colleges and directorates can request that student technology enhancement projects be funded by Student Technology Fees.
• Establish a process that will ensure that all NSU campuses have equivalent technology resources including access, hardware, software, training, personnel, and facilities.

One Year Plan

Three Year Plan

Five Year Plan

• Provide computer laboratories--common access labs
• Student Union- Natchitoches
• Nursing Education Center- Shreveport
• Leesville
• Alexandria
• Increase hours and locations of availability
• Improve access to campus resources, especially on-line courses and distance education, from off-campus locations (on-going)

• Provide computer laboratories-- residence hall labs
• Provide access to administrative systems (grades, registration, housing, etc.)--Interactive Information Kiosks
• Develop On-line job search and résumé service
• Add Data ports in dormitory rooms

• Provide computer laboratories--common access labs (in response to assess needs)

• Conduct needs assessment to identify plans for multimedia classrooms (including hi-resolution projection systems, SMART boards, etc.)
• Organize and staff Instructional Technology Support and Training Centers (Natchitoches and Shreveport)

• Construct multimedia classrooms (including hi-resolution projection systems, SMART boards, etc.)
• Organize and staff Instructional Technology Support and Training Centers (Other campuses according to need)
• Provide Desktop Video Communications
• Develop Web-based Virtual Reality

• Increase application of Web-based Virtual Reality in instruction

• Provide laboratory technicians

• Upgrade laboratory classrooms (hardware, software)
• Provide faculty laboratories

• Continue assessment and upgrade (on-going)

• Add T-1 Line to enhance compressed video delivery

• Provide Web servers for department-level Web-based courses
• Acquire electronic reserves for libraries
• Develop partnerships with business/industry for delivery of electronic instruction to the workplace

• Continue development of web-based courses

• Continue to develop partnerships

• Provide web-based student services

• Develop a University intranet
• Provide training on the use of User-friendly web-based mail systems
• Provide Voice-response communications
• Install a campus-wide fiber optic network
• Provide wireless access at the building level

• Maintain University intranet

• Upgrade connectivity

• Provide for network administration with flexibility to change consistently with University technology infrastructure expansion
• Develop a support and maintenance program
• technicians
• helpdesks
• budget
• Provide training on use of technology for students, faculty, and staff.
• Provide for continuing education for network administrators and technicians

• Provide for network administration with flexibility to change consistently with University technology infrastructure expansion
• Continue support and maintenance program
• technicians
• helpdesks
• budget
• Continue training on use of technology for students, faculty, and staff.
• Continue continuing education for network administrators and technicians

• Provide for network administration with flexibility to change consistently with University technology infrastructure expansion
• Continue support and maintenance program
• technicians
• helpdesks
• budget
• Continue training on use of technology for students, faculty, and staff.

• Develop University Website to showcase faculty/student research and presentations

• Establish community partnerships, internships, focus groups between and within disciplines
• Provide invitational workshops to highlight faculty / student work

• Continue to establish community partnerships, internships, focus groups between and within disciplines
• Continue invitational workshops to highlight faculty / student work

• Establish Innovation Grant process
• Establish seed grants
• Encourage grantsmanship among all faculty
• Promote cross-discipline research and grants writing among faculty
• Establish working groups among faculty in various disciplines
• Encourage grants writing among all faculty for external funding sources
• Provide peer recognition opportunities

• Publish faculty research/presentation abstracts annually
• Provide peer recognition opportunities
• Continue grant process

• Publish faculty research/presentation abstracts annually
• Provide peer recognition opportunities
• Continue grant process

• Establish mechanism for annual review of needs
• Purchase specialized software for local applications
• Provide training for users and support personnel in specialize applications

• Review needs annually

• Purchase specialized software for local applications
• Provide training for users and support personnel in specialize applications

• Review needs annually

• Purchase specialized software for local applications
• Provide training for users and support personnel in specialize applications

• Develop a process by which colleges and directorates can request that student technology enhancement projects be funded by Student Technology Fees.
• Establish a process that will ensure that all NSU campuses have equivalent technology resources including access, hardware, software, training, personnel, and facilities.

• Continue student funded enhancement projects

• Continue to maintain equality of resources on all campuses

• Continue to maintain equality of resources on all campuses

Initiatives

The University’s vision for the use of technology to advance the quality and effectiveness of the teaching/learning process is operationalized in a series of initiatives presented herein. These initiatives are action-oriented and ultimately defined by their product. While they are specific in their intent and method, it is understood that they are malleable. The University technology initiatives will be elaborated and extended within the technology plans developed by the individual colleges. An ongoing evaluation process will be implemented to help ensure the appropriate direction and continued evolution of the technology plan and associated initiatives. Based on the evaluation results, initiatives may be continued, modified, or suspended. The development of new initiatives is an on-going process guided by the University’s vision and facilitated through the efforts of an empowered faculty and student body.

The technology initiatives described herein are arranged within the following categories which are managed and maintained by a sub-committee for each initiative:

Organizational Initiatives – Efforts to define and operationalize an organizational structure responsible for defining, implementing, and evaluating the University’s technology plan.

The maintenance and continued development of the University’s technology plan will require an organizational structure that is flexible and product-oriented. To this end an Office of Academic Computing and Distance Education, in cooperation with the Administrative Computing Center, will implement the University’s technology plan in consultation with the University Information Technology Advisory Council.

A University Information Technology Advisory Council will be established to evaluate progress toward the completion of initiatives, make recommendations with regard to new initiatives, and offer input on all major technology efforts, both academic and administrative. The make-up of the council will reflect the organizational structure of the University and its students. The council will also advise the Academic Vice President and Provost on technology expenditures and annual budget configurations.

Access Initiatives – Those efforts that will help to ensure anytime, anyplace access to information and to the means by which to process this information.

Support Initiatives – Initiatives designed to facilitate the effective and efficient use of technology while ensuring that the technology remains as transparent to the end user as possible.

Innovation Initiatives – Efforts to examine new technologies and their application to the teaching/learning process.

Evaluation

Through Northwestern’s Interactive Technology Planning Web site, every aspect of Northwestern’s technology plan will be made available for input from the University community. The technology plan will be placed on-line and feedback solicited. The technology plan reflects input from students, faculty, administration, and community. Reports on progress toward the completion of the objectives, action plans, and planned initiatives will be linked to the Technology Planning Web Site.

Each objective, action plan, and initiative will be assessed for its impact with respect to its stated intent. The results of any ongoing or summative evaluation will be available on the Web. A written annual report will be presented to the Board of Trustees, University President, and to the SGA President according to the standards set forth by the board.

Each college is strongly encouraged to develop its own technology planning Web-site which will be linked to the University site. Regardless, as part of the University annual report there will be an evaluation of the college-level technology initiatives.

• Increased state funding
• An increase in grant funding from private and governmental agencies.
• Acquistion of capital outlay funds.
• Effective stewardship of the a student technology fee.

NSTEP OBJECTIVE

ACTION PLANS ( )

• Provide computer laboratories--common access labs, residence hall labs.
             Student labs were installed in the following 
                 areas: Shreveport Nursing, Leesville Campus, 
                 Biology,  Journalism, General College and 
                 Boozman Dorm
• Increase hours and locations of availability (this is an oncoming process, as enrollment increases lab hours and availability increase to meet the needs of the students)
• Provide access to administrative systems (grades, registration, housing, etc.)--Interactive Information Kiosks
               Interactive Information Kiosks have been installed
                   in Watson Library to provide students with 
                   personal information that can be accessed through
                   a web-based student service.
• Add Data ports in dormitory rooms (funding requested from state legislature)
• Improve access to campus resources, especially on-line courses and distance education, from off-campus locations.
           o     A Desktop Video Conferencing system has been 
                  installed in 8 receives sites located in and around
                 Central Louisiana.
• Develop Job Location and Development Office
           o    Software has been purchased and should  be on-line
                  for Spring '01

• Construct multimedia classrooms
                College of Education added two
                     presentation/multimedia stations, two (2) IMACS, 
                     one (1) digital camera, software, which includes 
                     video editing capabilities; acquired laptop
                     notebook and projector for use at off-campus 
                     sites; purchased laser/color printers that are  
                     networked with the computer lab to provide 
                     quality printing
                 All departments on campus have been equipped
                     with a presentation station for student use.  Each 
                     station includes: computer, vcr, document camera,
                     and projector
                 College of Business installed seven presentation 
                      stations in different classrooms within the college
             >      College of Education added demonstration
                      stations for usage by the methods students
             >      Louisiana Folklife Center purchased thirty (30) 
                      transcriptions machines for students to use when 
                      conducting fieldwork experiences
• Organize and staff an Instructional Technology Support and Training Centers 
             o       A training facility has been installed in Russell 
                      Hall to provide technology training to faculty 
                      and staff
• Provide Desktop Video Communications
             o       A Desktop Video Conferencing system has been 
                       installed in 8 receives sites located in and around 
                      Central Louisiana

• Upgrade laboratory classrooms (hardware, software)
              o      College of Education installed new internet 
                       connections to all multimedia classrooms
                   Purchased software for Biology Laboratory,
                       Radiologic Technology (software and 
                       anthropomorphic phantoms), Creative and 
                       Performing Arts, Student Services, Chemistry and 
                       Physics, Language and Communications, 
                       Leesville campus
                o     Watson Library has implemented the 
                       Interlibrary Loan project LALINC (the
                       Louisiana Academic Libraries Information
                       Network Consortium)
                   Purchased communication and navigation 
                       radios for Aviation Science
                   College of Business is in the process of installing 
                       network connectivity in all multimedia 
                       classrooms
              >      College of Education installed Office 2000 in the 
                       computer labs and classrooms
• Provide faculty laboratories
              >      Training facility installed in Russel Hall provides 
                       ongoing training for faculty in the development 
                       of different aspects of technology
• Provide laboratory technicians
                  For FY '99-00 Contracted 1 Support Specialist, 1
                      Network Administrator, 5 student lab
                      coordinators, 2 Help Desk Technicians, and 29 
                      student lab assistants

• Enhance the Compressed Video Network
                   Installed new work stations and upgraded the 
                       audio
              o      Desktop Video Conferencing has been installed 
                       which delivers courses to 8 receives sites located
                       in and around Central Louisiana
• Develop partnerships with business/industry for delivery of electronic instruction to the workplace
               o     Selected K-12 teachers and high education 
                       faculty are completing a series of training
                      modules that will assist them in the delivery of
                      electronic courses
              >      Department of Industrial and Engineering 
                      Technology is currently providing training to 
                      Alliance Compressors to enhance technical 
                      knowledge
              >     Department of Industrial and Engineering
                     Technology is currently providing 
                      skills-enhancement training in electronics for 
                     Lucent Technologies employees
• Provide Web servers for department-level Web-based courses 
             >      Recently upgraded to new server
• Acquire electronic reserves for libraries
             o      Watson Library has implemented the Interlibrary 
                     Loan project LALINC (the Louisiana Academic 
                     Libraries Information Network Consortium)

• Develop a University intranet
             o     The adopted Pipeline access which is the first 
                     phase to an intranet university
• Provide web-based student services
             o     Developed student friendly university homepage, 
                    created web-based Student Information Center 
                    including accessibility to on-line registration, 
                    grade information, financial aid, student holds, 
                    unofficial transcripts, and ability to change 
                    personal address, and Up to the Minute News
             o     Installed a student intranet portal, Pipeline
• Provide training on the use of User-friendly web-based mail systems
             >    Training facility in Russell Hall provides ongoing 
                    training
• Install a campus-wide fiber optic network
                In the spring of 2000 fiber links were installed in 
                    the Student Center, and to Kyser Hall, currently it 
                    is being installed at Warrington Place-Shreveport
                    Nursing and at the Leesville campus
• Provide wireless access at the building level
                Prather Coliseum and NSU Airport have been 
                    installed with wireless access
• Provide Voice-response communications
            o      Money for a new phone switch has been secured
                    and will be installed in '01-02

• Provide for network administration with flexibility to change consistently with University technology infrastructure expansion
             o     Increased number of fiber links to campus 
                     buildings
             o     Expanded network switching capability 
• Develop a support and maintenance program
• Provide training on use of technology for students, faculty, and staff
             o      A training facility has been positioned in Russell 
                     Hall to provide technology training to faculty and 
                     staff
                 Student Training lab in development for 
                     2001-2002
• Provide for continuing education for network administrators and technicians
             >     A training facility in Russell Hall has been 
                    installed to provide technology ongoing training 
                    to administrators, faculty and staff   

• Establish community partnerships, internships, focus groups between and within disciplines
            o     Through funding from the Louisiana Natural
                   Resources Department, a group of K-12 teachers 
                   and higher education faculty are completing a 
                   series of training modules that will assist them in 
                   the delivery of electronic courses

• Establish Innovation Grant process
• Establish seed grants
             o     There were a total of 11 CURIA for a total of
                    $11,580 awarded to faculty and students
• Encourage grantsmanship among all faculty
                  Student Technology Fees provides $200,000+ in 
                      grant money available annually for 
                      faculty/student proposals
• Promote cross-discipline research and grants writing among faculty
• Establish working groups among faculty in various disciplines
• Encourage grants writing among all faculty for external funding sources
            >    In 1999-2000, 54 individual faculty members 
                        (with additional collaborating faculty members) 
                        submitted 68 proposals, with a success rate of 
                       72%, securing $4 million
               o      Currently the university has approximately $10 
                        million in active grants

• Establish mechanism for annual review of needs
               o      Information Technology Advisory Council 
                       (ITAC) meets periodically to discuss the needs of 
                       the university
                    Student Technology Advisory Team (STAT)
                        meets periodically to discuss the technology 
                        needs for the student body of the university
                        including off-campus sites 
• Purchase specialized software for local applications
                    Purchased software for Biology Laboratory 
                        Radiologic Technology (software and 
                        anthropomorphic phantoms), Creative and 
                        Performing Arts, Student Services, Chemistry
              &n