Project Name: Funding for Open Access Resources
Project Sponsors: Bill Koseluk (Instructional
Computing), Larry Carver (Library), Deborah Scott (Student Affairs)
Project Summary:
“Open Access” refers to a
suite of technology-related services which is not affiliated with academic
departments, or based upon their enrollment in any courses. Usage of “instructional computing” resources
(i.e., computing laboratories used in instruction) is rationed by various
scheduling processes which restrict access to those enrolled in a few,
specific, courses. Thus, a significant number of students are excluded from
many academic computing resources as computing resources are becoming more of
an essential part of students’ interaction with the University (e.g., on-line course
registration).
Open access computing also
provides great utility and convenience for students who need to conduct
research in the Library, or who need to exchange information with faculty or
other students via electronic mail, or who need to use computing resources in
the context of their academic work.
This type of computing is a major component of academic computing, yet
it has not been funded to date. (The
first open access computing facility was opened in 1986 by Instructional
Computing, known then as the Microcomputer Laboratory.)
Presently there are three
major open access venues on campus: the
Phelps Hall general facility, the Kerr Hall Web Lab, and the large collection
of computers used in the Library for catalog and information access. Each of these facilities is funded on the
“fringes” of the respective budgets of the Library and Instructional
Computing. Expansion/upgrading and
consultation services (features typical of instructional facilities) are not
possible for these facilities as there is still no open access budget.
Demand for open access is
tremendous. In fact, it is no
exaggeration to say that every open access computing resource is in near
constant use. For many years the Phelps
Hall facility was shown by the office of Budget and Planning as an example of
campus room crowding. Even though open
access machinery is dated (old instructional equipment is used to equip open
access facilities), the labs nonetheless are heavily utilized. Thus, even though there is still no permanent
funding for open access, demand is driving the planning for new open access
facilities, including an expanded facility in the Library offering a full
complement of standard software and, a new facility in the developing Student
Services building.
This project is a proposal for funding related to the management of the three existing open access areas, in addition to two planned facilities (i.e., a new Library facility and Embarcadero Hall, the new Student Services building). It is reasonable to continue the practice of recycling older instructional computer systems through open access facilities, so equipment funding is not critical. Staff support is what is most needed, specifically in the areas of student consultation (direct support to users) and systems administration (staff infrastructure support). Although there are costs involved in this proposal, it should be noted that the proposed staffing would serve all the campus open access entities, and this represents an economy-of-scale: This centralized approach is less costly (and more feasible) than a decentralized approach requiring major staffing at all sites.
How this Project Supports the Academic Mission:
Computing is an integral part
of instruction throughout the university.
All academic areas are equally deserving of resources. However, all areas are not currently served
equally. Open Access computing is a
means to correct some deficiencies in resource provisions and provide a
significant supplement to the technology provision. Based on the software
installed in open facilities and the students using them, students in open
facilities are engaged in academic work as significant and mission-oriented as
any conducted in the instructional labs, and users are seen from virtually all
disciplines. Campuswide funding has
long recognized the significance of instructional computing. There should be some budgetary allocation
for open access facilities and services.
Funding Source:
To date, the Phelps and Kerr
open access facilities have been funded from the fringes of the Instructional
Computing budget. It has done so since
1986. The Library continues to fund its
considerable computing resources from its own budget.
Costs:
Direct consultation (student
staffing) should be available for all student computer users, not just those
enrolled in a small subset of “instructional computing” courses. Based on the funding model for instructional
facilities, the approximate annual cost of student consulting, per lab, with
each facility open 70-90 hours per week for the academic term (Fall, Winter,
Spring), at the basic wage of $7.50/ hour, is $25,000. We request funding for three
facilities: The Phelps, Library and
Student Affairs Open Access facilities.
Please note that funding for the Student Affairs facility would be
deferred until the building is complete.
A significant component of
open access computing is the systems support functions. Increasingly, in the interest of efficiency
and security, thin client systems are utilized, ending the need for staff to
install and maintain software at each, individual machine: With the thin clients, a single, central
server is in place, and only this needs to be maintained. We propose a single FTE to manage the server
that will support all open access facilities, and most likely the campus
NetStations as well. This position
would be at the CNT-II or III level, or approximately $50,000-50,000 annually.
Summary: Student consultants (3 labs, @ $25,000); One
CNT support ($50,000)
Instructional Computing will
certainly continue its support of general computing and may provide some of the
student consulting costs detailed above.
Similarly, the Library and Student Affairs have already contributed considerable
resources to their respective computing provisions. Neither entity has funding for the proposed CNT position.
Staff Support Required
As detailed above:
3 labs of student consulting
(General Assistance): $75,000, annually
1 CNT (II or III): $50,000, annually
All positions would support
all existing campus open access facilities, plus two new facilities currently
in planning. The CNT position would
support the campus NetStation fleet as well as the general computing
facilities.
Existing Resources to be Used:
All equipment required for
facilities has either been acquired, or will be provided through already funded
instructional equipment processes.
Software will be provided by Instructional Computing from its license
base of many commonly used products.
Project Timeline:
Several open access
facilities are already in service, though they are unfunded. The new Embaracero Hall is scheduled for
September 2002; the Library facility is ready to open when funding is made
available.
Life Cycle of Result:
If funded, this proposed open
access staff infrastructure should be effective for many years to come. It is not predicted that there will be a
significant increase in general computing beyond this level.