Matching technology funds have major impact
By Joe Kleinsasser
 WSU’s two computer labs in Jabara Hall have been significantly expanded and upgraded, thanks to a state-funded program that matched $2 for every $1 from student fees. Most of the 90 computer stations are in constant use from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays and 1-8 p.m. weekends. |
For the past three years, WSU has been upgrading its technology infrastructure because of a special state program that matched contributions from student fees.
Gary Ott, executive director of university computing, says the program came at a critical time and it has made a tremendous difference.
The state budget has included a two-for-one match of student dollars to support technology, computer labs and equipment at state universities. That meant the state put in $2 for each $1 students contributed per credit hour.
Gov. Graves and the Kansas Legislature have fulfilled their three-year commitment to the program. The program’s future is uncertain, as it wasn’t included in the governor’s budget recommendations.
The program generated more than $865,000 for technology support at WSU this year, and more than $2.5 million in its three-year run.
"It’s been one of the most exciting things that we’ve had since we built this building (Jabara Hall in 1992)," says Ott. "We finally had a significant amount of funding available to really make some difference. It’s also the kind of investment that we need to do in technology on this campus to stay current.
"We’re kind of like a utility ... water or electricity. You don’t think about it. But if it starts to degrade, if you have a shortage or it doesn’t provide you what you need, it becomes critical quickly. The infrastructure is very, very important to the health of the campus."
Ott says the technology funding has had a significant impact on computing, the library, Media Resources Center and the academic colleges.
"All of the things that we’ve done with the funding have been something that relates to improving instruction, something to do with helping students by providing technology that improves their productivity has been our focus," he says.
Ott says the funds have strengthened the computing network on campus, transforming it from a fairly outdated, obsolete network to a very robust fiber-optic network.
Twenty-four buildings were upgraded to provide an ethernet infrastructure that is 10 times faster than the standard ethernet connection.
High-speed campus networks and increased bandwidth to the Internet must be supported if WSU is to compete in higher education’s instructional and research environment, Ott says.
Student labs also have seen significant improvements. The last major improvement to those labs was when Jabara Hall was built. The technology program made it possible to bring the labs up to date.
During this fiscal year, 54 computer systems were added to the labs. This was the last year of a two-year project to completely replace both hardware and software in the labs, which are available to students, staff and faculty.
The updated labs have been a tremendous success with usage far exceeding expectations. Most of the 90 computer stations are in constant use from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays and 1-8 p.m. weekends.
"Students pack the labs," says Ott. "We’ve actually put little stickers on all equipment that was bought with these funds."
Every project funded by the technology program had to be approved through a technology committee at WSU. "It was a very important process that we put in place to really monitor and try to best utilize this funding," says Ott.
