Update Computers in Phillips Hall

Project Title: Update Computers in Phillips Hall

Project Lead’s Name: Mary Issenmann

Email: issenmmf@miamioh.edu

Phone: (937) 287-2590

Please Choose the Primary Affiliation: CEHS

Faculty/Staff Sponsor (required for student-submitted proposals): Anita Sackenheim

Sponsor Email Address: sackenac@miamioh.edu

Are There Other Project Team Members?: Yes

Other Project Team Member: Jamie Berray

Other Team Member Email Address: berrayjd@miamioh.edu

Brief description of project: Phillips Hall has a student lounge for the students in the Department of Kinesiology and Health. There are six computers in the student lounge, three Dell computers and three Apple computers. The current computers are nine years old because they were installed in 2008. These computers are for student use where students can print papers and work on their assignments. Lately, the computers in the student lounge haven't been working properly and are outdated. The pay for print hasn't been working because the computers aren't connecting to the printer. IT has tried to fix the problem multiple times, but the attempts to fix it have not worked. Many students have not been able to print out their assignments and have needed the department office to print their assignments. Additionally, due to their age, the computers often run very slowly and can take several minutes to even log on, making it difficult for students to use as a quick resource between classes. This tech fee proposal focuses on providing new computers for the student lounge where students will be able to print and work on their assignments efficiently.

Does this project focus on graduate student education or graduate student life?: No

Describe the problem you are attempting to solve and your approach for solving that problem.: The problem we are attempting to solve is to have updated and working computers connecting with the pay for print. Students have had to email the office department, where we are able to print their assignments. With this process, it takes up time for the office workers to print student's assignments and uses the office's materials for free. Since the computers are nine years old, they are very slow. It takes about five minutes for the computers to turn on and the computers freeze frequently, making them difficult and frustrating to use.

The criteria state that technology fee projects should benefit students in innovative and/or significant ways. How would you describe the innovation and/or significance of your project?: Any student in the Department of Kinesiology and Health has access to the computers in the student lounge. A majority of students do not have their own printer and rely on working computers connected to pay for print. Having new computers will allow for students to have fast connection to the internet, printing ability, and an easier time to work on assignments.

How will you assess the project?: We work in the department office at the front desk, so we will be able to assess the project by checking on the computers regularly. We will assess the connection between the computers and the pay for print on a regular basis, as well as checking in with our peers about their experiences using the computers.

Have you applied for and/or received Tech Fee awards in past years?: No

What happens to the project in year two and beyond? Will there be any ongoing costs such as software or hardware maintenance, supplies, staffing, etc.? How will these be funded?: In year two and beyond, the computers will be used by students which will keep them running and updated. There shouldn't be additional ongoing costs than what is in place already. Ink and paper for the printer is purchased through the department. An IT worker already works in the department so he will be able to fix software or hardware problems.

Budget: Software, Hardware, Contractual Services/Installation/Shipping/Maintenance

Hardware Costs: $5,000.00

Software Costs: $5,000.00

Contractual Services, etc. Costs: $15,000.00

What is the total budget amount requested?: $25,000.00