We all know that technology plays a vital and increasingly important role in our lives. And I’m not just talking about tweeting out what you had for breakfast, but technology in the classroom, and beyond.

Everything from a virtual cadaver in kinesiology to iPads that students can borrow in the libraries. Both of these examples were funded through the Student Technology Fee Competitive Proposal Process.

Since 2009, Miami faculty, staff and students have developed innovative and exciting projects with around $5 million of awarded funds. The projects help students in and out of the classroom through the use of technology.

The timeline has changed this year to a fall proposal period, and as such the deadline to submit proposals for 2018-2019 awards is October 12.

Do you have an idea for a proposal?

This year, a total of $525,000 in tech fee funding is available. Committee members are looking for innovative or significant ideas that clearly benefit students. The guidelines define significant in two ways: impacting a large number of students or having a deep impact on a smaller number.

Your project may directly relate to academics or may be part of the broader Miami experience, making students’ lives better or more productive. Both graduate- and undergraduate-focused proposals are encouraged.

The proposal review process includes three steps

Submit academic proposals to the primary applicant’s dean. Submit non-academic proposals to student affairs. This year there is a new electronic form available to submit applications.

1. Following an initial review at their first stop, all proposals are read and evaluated by a group of reviewers including students, faculty and staff members.
2. A panel of IT staff members then reviews the proposals recommended for funding to ensure that requested technology does not already exist at the university, accessibility issues have been addressed, is an appropriate solution and includes any educational discounts.
3. The list of recommended proposals then goes to the IT policy committee, a committee of University Senate. That group has final approval.

Proposals are due October 12

Proposals for the 2018-2019 academic year are due to the deans or student affairs by Friday, October 12. The link to the online application form and the complete guidelines are on the Tech Fee website.

Information Meeting September 11

An open informational meeting and Q&A session will be held on Tuesday, September 11 from 2:45 - 4:45 in Benton Hall 115. For more information visit MiamiOH.edu/techfee or send questions to TechFee@MiamiOH.edu.