ACADEMICSTechnology Maintenance and Replacement
The College of Education is in the process of creating formal policies and procedures for ensuring the maintenance and replacement of computer hardware and software. The information provided is a working document.Education Technology Services (ETS) is the formal technology support unit for the College of Education. ETS has a budget allocation for technology staff, computer lab supplies (paper and toner), and technology maintenance. ETS nor the college has a line item in the budget for new technology purchases (hardware, software, or peripherals), although it does have a formal plan in place to acquire such items. Technology requests are separated into two categories; students and faculty/staff.
Student Technology Purchases
Student technology (computer lab equipment, software for instruction, printers for students, lab assistants, etc....) is usually acquired from student technology fees. All UWG students pay a technology fee. A formal university committee has been established to distribute the funds based on formal policies and guidelines. A formal process is in place on campus to request funding for student technology fees. It is up to the Director of ETS to collaborate with the faculty, submit requests for new student technology, acquire the funding, and upgrade the equipment based on student and instructional needs.
Faculty and Staff Technology Purchases
College of Education faculty and staff have a formal process to request new technology items (office computers, departmental printers, administrative and academic office software, etc...) via the college intranet. College of Education faculty and staff can submit a request to the "Needs List" form on the intranet. They must submit a description, cost and justify their request. The justification must indicate how it meets the mission of the College. The College Technology Committee reviews the Needs List at which time the list is prioritized. When funding becomes available, the Dean may choose to consider the prioritized Needs List for technology purchases. Funding for faculty/staff items is usually acquired at the end of the fiscal year using available funds.
Grant Funding for Technology
On occasion, grants acquired by faculty and/or the College are used for either student or faculty/staff technology purchases. The grant director usually works with the Director of ETS to make sure the purchase meets the campus guidelines for technology and that the requests are not replicated at other funding sources requests.
Using Travel Funds for Faculty/Staff Technology
In the past, some faculty members have chosen to use travel funds to purchase technology for their office computer. This could include new or upgraded software purchases or the addition of a peripheral (i.e., digital camera, CD burner, scanner). The faculty or staff member must utilize ETS to obtain a quote to make sure they are meeting their computer system requirements and getting the best pricing.
Computer Rotation Plan
The College of Education has a formal computer rotation plan for faculty/staff computing. This plan allows for flexibility in upgrades but provides new computers for one-third of faculty and staff each year. This plan allows each faculty and staff member to receive a new computer at the beginning of every fourth year. The plan was established two years ago and two-thirds of the faculty and staff have received upgrades. This request follows the procedures of the Needs List and is the number one priority request before any other internal technology purchases.
Student lab computer rotations are based on working with College of Education faculty, forecasting instructional needs, and requesting student technology fee funds.
Flexibility in Funding
From time-to-time internal funding is used to purchase student technology items. These purchases are usually based on a time factor or immediate instructional needs. The College of Education Dean locates the funding source and approves the purchase.
