Qualifying vs. Not Qualifying Projects

These guidelines are used to review funding requests and determine whether they qualify for Student Technology Fee funding or are better handled through some other source. All requests must support learning and teaching and must be used directly by and for students. See a description of each project type. 

Typical requests that qualify for Student Technology Fee funding:

Foundation

• Renewal of out-of-date computers in classrooms and computer labs (Computer Renewal)
• Additional computers for new or existing classrooms and computer labs.
• Upgrade or renewal of out-of-date or inadequate projectors, displays and/or other audiovisual components in classrooms and computer labs.
• Certain technology costs to convert a space into a classroom or computer lab, including conversions of classrooms with no technology (Requires additional approval)
• Adding a Creston control system to manage the audiovisual system.
• An instructor podium to house the audiovisual system and computer.
• Speakers for computer and audiovisual system output.
• Repairs and maintenance of audiovisual system components, including replacement, if necessary.
• Adding network jacks to support classroom or computer lab connectivity.
• Printers, scanners, and other shared devices networked to the student computers.
• Computers or tablets that extend instruction outside of the classroom or computer lab infrastructure proper, such as field work, when tied to a class.
• Computer and equipment locks and cables, including podium door locks and Sonic Shock alarms which are part of the core audiovisual package.
• Carts to store, transport, secure, and charge mobile devices (laptops, iPads, etc.) which are used by students in a classroom or computer lab.
• Audiovisual system components, devices, or changes needed to accommodate people with disabilities (faculty or students). Note: other funding sources may be applicable and all requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Extended

• Adding secondary flat panel or projector displays to a room to improve student viewing.
• Adding or upgrading to interactive displays.
• Adding wireless projection capabilities.
• Cameras and video recording devices that are supplemental to a program and are used for assessment of instruction as opposed to production or to support lecture or in-class content capture and/or videoconferencing.
• Software to manage the instructional or audiovisual environment (e.g., LANSchool) – (Qualifying Software).

Curriculized and ALIST

• Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality equipment to facilitate instructional innovation.
• Specialty printers if an essential and substantial part of a particular course (e.g., 3D Printers).
• Curriculized and discipline-specific software and applications used in support of specific courses, plans, or programs (Qualifying Software), including renewals.

Requests not generally appropriate for Student Technology Fee funding and should be obtained through other sources:

• Physical construction, enhancements, improvements, renovations, repairs to rooms, including lighting and HVAC upgrades. These expenses should generally be planned and budgeted using department or college operating funds, through Facilities requests, or other sources.
• Classroom enhancements such as white boards, paint, green screens, sound deadening, etc.
• Conference rooms primarily for faculty and staff use (i.e. not in the course schedule), offices, or other venues that aren't directly and primarily used for student instruction and learning.
• Department paid or contracted products or services not previously approved.  
• Technologies requested must be established, developed products available for shipping. Requests for creative, innovative, and new technologies are encouraged, they should not be in the pre-development phase.
• Furniture of any kind, with the exception of the instructor’s podium.
• Physical servers to use in a computer lab.
• Security and surveillance equipment such as access control mechanisms for door, room locks, swipe card readers, security cameras, alarm systems.
• Instructional, research, or apparatus controller software, unless students interact as they would a typical software application. This should be planned and budgeted using department or college operating funds (Qualifying Software).
• Equipment that is integral to course work and should be covered by the department (production cameras, instruments and related equipment, and hand tools, including hand-held power tools).
• Consumable supplies such as paper, printer or copier toner, dry-erase markers, etc.
• Digital or display signage of any type unless part of research directly associated with instruction; way finding monitors.
• Pay-for-print stations, supporting hardware, etc.
• Tablets, laptops, iPads, e-readers or other mobile devices used outside of the classroom as a general-use device.
• Replacing items that are still in good condition and within their planned lifespan just for the sake of having new equipment or to standardize on a current model without a compelling cause.
• Spares and backup equipment except those centrally stored and managed by OTS Classroom and Computer Lab Technologies (e.g., projector lamps, etc.).