Project: Funding for Open Access Resources
Sponsor: Bill Koseluk (Instructional Computing), Larry Carver (Library), Deborah Scott (Student Affairs)
Summary
“Open Access” refers to a suite of technology-related services which is not affiliated with academic departments, or based upon their enrollment in any courses. Usage of “instructional computing” resources (i.e., computing laboratories used in instruction) is rationed by various scheduling processes which restrict access to those enrolled in a few, specific, courses. Thus, a significant number of students are excluded from many academic computing resources as computing resources are becoming more of an essential part of students’ interaction with the University (e.g., online course registration).
Open access computing also provides great utility and convenience for students who need to conduct research in the Library, or who need to exchange information with faculty or other students via electronic mail, or who need to use computing resources in the context of their academic work. This type of computing is a major component of academic computing, yet it has not been funded to date. (The first open access computing facility was opened in 1986 by Instructional Computing, known then as the Microcomputer Laboratory.)
Presently there are three major open access venues on campus: the Phelps Hall general facility, the Kerr Hall Web Lab, and the large collection of computers used in the Library for catalog and information access. Each of these facilities is funded on the “fringes” of the respective budgets of the Library and Instructional Computing. Expansion/upgrading and consultation services (features typical of instructional facilities) are not possible for these facilities as there is still no open access budget.
Demand for open access is tremendous. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that every open access computing resource is in near-constant use. For many years the Phelps Hall facility was shown by the office of Budget and Planning as an example of campus room crowding. Even though open access machinery is dated (old instructional equipment is used to equip open access facilities), the labs nonetheless are heavily utilized. Thus, even though there is still no permanent funding for open access, demand is driving the planning for new open access facilities, including an expanded facility in the Library offering a full complement of standard software, and a new facility in the developing Student Services building.
This project is a proposal for funding related to the management of the three existing open access areas, in addition to two planned facilities (i.e., a new Library facility and Embarcadero Hall, the new Student Services building). It is reasonable to continue the practice of recycling older instructional computer systems through open access facilities, so equipment funding is not critical. Staff support is what is most needed, specifically in the areas of student consultation (direct support to users) and systems administration (staff infrastructure support). Although there are costs involved in this proposal, it should be noted that the proposed staffing would serve all the campus open access entities, and this represents an economy of scale: this centralized approach is less costly (and more feasible) than a decentralized approach requiring major staffing at all sites.
How This Project Supports the Academic Mission
Computing is an integral part of instruction throughout the university. All academic areas are equally deserving of resources. However, all areas are not currently served equally. Open Access computing is a means to correct some deficiencies in resource provisions and provide a significant supplement to the technology provision. Based on the software installed in open facilities and the students using them, students in open facilities are engaged in academic work as significant and mission-oriented as any conducted in the instructional labs, and users are seen from virtually all disciplines. Campus-wide funding has long recognized the significance of instructional computing. There should be some budgetary allocation for open access facilities and services.
Funding Source
To date, the Phelps and Kerr open access facilities have been funded from the fringes of the Instructional Computing budget. It has done so since 1986. The Library continues to fund its considerable computing resources from its own budget.
Costs
Direct consultation (student staffing) should be available for all student computer users, not just those enrolled in a small subset of “instructional computing” courses. Based on the funding model for instructional facilities, the approximate annual cost of student consulting, per lab, with each facility open 70-90 hours per week for the academic term (Fall, Winter, Spring), at the basic wage of $7.50/ hour, is $25,000. We request funding for three facilities: The Phelps, Library and Student Affairs Open Access facilities. Please note that funding for the Student Affairs facility would be deferred until the building is complete.
A significant component of open access computing is the systems support functions. Increasingly, in the interest of efficiency and security, thin client systems are utilized, ending the need for staff to install and maintain software at each, individual machine: With the thin clients, a single, central server is in place, and only this needs to be maintained. We propose a single FTE to manage the server that will support all open access facilities, and most likely the campus NetStations as well. This position would be at the CNT-II or III level, or approximately $50,000 annually.
Summary: Student consultants (3 labs, @ $25,000); One CNT support ($50,000)
Matching Opportunities
Instructional Computing will certainly continue its support of general computing and may provide some of the student consulting costs detailed above. Similarly, the Library and Student Affairs have already contributed considerable resources to their respective computing provisions. Neither entity has funding for the proposed CNT position.
Staff Support Required
As detailed above:
- 3 labs of student consulting (General Assistance): $75,000 annually
- 1 CNT (II or III): $50,000 annually
All positions would support all existing campus open access facilities, plus two new facilities currently in planning. The CNT position would support the campus NetStation fleet as well as the general computing facilities.
Existing Resources to Be Used
All equipment required for facilities has either been acquired, or will be provided through already funded instructional equipment processes. Software will be provided by Instructional Computing from its license base of many commonly used products.
Project Timeline
Several open access facilities are already in service, though they are unfunded. The new Embarcadero Hall is scheduled for September 2002; the Library facility is ready to open when funding is made available.
Life Cycle of Result
If funded, this proposed open access staff infrastructure should be effective for many years to come. It is not predicted that there will be a significant increase in general computing beyond this level.
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