In March, the Board of Regents passed the 2011-2012 Operating and Capital budgets with increased resources of $300,000 for technology upgrades on campus which are now underway and will continue over the course of the summer. A further $150,000 in federal and provincial grants will be used to equip the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex. Highlights include:
COMPUTERS:
- 400 new PCs, which will allow us to replace 200 of our older models and install 150 new computers in the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex.
- Our highest priority for new computers is high-traffic student areas including the Library, student commons and student computer labs.
- Our intent is to continue replacing one quarter of older PC’s on campus on a rolling annual basis for all faculty and staff and students.
WIRELESS CAPACITY:
- We are adding more capacity by replacing our wireless system on campus to better accommodate higher speeds required by mobile devices such as IPADs, smart phones and laptops. This will be in effect later this fall.
- We are currently looking into options for providing more recharging stations on campus for student laptops.
- We have quadrupled bandwidth for internet use on campus this past year and continue to increase bandwidth in response to need.
EMAIL:
-
We have shifted University student email to a new Webmail-based system which offers more storage, features, and flexibility for students.
-
Faculty and staff will receive new Outlook email systems in the coming months.
SMART CLASSROOMS:
- We are in a continual cycle of expanding smart classrooms on campus at a cost of $8,000 to $10,000 each.
- On the main campus, 9 classrooms are being retrofitted this summer as Smart Classrooms.
- We are equipping 9 new science labs at smart classrooms.
- All new classrooms in Buhler, Richardson and AnX buildings are smart classrooms.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
-
We are currently looking at hiring student assistants to staff a student Help Desk.
