Approved FY08 Proposals

The following proposals were recommended by the Campus Student Technology Fee Advisory Committee for FY08 Student Technology Fees funding and approved by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Nariman Farvardin, and Vice President and CIO, Dr. Jeffrey Huskamp.

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: School of Music and College Park Scholars Program (Science, Technology and Society)

Project Title: Technology Upgrades for the School of Music Technology Lab

Project Scope/Description: The Music Technology Lab in CSPAC, used by students in the School of Music as well as courses taught to College Park Scholars, is in need of a software upgrade for one of the primary applications used in all courses, Digital Performer. Additional hardware used to input musical compositions and recordings is also needed to permit students alternate methods of recording and manipulating digital audio.

Approved Funding: $5,500

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Stamp Student Union

Project Title: Art & Learning Center - Computer Lab

Project Scope/Description: The Art & Learning Center is interested in offering students, faculty/staff, and community members, classes and workshops on how to use basic design computer software, including Web design and print design. This will give students that are not majoring in graphic design or other art related programs an opportunity to learn how to market themselves more effectively.

The lab would consist of six PCs with one instructor PC; a projector; two scanners; and one laser printer.

Programs to be offered include: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Pro, Fetch (ftp program) Macromedia (Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks)

Approved Funding: $46,290

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Global Communities, Office of International Programs and Writers’ House, ARHU

Project Title: Global Communities/Writers’ House Technology Upgrade

Project Scope/Description: The scope of this project is limited to two new desktop computers, a new printer, a faster network connection, and a computer desk for the Dorchester Hall Computer Lab. The computers will be equipped with the Windows operating system and standard University of Maryland software. The new network connection is intended to decrease the lag time (nearly 10 minutes) it takes for students to access the University of Maryland network from the computer lab. To make the space more conducive to studying, we would like to purchase a new desk for the computers and printer.

Approved Funding: $3,327

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS), Office of Academic Computing Services (OACS)

Project Title: Projector Replacements for LeFrak Hall Open Computer Labs 1 and 4

Project Scope/Description: The CSTFAC funded a proposal last year for an overhaul of the audio/visual system in the LeFrak Hall computer labs. In order to keep the project cost down, OACS re-used a significant amount of existing projection equipment. Unfortunately, two of the re-used projectors are beginning to fail.

The scope of this project is simply to replace the two projectors that are failing. One projector projects instructional content onto a SmartBoard (Lab 4), while the other projects video conferencing content (Lab 1) onto a conventional white board. Projector mounts are also included in this project.

Approved Funding: $3,581

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS), Office of Academic Computing Services (OACS)

Project Title: Expanded Video Conferencing Services

Project Scope/Description: Last year, the CSTFAC approved expenditures to upgrade the audio/visual systems of the computer labs in LeFrak. While that project concluded successfully (we’ve had increased usage of the video conferencing features of each lab for thesis defenses and grant discussions, and we are much better able to electronically join the 4 lab/classrooms to create one large classroom), we’ve received feedback from faculty and students indicating that the computer lab format is not conducive to true video conferencing. They say the layout of the labs is distracting (the many PCs in the labs distract from the actual conference content), and that a return to the days when OACS held video conferences in a conference room setting is desired.

Approved Funding: $7,514

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership

Project Title: How to Make a TERP Impact

Project Scope/Description: In August, 2007, CCEL proudly launched its new Web site, Terp Impact (www.terpimpact.umd.edu). Its purpose is to get students to think about how they will make a difference—a “Terp Impact”—in their own unique way. Terp Impact connects students to the rich opportunities to learn about and practice civic engagement and leadership on campus, in our local communities, and around the world. Its features include the Impact blog with regular entries by student bloggers; a calendar of current events; a brief promotional video; and information and resources on civic engagement and leadership for students, faculty, and staff.

Surveys of students conducted during the spring 2008 semester by the “Street Team” of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union’s marketing department indicate that 34% of students surveyed had visited Terp Impact. Our goal is for regular use of the site by 100% of our students.

Throughout this academic year, Tad Greenleaf, the CCEL Graduate Assistant, will spend significant time and effort promoting Terp Impact across campus. To build on our preliminary marketing last year, we are seeking support for this year’s efforts that include conducting interactive sessions with student organizations of all kinds, fraternities and sororities, residence halls, learning communities, as well as courses across disciplines.

The Terp Impact Marketing Committee, which consists of students and the CCEL GA, has come up with three marketing techniques for this academic year: (1) a video competition in which students would be encouraged to make 2-3 minute videos of “How to Make A Terp Impact,” (2) bulletin boards in residence halls, (3) targeted advertising on Facebook.

Approved Funding: $12,043 partial funding to be used for salary and video camera.

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Science, Department of Physics

Project Title: Digital Transformation of the Physics 107 Laboratory

Project Scope/Description: This proposal is requesting replacement of existing outdated 35mm cameras used in the Phys 107 laboratory with current technology Digital Cameras, interfacing software and computers. The associated lecture course, Phys 106 currently teaches basic optical principles, lenses, photography and how the human eye resembles the camera. It also teaches a unit on digital photography in which many of the features of modern high-end digital cameras (such as white balance, program modes, image enhancement, raw versus jpeg images, etc.) are explained.

Currently, the Phys 107 lab only supports outdated 35mm film cameras. By replacing these cameras with modern digital cameras, students can explore the various aspects of photography as it is almost exclusively done today. This will reinforce the material of the lecture and provide students with an understanding of the features and operation of a camera they may already own or will own in the future. Further digital cameras and associated computer image processing, will allow students to experiment and see their results in near real time.

Approved Funding: $10,582 partial funding to be used only for cameras

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Adele H. Stamp Student Union, Technology Services

Project Title: Provide Technology Equipment for Student Organizations Meeting Rooms

Project Scope/Description: The Stamp Student Union Student Involvement Suite meeting rooms provide student organizations a space to conduct small meetings. The rooms are available for use seven days a week during Stamp Union operating building hours. Each room is equipped with minimal resource of only tables and chairs. The use of technology is expanding on campus and an increase of requests for audiovisual equipment is in high demand. To help address the lack of technology in these meeting rooms we propose to equip the rooms with stationary technology equipment to students using these meeting rooms.

To provide this service for the campus-wide student organization body we will need to populate each room with similar equipment. The rooms will be equipped with door swipe access to enter rooms, a computer, video projector, projection screen, sound system, and podium (podium used to house computer equipment and control audio/video projection). The audiovisual staff will work in conjunction with vendors to install equipment and sound system.

Approved Funding: $21,813 partial funding for either one meeting room as proposed or two rooms at a lower cost per room

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Adele H. Stamp Student Union, Technology Services

Project Title: Internet Kiosk Stations

Project Scope/Description: The Stamp Student Union has a laptop checkout system used by students campus-wide non-stop daily. This program allows students to sign out a laptop for a 2-hour period supplying access to the internet and basic Microsoft office programs. To assist with the increase requests of laptops, for past year we have pilot two laptops on the information desk counter to analyze student usage 5-minute laptops. The counter laptop stations have been a huge success, with number of students lining up to use equipment. We recognize from this pilot that we need to have more stations throughout the Stamp. Therefore, installing some internet kiosks throughout the building can facilitate our over whelming demand for laptops and minimize lines to use the counter laptops. We want to begin with one station in student common lounge areas. This requires three kiosks, one each floor of the Stamp Student Union and as the time goes on, we can increase kiosks stations as needed.

Approved Funding: $15,347 partial funding for two kiosks as proposed or for additional lower-cost kiosks.

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Adele H. Stamp Student Union, Technology Services

Project Title: Provide Pay-for-Print to Students Using Laptop Checkout Service

Project Scope/Description: The Stamp Student Union has a laptop checkout system used by students campus-wide non-stop daily. This program allows students to sign out a laptop for a 2-hour period for use within the building. Laptops supply access to the internet and basic Microsoft office programs. To serve students better with this program, we propose to implement the university pay-for-print system on laptops. This program can give students the ability to print from the laptop and pick-up documents from within the Student Involvement Suite. The Student Involvement Suite is open to all students seven days a week during Stamp Union operating hours.

Approved Funding: $2,548

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Department of English

Project Title: An Online Journal of First Year Writing

Project Scope/Description: In January, 2009, the First Year Writing Program will launch its first ever e-journal entitled, Interpolations: A Journal of First Year Writing. The Web site is currently being developed and will eventually be housed within the English Department’s Web site. Operation of the journal will be as follows: essay submissions will be made electronically; an eight member editorial board (made up of graduate student, English 101 instructors) will review, select, and edit the essays; and issues of the journal will be e-published at the start of each spring and each fall semester. In addition to the selected essays, there will be monitored online forums that will allow responses and continuing dialogues to grow out of the journal articles. Lastly, each issue will be archived online.

This proposal requests the necessary hardware and staff time to most fully utilize this new resource. The Interpolations editorial board will use the laptop computer for organizing, editing, and storing essay submissions; for corresponding with English 101 students and instructors; for monitoring and maintaining journal forums; and for promoting the journal to students, faculty, and other academic institutions.

Approved Funding: $9,200

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Graduate Student Government

Project Title: Graduate Student Lounge Enhancement

Project Scope/Description: We hope to buy two computers to enhance the Graduate Student Lounge located in the Stamp Student Union.

Approved Funding: $3,136

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: UMIACS

Project Title: UMIACS Student Workstations for General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit Computing (GPGPU)

Project Scope/Description: General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit Computing is a new approach that utilizes commodity graphics cards for high performance computing tasks. The approach is increasing widespread in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences. This proposal will make four workstations with high-end graphics cards and software for GPGPU computing available to all students that are affiliated with the Institute’s research and outreach programs.

Approved Funding: $2,396

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: College of Education, Department of Measurement, Statistics & Evaluation

Project Title: EDMS Simulation and Computation Lab

Project Scope/Description: Convert secure faculty conference room to a student computer lab for measurement and statistical simulation and computation research. Requesting 12 dual core desktop computers and monitors, power cords, power cords and Ethernet cables, Ethernet jack installation, networked laser printer, LCD projector, necessary lab software, computer tables and chairs, and pull-down wall-mount screen. Lab requires no construction. Additional ancillary expenses and subsequent hardware and software maintenance will be paid for by the department using moneys generated from departmental training activities; a part-time GA will also be assigned to the lab. The College of Education provides free tech support.

Approved Funding: $30,373 partial funding for 6 workstations

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Campus Recreation Services

Project Title: CRS Smart Rooms

Project Scope/Description: This project would involve the retrofitting of several classrooms, multipurpose rooms and conference areas in a way that would match the numerous other “smart” classrooms on campus. Specifically, the project would include the installation of a motorized retractable screen, LCD projector, a new sound system, a podium with a wireless microphone and a multimedia control station in each location. Room size may require a flat panel television in lieu of a projector and screen in some locations, but the overall project scope would remain the same. There would not be any alterations to the physical space in this process due to the enhancement nature of the project.

Approved Funding: $27,000 partial funding for just 3 rooms

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: ARHU, The Art Gallery

Project Title: Interactive Stations for The Art Gallery Media Room

Project Scope/Description: In January of 2008, The Art Gallery unveiled a new Media Room in our public gallery space as part of our mission to nurture emerging trends in the art world and encourage artists to explore the boundaries of contemporary art practice and to create new and innovative work. The purpose of the Media Room is to provide students with rewarding opportunities for learning in the hope that they will gain valuable insight into our exhibits and permanent collection as well as the greater historical and cultural contexts in which works of art are made. We now wish to move on to the next stage of implementation by including three interactive stations in the Media Room.

As digital art continues to take a prominent place in contemporary art world, The Art Gallery wants to be better equipped to help define its forms and cultural contributions. The gallery currently has DVD players and video projectors for screening video works and educational programs. With the addition of the interactive stations, planned activities include cutting edge digital installations by artists, virtual exhibits of the permanent collection, and expanded resources to complement the on-site temporary exhibition. Each station would give access to additional educational resources, from programs created by The Art Gallery to links to other resources on topical issues in the art world. Educational programs, such as the award winning Art21 program on PBS, would be available. The stations will also provide access to interviews and events through an archive of podcasts and video. Students would be able to participate on the Gallery blog by providing direct feedback evaluating their experience in the gallery and participating in discussion on issues in the contemporary art field.

Approved Funding: $3,812

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: College of Education

Project Title: Interactive Whiteboards for Technology Classrooms and the Computer Lab: Phase One

Project Scope/Description: The College of Education is actively engaged in promoting the strategic use of technology to enhance student learning. The easier it is for faculty to use advanced technologies in their teaching, the greater the opportunity for innovative and effective teaching and learning to occur. To that end, we are looking to pilot availability of Smart Technology's Interactive SmartBoards and/or Sympodiums in both a fixed location (our reservable computer lab), as well as mobile to multiple classrooms. Construction needs would be limited to the fixed location installation. Faculty support for this project would be provided by our in-house classroom technology support staff, who will assist with classroom set-up on an as-needed basis. All support staff will be trained on their use, allowing multiple paths of faculty assistance. A successful pilot during phase one would prompt additional installations for year two.

Approved Funding: $16,580 partial funding for 2 SmartBoards

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: GEMSTONE Student Group, FASTR – Finding Alternative Specialized Travel Routes

Project Title: TerpNav Pedestrian Map

Project Scope/Description: Team FASTR recently introduced to campus the TerpNav dynamic pedestrian map as part of our team’s research into sustainability of information systems. This pilot application focuses on accessible routes and, very shortly, will provide mechanisms for all members of the community to participate in updating and improving the information base. Since August, we have been soliciting and compiling feedback regarding the map and plan to continue to do so throughout this semester as part of our IRB approved evaluation of the system’s usability. The system is available at http://map.umd.edu and in collaboration with both the campus office of Conferences and Visitor Services and the Office of Administrative Affairs. It is also providing the collateral of value of helping campus understand how many services that a digital mapping system can provide.

While still experimental in our view, this student-built map tool is already being used as if a ‘production’ service, and the Computer Science Department development machine on which it is hosted is now fully dedicated to serving the campus community. This host gets many thousands of hits per day. We are very pleased with the apparent success to date, but concerned that our development of the next level of new services will conflict with the present service to students.

Therefore, we propose to use the proposed funds to purchase additional computer network servers in order to continue providing our map service to campus while concurrently developing the next tools. Throughout the next full year during which we are committed to providing this map service, these new computers will be housed within the Gemstone Mentor’s laboratory and maintained by the Computer Science Department. At the conclusion of their useful life within the project, these computers will move to a support role in the software engineering laboratory for teaching purposes in the program. It will be at this time that we anticipate that the map service itself will transition from our pilot project to a campus supported capability.

Approved Funding: $15,000

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: School of Public Health

Project Title: Classroom Video Cameras

Project Scope/Description: We propose to install a video camera system in the large SPH Building classrooms. These rooms have seating for 200, 70, 65, and 60. The purpose of this proposal is to create a virtual classroom and address space limitations campus wide. In 2007, the College of Health and Human Performance became the School of Public Health. As the School works towards accreditation, we expect an increase in faculty, staff and undergraduate/graduate students. We feel one way to handle this increase is through the use of technology. Increase in the number of students who have access to the class will be conducted through podcasting and video streaming. Specifically, this provides the capability for collaboration with the University of Maryland Baltimore department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine. These lectures will be delivered to both campuses simultaneously. Also, the presence of cameras will also increase the efficiencies in providing underclass instruction to the Shady Grove population. Due to limited resources and limited seats, it is not possible to offer every class needed for undergraduate programming at Shady Grove. Again, on campus, lectures can be delivered to Shady Grove campus with the use of these cameras.

Approved Funding: $14,000 partial funding for 2 rooms

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Center for Teaching Excellence, OIT

Project Title: Enhancing Online Work Space for Students via TerpConnect

Project Scope/Description: OIT wants to give students the ability to “access, create, and collaborate.” Access to files and Web space from anywhere a student has an Internet connection; access to specialized software via the Internet; and access to classmates, colleagues, and friends. Create personal Web pages, blogs, wikis; create a portfolio of accomplishments and work. Collaborate with friends, instructors, colleagues, and classmates in real time; share original work, ideas; invite others to comment or build on projects. TerpConnect is an OIT project slated over multiple years to provide these types of resources to enhance student learning on campus. (http://terpconnect.umd.edu)

OIT is endeavoring to improve the campus infrastructure and the services available to the campus community. One effort is to offer easy access to a consolidated set of tools for each student on campus. Called TerpConnect, this set of tools would include file storage, Web space, and Web 2.0 tools like wikis and blogs. With a primary goal to enhance student the academic experience for UM students, OIT has started the effort with the consolidation of WAM and Glue environments. This currently gives students 200MB of storage and Web publishing space. This is a limited amount of space when looking at student projects that require media files that could be 100MB or more themselves.

For this first year of the TerpConnect project, the goal is to offer students access to personal and academic blogs and wikis, and 1GB of space for Web pages and file storage. OIT has set up a project to work on the blogs and wikis part of this first year goal. The current amount of space, while double the amount of space students had just last year, is limiting for students to be able to take full advantage of the possibilities. Increased storage is critical to the success of this project.

Approved Funding: $58,000

College/Unit/Department/Student Organization: Academic Affairs/ Nyumburu Cultural Center

Project Title: Nyumburu Student Open Workstation Computer Labs

Project Scope/Description: The proposed project is designed to upgrade two existing computer labs, which include 17 outdated GX 280 and GX260 Dell computers and two printers (i.e., HP Laser Jet 5si/mx and HP 4050 TN). The two computer labs have been in operation since Fall 2000 with only one lab upgrade in Room 1111. The overall goal for upgrading the two labs is to provide current up-to-date computing capability and academic support to the undergraduate students, graduate students, and occasional faculty and staff who utilize our computers for courses and special programs. Moreover, if funded, Nyumburu will have the capability to co-sponsor course study sessions, career seminars, and special presentations from visiting artists and lecturers. Our academic services are utilized individually by approximately 3,000 African American, African, and Caribbean students and 2,000 undergraduate students of diverse ethnicities.

Collectively, student organizations as the Black Student Union (BSU), African Student Association (ASA), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Caribbean Student Association (CSA) and various other student groups are also interested in planning programmatic community outreach initiatives related to: the environment, public policy, musical and artistic education awareness, and educational interventions involving local public schools. By utilizing the upgraded computers, student organizations will have the technological capability to sponsor these types of events.

Approved Funding: $22,923