Northern Virginia Community College
College
Technology Plan
2001 - 2002
7/1/01
(As approved by the College Information
Technology Committee and the College Administrative Council
for Consideration by VCCS)
(As approved by VCCS with additional clarifying language added.)
6-26
Introduction
Over the past five years, Northern Virginia Community College has successfully
implemented each of its annual Technology Plans. There are now modern computers
on every faculty and staff desk, and there are hundreds of computers for
students. Modern office software and access to the Internet is on every
computer. Faculty and staff have participated in hundreds of hours of technology
and technology tools training. E-mail for all faculty, staff and students
has been implemented. There are over 180 distance education courses, many
on the Web, and the Web is a significant component in dozens of courses.
Every computer is connected to the College-wide network, and all classrooms
are also connected to the network. The College has an extensive presence
on the Web, making it a critical communication link with students and the
community at large. The College has also implemented a comprehensive support
and governance structure including desktop technical support, a College-wide
help desk, and automated support tools to allow remote loading of software
and remote asset management.
The following Technology Plan list expectations (goals and objectives)
set by the VCCS and the College's own goals and objectives for technology.
It also establishes broad strategies and budgets for accomplishing those
objectives. Each campus and major unit will develop more specific goals,
objectives and strategies for meeting its component of this plan.
Funding for the budgets included in this plan come from several sources.
First, there is technology funding provided by the VCCS that comes from
M&O funds and student technology fees. Second, there is an Equipment
Trust Fund allocation. The third source of funds is provided by the College's
M&O budget in the form of central infrastructure support funds. The
allocation of funds from each of these sources is provided in the plan.
VCCS Technology Expectations - 2000-2002 Biennium
By the end of the 2000-2002 biennium, it is expected that each college
will have achieved the following "list of expectations." Bold entries
are the new additions for this biennium. All other entries are continuations
from the previous budget periods.
A. Desktops (The workstation standard for 2001-2002 is a Pentium
133 or better)
-
Each full-time faculty member's desktop will include a microcomputer that
meets technical or useful life definitions as recommended by the Technology
Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents (individual
faculty rejection requests may be accepted on an exception basis by the
colleges).
-
Each full-time staff member's desktop will include a microcomputer that
meets technical or useful life definitions as recommended by the Technology
Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents.
-
All faculty and staff microcomputers will be connected to the campus
network.
-
Faculty and staff members will use general office software tools on a regular
basis, to improve efficiency and effectiveness and to communicate
with each other and with students.
-
General office software shall be kept current. Each college would not be
more than one generation behind the current version (i.e., about 18 months
maximum behind a current release).
B. Classrooms and Labs (The workstation standard for 2001-2002 is a
Pentium 133 or better)
1. Each college will maintain at least one compressed
video classroom on each campus.
2. Each college will maintain microcomputers that meet technical
or useful life definitions as recommended by the Technology Council and
approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents, and that total 7% of
full-time equivalent students (FTES) in classrooms or labs.
3. Each college will maintain at least one electronic classroom
per campus that includes a microcomputer that can be connected to the local
area network, and a projection and display system.
4. All classroom and lab microcomputers are connected or have the
capability of being connected to the campus network. Exceptions for bonafide
instructional purposes, such as microcomputer repair programs, shall be
documented by each college.
5. Instructional software shall be kept current. Each college would
not be more than one generation behind the current version (i.e., about
18 months maximum behind a current release). Exceptions for bonafide instructional
purposes, such as meeting the needs of business and industry for training
in earlier versions, must be documented.
C. Other Workstations (The workstation standard for 2001-2002 is a Pentium
133 or better)
1. Each college will maintain a sufficient number of microcomputers
that meet the technical or useful life definitions as recommended by the
Technology Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents,
for other administrative functions, such as libraries, servers, and student
kiosks, etc.
D. VCCS Intranet Network
1. The campus network will meet guidelines for cable and service levels.
Retrofit of existing wire closets may require exceptions to the guidelines
due to current wall, etc. structures.
2. The campus network will be accessible in all campus locations (offices,
labs, classrooms, auditoria, etc.).
3. Each campus network will be connected to VCCnet following the System
Office instructions. A campus must follow guidelines for electronics and
network services for connection to VCCnet thereby insuring operability
for all participants.
4. Faculty, staff, and students will have dial-in access to the VCCS
Intranet by either 1) an on-campus dial-in service or 2) a local Internet
service provider (ISP) dial-in access services.
E. Support
1. Each college will provide an on-campus professional development
program that maximizes faculty and staff exposure and includes the following
categories:
a. General office tools & techniques
b. Instructional tools & techniques
c. New application tools and techniques
2. Each college will provide training for faculty and staff as
needed to implement the PeopleSoft SIS, AIS, and MIS systems, including
training in Oracle products.
3. Each college will continue to implement a technology certification
program
by
the faculty and staff.
4. Each college will develop a service level agreement for technical
services support.
5. Each college will develop a service level agreement for customer
services support, to include instructional design support and help desk
functions.
F. Applications and Services
1. Each college will maintain a World Wide Web (WWW) home page and
topic pages. WWW pages should be managed for public relations and content
accuracy. They should provide general college information services via
the VCCS Intranet.
2. Network file and print services shall meet guidelines.
3. Each college shall provide a POP3 compliant e-mail service, including
directory services, for every faculty, staff, and student member.
4. Each college will provide the capability for on-line registration
for services (e.g. e-mail), which will include appropriate directory services
and security systems.
5. Each college will complete and maintain COV 95-1 disaster
recovery planning documents. These include impact and risk assessments
for each campus to identify appropriate security, firewall, and disaster
recovery processes that need to be installed following the appropriate
VCCS models.
6. Each college will monitor compliance with VCCS policy
5.2.0.1 Computer Competency Requirements.
7. Each college will develop a plan to and will deploy the new SIS
according to the timeframe established by the SIS Steering Committee.
8. Each college will develop a plan to and will deploy the new AIS
according to the timeframe established by the AIS Steering Committee.
9. Each college will develop a plan to and will deploy the new MIS
according to the timeframe established by the MIS Steering Committee.
10. Each college will improve facilities scheduling, usage, and reporting
through appropriate Resource25 modules.
11. Each college will participate in the conversion of existing systems
to new technologies in order to accommodate the new SIS, AIS, and MIS
databases.
12. Each college will develop and implement a plan for increasing the
number of course offerings available through distance education and the
number of courses that incorporate instructional technology.
G. Expectations based upon funding availability
The following expectations are contingent upon the General Assembly
providing sufficient technology funds to cover the costs.
-
Colleges will upgrade the campus network to accommodate video to the
desktop and/or VoIP.
-
Colleges will equip additional electronic classrooms per campus that
provide a microcomputer that can be connected to the local area network,
and a projection and display system.
-
Colleges will provide microcomputers for adjunct faculty use in a ratio
of 1 microcomputer for every 20 full-time equivalent adjunct faculty (FTEFA).
-
Colleges will identify part-time staff positions that have microcomputer
access needs. Each identified part-time staff member's desktop will include
a microcomputer that meets technical or useful life definitions as recommended
by the Technology Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents.
-
Colleges will maintain microcomputers that meet technical or useful
life definitions as recommended by the Technology Council and approved
by the Advisory Council of Presidents, and that total 14% of full-time
equivalent students (FTES) in classrooms or labs.
-
Colleges will employ one additional technical support position per campus.
NVCC Technology Plan 2001 - 2002
College Goals and Objectives:
In addition to the goals and objectives (VCCS Technology Expectations)
established by the VCCS, NVCC has established the following technology-related
goals and objectives. These goals and objectives were the product of the
College's strategic planning process.
Vision Statement: "To be a learning-centered organization that promotes
student success."
Goal 1: Faculty and Staff: "To provide a diverse, highly
qualified, energetic, and dynamic faculty and staff dedicated to and enhancing
student success."
Objective 1.1: To attract and retain a qualified and diverse faculty and
staff.
Objective 1.2: To provide opportunities for faculty and staff revitalization
through continuing professional growth.
Goal 2: Resources and Environment: "To develop and acquire
adequate fiscal, capital, and community resources and to use these resources
efficiently and effectively to provide the physical environment and tools
necessary to assure student success."
Objective 2.1: To increase funding by __% through partnerships with local
jurisdictions, businesses, organizations, individuals, etc. to supplement
available college resources.
Objective 2.2: To successfully acquire funding for 60% of the projects
in the capital outlay plan and to complete 40% of the funded items in the
plan.
Goal 3: Support Services: "To provide an array of quality
support services that enhance student success."
Objective 3.1: Successfully implement the Student Information System project
by June 30, 2002.
Objective 3.2: Develop a plan to ensure accessibility and responsiveness
of the Testing Centers to better accommodate on-campus and ELI students.
Objective 3.3: To develop a plan to provide on-line support services
for all students.
Goal 4: Instructional Program: "To provide an instructional
program that is accessible, affordable, and educationally sound that supports
the needs of a diverse student body and enhances student success."
Objective 4.1: Retain 35% of our students from Fall to Fall.
Objective 4.2: To increase the opportunities for distributed learning
by 5%.
The following strategies and related budgets have been established
to achieve the VCCS and NVCC goals and objectives. To identify appropriate
strategies, the campuses reviewed the results of their prior year technology
plans and established priorities through the College Information Technology
Committee. Campus responses to the annual VCCS Technology Survey were also
used to identify the appropriate strategies to include in this plan. Individual
campuses and units will establish specific objectives and plans for their
role in implementing each of these strategies. Campus, ELI and College
Staff TLTRs will also be expected to play a role in developing campus plans.
Funding for the budgets below comes from several sources: VCCS Technology
Funds allocated to the College to support its Technology Plan and additional
Infrastructure Support Funds designated by the College from its M&O
budget to operate the college-wide technical infrastructure. Funding Levels
for 2001-2002 are: $1,627,066 from Technology General Funds and from the
Student Technology Fee, $971,891 from Equipment Trust Fund, and $400,000
in College Infrastructure Support Funds. The source of funds is shown for
each element in the plan.
Special Initiatives Supported by Regular College Funds:
Distance Education: The College provides an extensive array of
distance learning courses that are funded from the regular College budget.
In additional to more than 180 different asynchronous courses available
through a variety of formats, the College offers synchronous courses through
the VCCS compressed video network. Students can also earn several complete
degrees through asynchronous courses. Support for distance education comes
from the Extended Learning Institute, the Campus LRCs and the Campus Testing
Centers. There are more than 12,000 enrollments in distance education courses
annually. Development of new courses and new services for distant learners
is an on-going process.
Implementation of the New VCCS SIS: During 2001-2002, the College
will implement the new VCCS Student Information System. The College has
established a separate budget to support the cost of consultants; additional
software that may be needed, additional staff support, and incidental expenses
connected with the implementation activities.
Support for Academic Technology Use. Both Technology Plan
funds and regular College funds are used to support academic technology
use in distance and campus-based learning for academic and student support
programs. (Section added by ITC 2/02.)
-
For faculty and staff support, faculty and staff receive technology applications
training through the Technical Applications Center (TAC), Extended Learning
Institute, Human Resources, campus TLTR initiatives, and one-on-one mentoring
from colleagues (e.g. Dogwood project). The plan funds reassigned
time for faculty to develop a mentoring program through TAC and on the
campuses.
-
Internet/web use has become a job expectation for faculty and staff as
well as maintenance of a Web presence. Reassigned time to develop
academic-related web sites is funded from the Technology Plan, and the
College's M&O funds the services of the Technical Application Center
and the Extended Learning Institute to train and support faculty and staff
in web development.
-
Many distance learning courses at NVCC use the Blackboard course management
system to deliver distance learning. Technology Plan funds will buy the
new Blackboard server and upgrade to Blackboard 5.5, Level Two.
-
A large proportion of campus classrooms are now equipped with a computer
and a projector for instructional use as the result of Technology Plan
funds.
-
For student support programs, the new SIS system will provide students
online access to their grades, unofficial transcripts, and course registration.
Technology Plan funds will pay for SIS campus servers and related implementation
equipment.
-
Technology Plan funds are used to print the Student Technology Guide written
to help students to learn how to use the technology resources available
to them at NVCC.
-
Technology Plan funds support P-14 positions at the IT Helpdesk used by
faculty, staff, administrators, and students at NVCC.
-
College funds are used to offer students online library support -- campus
as well as ELI students can email the reference librarian with a question.
-
At least four campuses use campus funds to offer online Writing Centers
-- students (including Distance Learning students) can submit writing assignments
via email and receive a written email consultation.
-
Electronic resources (e.g. VIVA) are incorporated into teaching and learning
activities of distance and campus based students through a grant where
librarians at NVCC work with instructors in a variety of disciplines to
develop "library assignments" that make use of VIVA, thereby effecting
an "information literacy across the curriculum" project.
-
Provide access to Microsoft software for IST classes through membership
in the MS Developers Network.
CAMPUS and UNIT SUPPORT
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Continuation of campus technology staff salaries
Staff to provide technical support at the campus and desktop level.
|
500,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Campus-based Technology Support
Campuses must develop detailed plans for allocation of these funds.
(Funds in this category may be used for any technology-related purpose
provided that strategies to achieve the following specific objectives are
included in the campus plan.)
Web Page Maintenance
Each campus, office and unit must maintain an up-to-date web site. The
College Marketing and Public Affairs Office will maintain a news and events
presence on the College web site and cable-tv network. Web pages may be
maintained centrally, by faculty or staff.
Distribution of funds: Funds distributed by number of Technology Plan computers.
|
183,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Technical Applications Development Support.
To increase the quantity and quality of technology-based materials
in instruction, individuals will be provided at TAC to provide application
support to faculty and staff, to assist campus faculty to develop or use
technology in instruction, and to work with TAC as a campus liaison. (2
courses for 2 semesters each for five people)
|
32,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Campus Lab Support
To insure support so campus labs are open Monday-Friday days and at
least Monday-Thursday evenings and on Saturday. Distribution of funds to
be by campus FTE formula with a minimum to each campus to insure 6th day
coverage.
|
200,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| SIS Campus Servers and Related Implementation
Equipment
The implementation of the new VCCS Information System and Administrative
Information Systems will require file servers and web servers at each campus.
Test servers were purchased in 2000-2001. Some additional equipment may
also be needed to support implementation activities. (Note: this activity
and related funding has been carried over from the 2000-2001 Technology
Plan.)
|
|
120,000
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Replacement of SNA Printers
All remaining SNA printers must be replaced prior to implementation
of the new SIS. Identification of printing requirements to support the
new SIS will be part of the implementation process. (Note: this activity
and related funding has been carried over from the 2000-2001 Technology
Plan.)
|
|
150,000
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Campus/Unit Technology Manager Support
Funds for infrastructure support costs at campuses and units. Distribution
of funds to 5 campus & college staff based on number of technology
plan computers.
|
25,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Cabling
Funds held centrally to pay for moving or adding network cable drops.
Distribution of funds to 5 campus & college staff based on number of
technology plan computers.
|
24,000
|
|
|
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Instructional Software
To keep instructional software current and support additional use
of modern instructional software. Purchase of instructional software with
priority given in the following order: campus-wide, campus-wide for single
campus programs, college-wide use. The College TLTR will review the proposals
and make recommendations to the ITC.
|
31,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| College-wide membership is Microsoft MSDN Academic
Alliance |
4,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Outsource Blackboard Support
To provide 7x24 operation of Blackboard software and software support
to meet the growing demands for use across the College, hosting of the
software will be outsourced.
|
60,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Academic and Advanced Technical Support
To provide state of the art technology and technology based systems
in academic and administrative areas to ensure effective teaching, learning,
and administrative procedures. Funds for college-wide servers and software
to support academic applications, such as Blackboard; and funds to support
large-scale or special projects.
|
|
|
53,000
|
HELP DESK
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Help Desk Support
Support for 4 P-14 positions at the Help Desk with 2 positions for
daytime support and 2 for weekend and evening support.
|
140,000
|
|
|
COMMON DESKTOP SOFTWARE
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| MS Office Software Upgrade
To keep software current. College cost of statewide site license annual
license fee
|
62,000
|
|
|
DESKTOP PC REPLACEMENT
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Upgrade of Desktop PCs
Annual replacement of 1/4 of PCs and Macs covered by the Technology
Plan based on a purchase price estimate of $1,059/PC and $2500 per Mac.
Numbers for PCs are estimates and will be determined by using OIR figures
for full-time faculty, staff and students and purchasing a number equal
to 25% of the number required by the VCCS expectations. No additional testing
lab PCs will be provided. Testing lab PCs may be assigned from the total
PCs allocated to the campuses. (Note: some PCs may be purchased in May
2001 from 2000-2001 funds by carrying forward SIS server and SNA printer
projects to 2001-2002.)
|
|
505,158
|
|
TRAINING
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Training
Technology Training for technical staff. The Technology Training Plan
will be developed jointly by Human Resources, TAC and ELI. Campuses may
continue faculty training through the CCS&T contract by allocating
some of their Technology Plan (or other) funds to the existing contract.
No central funds will be applied to the contract for 2001-2002.
|
70,000
|
|
|
| Staff Training
To provide training in Microsoft Office products and other basic software
for non-technical faculty and staff. The funds may be allocated to the
existing CCS&T contract to provide an outside trainer, used to provide
stipends for in-house trainers, or for other expenses related to providing
this training for the campus. Funds will be allocated based on number of
faculty/staff. College staff at Annandale and ELI will be included in the
Annandale total.
|
30,000
|
|
|
COLLEGE INFRASTRUCTURE
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Upgrade to Switched High-speed Ethernet/Convert
to IP Phones
The current token ring network must be upgraded to a high-speed switched
network to support the PeopleSoft SIS implementation, meet growing bandwidth
requirements for technology use college-wide, and meet VCCS expectations.
Ethernet is the standard and token ring is being abandoned nation-wide.
A new network-based phone system will be installed as soon as the network
is upgraded.
|
261,800
|
30,000
|
38,200
|
| |
|
|
|
| Upgrade email to multiple servers to better
accommodate load |
|
45,900
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Replace central servers as part of regular 4-year
replacement cycle |
|
107,000
|
|
SIS IMPLEMENTATION
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| (Note: the majority of implementation funds
are budget centrally from other College funds and are not part of the College
Technology Plan.) |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| SIS Campus Servers and Related Implementation
Equipment
The implementation of the new VCCS Information System and Administrative
Information Systems will require file servers and web servers at each campus.
Test servers were purchased in 2000-2001. Some additional equipment may
also be needed to support implementation activities. (Note: this activity
and related funding has been carried over from the 2000-2001 Technology
Plan.)
|
|
120,000
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Replacement of SNA Printers
All remaining SNA printers must be replaced prior to implementation
of the new SIS. Identification of printing requirements to support the
new SIS will be part of the implementation process. (Note: this activity
and related funding has been carried over from the 2000-2001 Technology
Plan.)
|
|
150,000
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| SIS Reserve |
4,266
|
13,833
|
|
| |
|
|
|
CENTRAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES (funded from College M&O
Infrastructure Support Funds)
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Server Upgrades/Server Contingency
Server memory/processor upgrades to accommodate growth in server utilization:
10 processors@$1,200 and 10 - 1GB
sets@$1,600.
This also provides contingency funds to resolve mission-critical server
problems.
|
|
|
28,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Server Software Licenses/Upgrades
MS Backoffice, Tape back-up software, Help Desk database, Server OS,
Secure server license, etc.
|
|
|
35,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Technical Consulting
Advanced consulting services on routers, email, servers, IP Phones,
etc.
|
|
|
35,000
|
| |
|
|
|
MAINTENANCE and ON-GOING INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT LICENSE AGREEMENTS
(funded from College M&O Infrastructure Support Funds)
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Compressed Video Maintenance
Continue maintenance agreements as required by VCCS technology expectations.
|
|
|
62,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Resource 25 Maintenance
Continue maintenance on Resource 25 software.
|
|
|
6,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Mainframe controllers/burster/central printers/computer
room maintenance |
|
|
29,100
|
| |
|
|
|
| Misc. replacement hardware for existing systems
(tapes, cds, power supplies, patch cables, etc. |
|
|
12,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Cisco (pre-conversion) and Microsoft maintenance/support
agreements |
|
|
90,500
|
| |
|
|
|
| Network monitoring maintenance (test ISP services,
pages, network monitoring software, AOL, etc.) |
|
|
11,200
|
Total Technology Plan Budget
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| |
1,627,066
|
971,891*
|
400,000
|
*Out of a total allocation to the College of $2,653,200 (which includes
the extra allocation for obsolete equipment)