Northern Virginia Community
College
College
Technology Plan
2000 - 2001
6/20/00
(Approved by Information Technology Committee)
Introduction
Over the past four 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 140 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 two 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
-
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
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
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 2000 - 2001
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.
Goal II: Enhance the quality of services to students.
Objective 3: To increase the effectiveness of matriculation and enrollment
by implementing an efficient technology-based system of student support
services.
Goal III: Expand the integration of technology in instruction and administration.
Objective 7: To provide state of the art technology and technology
based systems in academic and administrative areas to ensure effective
teaching, learning, and administrative procedures.
Objective 8: To provide professional development activities for faculty
and staff to ensure effective and efficient use of technology and its systems.
Goal V: Improve the quality of institutional communication.
Objective 12: To promote clear and friendly interpersonal communication
college-wide, and to develop and implement e-mail and web-related protocols
that will result in electronically informing all employees, both faculty
and staff, about meeting agendas, minutes, publications, forms, etc.
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 2000-2001 are: $600,577 from Technology General Funds, $1,007,223 from
Student Technology Fee, $1,097,700 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 140 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 2000-2001, the College
will begin implementation of 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.
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
(Funds in this category may be used for any technology-related purpose
provided that the following two specific objectives and strategies are
included in the campus plan.)
-
Technical Applications Development Support. To increase the quantity
and quality of technology-based materials in instruction, individuals will
be provided at TAC and at each campus to provide TAC-like application support
to faculty, to assist campus faculty to develop or use technology in instruction,
and to work with TAC as a campus liaison. Campuses must provide a minimum
of the following amount of support through reassigned time or through regularly
funded positions: (2 courses for 2 semesters each as follows: Large campuses-3
people, small campuses-2 people, TAC-4 people). Each individual will get
additional training from TAC. TAC will continue to provide support for
campuses and will provide support for college staff offices.
(B) 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 for reassigned time as described in (A) above,
plus $3000 per division, $3000 for each campus unit (LRC, Student Services),
$3000 each for ELI, Information Technology, Academic & Student Services,
Workforce Development, College Marketing and Public Affairs, and $6000
for Financial and Administrative Services. Remainder of funds distributed
by staff size.
|
207,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| 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
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Course Development Reassigned Time
To increase the quantity and quality of significant implementations
of technology-based materials in instruction. 20% per division per year.
|
24,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| 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.
Some additional equipment may also be needed to support implementation
activities. (Note: this activity and related funding has been carried over
from the 1999-2000 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 1999-2000 Technology
Plan.)
|
|
150,000
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Terminal Server Test Program
Testing program of terminal server approach to delivery of applications
from a central server instead of loading it on each desktop separately.
This may simplify software loading for labs, provide greater security for
kiosks and SIS student- access PCs, supporting older PCs trying to run
new software. Funds to implement one MS Terminal Server site. Includes
$8600 for server, $1600 software and licenses for 100 users. (* To be funded
if sufficient ETF funds are available after other projects are completed.)
|
|
(17,200 *)
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Campus Kiosks
Test program of computers in Kiosks to replace current mainframe terminals
for student access to SIS. Existing older PCs will be used in each Kiosk.
Total of 7 Kiosks will be provided, 1 per campus plus an additional 1 each
at Annandale and Alexandria.
|
24,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Campus File and Print Servers
Funding for Year 1 of a 2-year plan to upgrade campus servers from
the current low-end PCs and left-over machines to meet VCCS standards and
to provide necessary UPS equipment.
|
|
152,500
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Campus Server Room Racks and Upgrades
Racks and related equipment for server room at each campus.
|
36,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Campus/Unit Technology Manager Support
Funds for infrastructure support costs at campuses and units.
|
25,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Cabling
Funds held centrally to pay for moving or adding network cable drops.
3k for small & CS incl ELI, 6k for large
|
20,000
|
|
|
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: college-wide use, campus-wide for
single campus programs, campus-wide. A committee will be appointed to review
proposals.
|
36,800
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| 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 such as the Dogwood Project.
|
|
|
54,450
|
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
day-time 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
|
60,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Anti-virus Software licenses |
75,000
|
|
|
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 covered by the Technology Plan based
on an estimate of $1500/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.
They may be assigned from the total PCs allocated to the campuses. (Note:
a substantial number of these PCs were purchased in May 2000 from 1999-2000
funds based on a prior agreement with the VCCS to shift ETF funds from
2000-2001 to 1999-2000, and by carrying forward the SIS server and SNA
printer projects to 2000-2001.)
|
|
368,000
|
|
TRAINING
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Training
Technology Training for faculty and staff, including technical staff.
The Technology Training Plan will be developed jointly by Human Resources,
TAC and ELI.
|
120,000
|
|
|
COLLEGE INFRASTRUCTURE
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Firewalls
Installation of network firewalls at each campus, ELI, and TSS.
|
80,000
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Upgrade to Switched High-speed Ethernet
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.
The upgrade will be completed in phases. The total cost is expected to
exceed $3 million. (Supported by $260k Technology Plan funds and $40k Infrastructure
Support funds)
|
60,000
|
181,400
|
40,000
|
CENTRAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES (funded from College M&O
Infrastructure Support Funds)
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| Windows 2000 for Servers
Upgrade of college and campus servers to Windows 2000 for servers
to keep mission critical software current. Estimated to be $600 for 40
servers.
|
|
|
24,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Server Monitoring Software
To monitor servers and notify technical staff of problems on a 7x24
basis, and provide performance data to prevent server outages.
|
|
|
28,600
|
| |
|
|
|
| Network Security Scanning Software
Software to allow scanning of network for early warning of intrusions
and attacks, and to isolate them if they occur.
|
|
|
30,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Tape Backup System
To back-up critical servers as part of the disaster recovery plan.
|
|
|
8,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Computer Room Power Repair |
|
|
12,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Voice over IP hardware & software
Implementation of VCCS plans for statewide dialing and single phone
number access to the replacement for NOVANet.
|
|
|
50,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Exchange 2000 Upgrade
Upgrade of e-mail server software to current version.
|
|
|
2,800
|
| |
|
|
|
| Patch Cables, blank CDs, supplies |
|
|
3,750
|
| |
|
|
|
| Server Racks and Keyboard/Monitor Switches
To house servers that provide redundancy of critical systems.
|
|
|
12,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| DLT Tapes |
|
|
7,000
|
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.
|
|
|
60,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Resource 25 Maintenance
Continue maintenance on Resource 25 software.
|
|
|
6,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Verisign Certificate renewal for web server
Allows secure web transactions for credit card numbers, student numbers,
etc.
|
|
|
600
|
| |
|
|
|
| Microsoft Support |
|
|
3,300
|
| |
|
|
|
| Technet Support Subscription |
|
|
700
|
| |
|
|
|
| Computer Room HVAC/UPS Maintenance Agreement |
|
|
12,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Comnet III Support, CD Copier Maintenance |
|
|
600
|
| |
|
|
|
| Cisco Maintenance for Infrastructure Equipment |
|
|
30,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| Technical Staff Pager Charges |
|
|
4,200
|
| |
|
|
|
| Mainframe Central Printer maintenance |
|
|
5,000
|
| |
|
|
|
| IBM Controller Maintenance |
|
|
5,000
|
Total Technology Plan Budget
| |
Technology Funds
|
ETF Funds
|
College M&O Central Infrastructure Support Funds
|
| |
1,607,800
|
971,900
|
400,000
|