Northern Virginia Community College

 

 

 

College

Technology Plan

 

2004 - 2005

 

 

 

 

 

As approved by the NVCC Administrative Council on 8/31/04  

For review by VCCS Staff

 


Introduction

Over the past seven 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.  All faculty, staff and students have email accounts.  There are over 200 distance education courses, many on the Web, and the Web is a significant component in hundreds of sections.  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, and a College-wide help desk.

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.

 

NVCC’s Plan to Meet the Chancellor’s Objectives for the 2004-2006 Biennium

 

By the end of the 2004-2006 biennium, it is expected that each college will have achieved the following “list of expectations”.  

Desktops

1.         Each full-time faculty and staff member’s personal computers will include a microcomputer that meets hardware and software technical or useful life definitions as recommended by the Technology Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents. (http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/hardsoft.htm)

The College will purchase a number of new PCs at least equal to Ľ of the full-time faculty and staff each year, and make sure that no faculty or staff member has a PC older than 4 years. 

2.         All faculty and staff personal computers will be connected to the campus network.

All PCs have been and will continue to be connected to the campus network.


3.         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.

The College uses general office software, including email, to conduct business.  All PCs will be equipped with the current college versions of software.  All faculty and staff will have email accounts. 

4.         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).  Virus software shall be the current version at all times.

The College continually upgrades labs and faculty teaching general office software to current versions of Microsoft Office.  All College PCs will also continue to be upgraded to the latest version of MS Office throughout the biennium. 

The College will keep its current virus protection current and will continue to send out regular reminders to all faculty and staff to upgrade their virus protection definitions.  The College will participate in the System-wide licensing of virus protection software.

5.         Each college will install patch management software to help mitigate malicious attaches on servers and personal computers.  The Technology Council will develop and recommend best practices to safeguard college assets and recommend upgrade management strategies for adoption.

The College will participate with the VCCS on installation of patch management software and the implementation of best practices to safeguard college assets.  The College will also implement a change management and version control strategies using features in its current Help Desk software.

6.         The Technology Council will develop and recommend best practices for software license management.

The College will participate with the VCCS on software license management.

B.      Classrooms and Labs

1.         Each college will maintain at least one Commonwealth Classroom on each campus following the guidelines as recommended by the Technology Council and approved by ACOP.   (http://www.vccs.edu/its/models/COMM_Conf_Ctr_Mod.htm; http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/H.323_High_End_Systems.htm)

The College will maintain at least one Commonwealth Classroom on each campus. 

2.         Each college will establish and maintain one Commonwealth Conference Room and Videoconference Center on each campus following the guidelines as recommended by the Technology Council and approved by ACOP.  Depending on how the Center is established on each campus and the volume of future activities, one facility per campus may meet both requirements.  The goal is to establish resources that enable the VCCS to compete more effectively for statewide training and conference opportunities.

The College already has H.323 conference capability on each campus and will upgrade to room-size units on all campuses once a VCCS standard has been established.

3.          Each college will maintain personal computers 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 or other student accessible locations.  (http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/hardsoft.htm)

The College will purchase and install a number of new PCs at least equal to Ľ of the minimum number required by these expectations each year for use in student accessible locations, and will make sure that the total in these locations equals at least 7% of the College FTES.  The College will also insure that all PCs older than the maximum life recommended by the Technology Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents are removed from use.

4.         Each college will maintain an electronic classroom on each campus that includes a personal computer that can be connected to the local area network, and a projection and display system.   The Technology Council will review this expectation and revise it according to best practices recommending a minimum percentage of all classrooms to be so equipped.

The College maintains numerous fully equipped electronic classrooms on each campus. Several campuses have already equipped all classrooms and several others have nearly equipped all classrooms.  Classroom of the Future Funds will be allocated to each campus and ELI proportionally to their enrollments and additional funds will be dedicated to increasing the number of electronic classrooms with the goal of having all classrooms equipped with at least projectors and appropriate cabling.

All classroom and lab microcomputers are connected or have the capability of being connected to the campus network.  Each college shall document exceptions for bonafide instructional purposes, such as microcomputer repair programs.

5.         All classroom and lab personal computers are connected or have the capability of being connected to the campus network.  Each college shall document exceptions for bona fide instructional purposes, such as microcomputer repair programs.

All classroom and lab PCs are connected to the network, unless a bonafide instructional exception exists.  These exceptions will be documented in writing and maintained centrally on the campus. 

6.         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).  Each college shall document exceptions for bonafide instructional purposes, such as microcomputer repair programs.  Virus software shall be the current version at all times.

The College will survey instructional software used in the labs on the campuses and at ELI, to insure that it is no more than 18 months behind the current version.  Funds will be dedicated to upgrading or adding to instructional software.  Bonafide instructional exceptions will be documented in writing and maintained centrally on the campus.  The College will keep its current virus protection current and will continue to send out regular reminders to upgrade their virus protection definitions.  The College will attempt to implement new push technology to automate upgrades to virus definitions.  The College will participate in the System-wide licensing of virus protection software.

7.        Each college will install patch management software to help mitigate malicious attacks on servers and personal computers.

The College will participate with the VCCS on installation of patch management software and the implementation of best practices to safeguard college assets.  The College will also implement a change management and version control strategies using features in its current Help Desk software.

 

C.     General computers

1.         Each college will maintain a sufficient number of personal computers that meet hardware and software 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.  (http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/hardsoft.htm)

The College will conduct an annual survey to insure that computers for general use exist in sufficient number and meet the needs of the College community.   These computers will meet the established hardware and software useful life definitions.  The College will also insure that all PCs older than the maximum life recommended by the Technology Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents are removed from use.

2.         Servers shall have appropriate security precautions as defined by guidelines approved by the Technology Council and Advisory Council of Presidents.

All servers will be maintained centrally on the campuses or at the College computer center under the direct control of IT staff.  The college will operate in compliance with the security guidelines recommended by the Technology Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents.  Periodic security audits will be performed.

D.     Networks

1.         The campus network will meet guidelines for cabling and service levels. Retrofit of existing wire closets may require exceptions to the guidelines due to current wall, etc. structures.  (http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/telecomxx.htm)

The College ITSS will verify annually that the campus networks meet the established guidelines and service levels.  Network service levels as defined by SLAs will be measured and reported.

2.         The campus network will be accessible in all campus locations (offices, labs, classrooms, auditoria, etc.).

All campus locations will have access to the campus network without having to swap connections with other locations.

3.         Each campus network will be connected to Net.Work.Virginia following approved VCCS guidelines.  A campus must follow guidelines for electronics and network services for connection to Net.Work.Virginia Next Generation thereby insuring operability for all participants. (http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/IpNetworking.htm  and  http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/Campus_Infrastructure_Guidelines2.htm )

The College will follow established guidelines for connection to Net.Work.Virginia. Next Generation, and will insure that all campus networks are connected.

4.         Each campus will provide the necessary facilities and resources to achieve system level connectivity standards established for the system-wide voice over IP network and related services according to agreed upon standards.  (http://www.vccs.edu/its/models/VoIP_model.htm )

The College has implemented VoIP college-wide and will continue to maintain the network so it is consistent with the VCCS standards for the system-wide voice over IP network.

5.         Network devices shall have appropriate network security precautions installed as defined in the guidelines approved by the Technology Council and Advisory Council of Presidents.  (http://www.vccs.edu/its/security/Security_Guidelines_for_LAN.htm )

The college will operate in compliance with the security guidelines recommended by the Technology Council and approved by the Advisory Council of Presidents.  Periodic security audits will be performed. 

6.         Faculty, staff, and students should have limited access to wireless network services from on-campus locations to support specific instruction or administrative requirements as determined by each college.

The College has already installed wireless access to at least three locations on each campus (Provost’s Conference Room, Student Lounge/Cafeteria, and LRC) and will expand to additional locations to meet student and staff needs.

7.         Colleges will continue to upgrade the campus network to accommodate video to the desktop and/or VoIP services as prescribed in VCCS approved models and guidelines.

The College has upgraded its network to support VoIP and will continue to upgrade the network to meet increased demand at the desktop.

8.         Colleges will implement network security guidelines to secure the college IT infrastructure following the appropriate VCCS approved models and guidelines.  The Technology Council will develop and recommend best practices.

The College will implement VCCS network security guidelines and best practices as they are developed.

 

E.      Support (Instructional Technology, Distance Learning, Administrative)

The College will use the recently approved Instructional Support Services – Best Practices checklist to benchmark the current level of technology-use in these support areas.  This will provide a means for developing specific plans to increase the services available to students and measure progress from year to year.  The attached copy of the checklist provides additional detail on the methods currently in use to deliver the following services.

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

a).       courseware management software

b).      Multimedia software and hardware

c).       VIVA resources

d).      information literacy skills and standards

e).       other instructional applications e.g., Autodesk,  MERLOT, etc.

c.              New application tools and techniques

Each campus will conduct workshops/meetings during the Fall and Spring with the goal of increasing faculty and staff awareness of the current College state of the art in each of the areas listed above.  The goal will be to reach at least 80% of all faculty and staff with these sessions.    Each campus technology plan will include specific plans for achieving and measuring this objective.

2.         Each college will identify in their plan the approach for providing access to student and instructional support services that enable electronic learning activities, including:

a.              orientation services

STD 100 will be offered through distance learning by ELI and some campuses.  The College will make available an orientation CD.  An orientation to the College video will be produced and shown on the College cable-tv channels and copies will be made available on the campuses.  An orientation to the Blackboard software will be produced and shown on the College cable-tv channels and will be made available on the campuses—a CD version will be produced and distributed if possible.  Extensive FAQs for students are maintained on the College web site.  A faculty orientation video/CD will be produced.  The number of showings/deliveries will be maintained.

b.              tutorial and mentoring services

Currently, these services are provided as needed to those not on campus through phone and email.  Each campus technology plan will include specific details on how they will provide these services to students by phone and email.  The details will include how students will access these services, response time, specific services available, the hours they are available, who will respond to the student and who will provide the services, how students will be notified that the services are available, and any cost involved. 

c.              learning and information resources services

On-line resources through VIVA are provided to off-campus faculty, staff and students through a link on the College web site. The College.  The College provides access on-line access to reference services from its web site, and will work with students by phone and email.  The College participates in LRC Live giving students assistance through live on-line chat with a librarian. Currently, most of these services are provided as needed to those not on campus through phone and email.  Each campus technology plan will include specific details on how they will provide these services to students by phone and email.  The details will include how students will access these services, response time, specific services available, the hours they are available, who will respond to the student and who will provide the services, how students will be notified that the services are available, and any cost involved. 

d.              enrollment and student records services

The new PS SIS was implemented during Fall 2003 and provides web and IVR access to these services.  Currently, all necessary forms are on the College web site, and these services are provided as needed to those not on campus through phone and email.  Each campus technology plan will include specific details on how they will provide these services to students by phone and email.  The details will include how students will access these services, response time, specific services available, the hours they are available, who will respond to the student and who will provide the services, how students will be notified that the services are available, and any cost involved. 

e.              financial aid services

The new PS SIS was implemented during Fall 2003 and provides web and IVR access to these services.  Currently, all necessary forms are on the College web site, and these services are provided as needed to those not on campus through phone and email.  Each campus technology plan will include specific details on how they will provide these services to students by phone and email.  The details will include how students will access these services, response time, specific services available, the hours they are available, who will respond to the student and who will provide the services, how students will be notified that the services are available, and any cost involved. 

 

f.               advising services

The new PS SIS was implemented during Fall 2003 and provides web access to increased advising information for students.  Currently, these services are provided as needed to those not on campus through phone and email.  Each campus technology plan will include specific details on how they will provide these services to students by phone and email.  The details will include how students will access these services, response time, specific services available, the hours they are available, who will respond to the student and who will provide the services, how students will be notified that the services are available, and any cost involved. 

g.              help desk services

The College Technology Help Desk provides support for students on general technology issues.  Students are encouraged to make primary initial contact with the Help Desk by email, with follow-up by calls from the Help Desk staff to the students.  Students who cannot email the Help Desk can make contact by phone. The Help Desk operates Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.   A special Distance Learning Hotline is maintained by the Extended Learning Institute.  Staff are available at this number to assist distance learning students Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m – 8:30 p.m, Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Extensive FAQs are also maintained on the College web site.

h.              bookstore services

Currently, bookstore services are available to students by phone (including an toll-free number), email, and on the web. 

i.                coordinate the provision of the services listed above

The Dean of Instructional and Information Technology will coordinate with the appropriate College Working Groups and the campuses to insure these services are provided to students electronically and that appropriate reviews and future plans are developed.  Members of his staff are currently on all the appropriate Working Groups. 

3.         Provide instructional design support for faculty using technology for teaching and learning

Instructional Development support for distance learning will be provided by Instructional Technologists at the Extended Learning Institute.  The Associate Vice President for Instructional Technology will coordinate instructional development support for other users.  Workshops will be provided at all the campuses focusing on instructional development issues in addition to technology-related training currently provided by the Technical Applications Center and campus staff.

4.         Each college will comply fully with distance learning and instructional technology policies and procedures outlined in the VCCS Distance Learning Management Model, VDEN Administrative Procedures, VDEN Academic Standards, and the VCCS Distance Learning Quality Assurance Plan for Asynchronous Courses. (http://www.vccs.edu/vccsit/dlmodel.htm  and http://www.vccs.edu/vccsit/vdenproc.htm  and http://www.vccs.edu/vccsit/Archive/VDENAdmin/vdenstds.htm  and http://www.vccs.edu/vccsit/Quality.pdf

The Associate Vice President for Instructional Technology will monitor compliance with distance learning and instructional technology policies and report to the College Academic Deans Council and to the College Distance Learning Committee annually.  The Associate Vice President will make sure that all Division Deans and faculty are made aware of the applicable policies at the beginning of the academic year and make sure the policies are readily available on the College Web site.

5.         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.

The College will develop and implement a training plan to reach 100% of all faculty and staff as part of its implementation of the new SIS, AIS and MIS systems.  The Vice President for Instructional and Information Technology will be responsible for coordinating this training as part of the implementation plan.

6.         Each college will support the implementation of the new system-wide automated library system. 

The College will implement the new VCCS system-wide library support.  The College has already upgraded LRS staff computers and monitors to meet the increased requirements of the new system.

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.  College web sites should follow best practices for identifying and accessing system wide services and applications.  Student access to online registration must be clearly delineated on each college home page.

All units which report to a member of the Administrative Council will maintain a current web home page.  These pages will be reviewed and updated as necessary at least every 6 months.  Campus/Unit Technology Plans will identify the Webmaster, person responsible or procedures that will be used to maintain these web sites.  The College will develop and maintain set of web page standards for best practices and access issues. Access to online registration and related services is provided from the College home page.

2.         Each college will ensure that all students, faculty and staff will have access to tier one help desk service provided by the college that directly supports tier 2 and 3 services provided by the VCCS for shared services.  The Technology Council will further define the delineations between support tiers, however, pending that work product tier 1 is defined as college-provided help, tier 2 is defined as the VCCS Client Services function, and tier 3 is defined as VCCS Information Technology Services staff assistance or contracted vendor assistance to resolve an outstanding issue.

The College Technology Help Desk provides support for students on general technology issues.  The Help Desk operates Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.   A special Distance Learning Hotline is maintained by the Extended Learning Institute.  Staff are available at this number to assist distance learning students Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m – 8:30 p.m, Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Extensive FAQs are also maintained on the College web site.

3.         It is expected that each college will maintain adequate service levels to achieve the mission and priorities of the college in concert with centrally provided services.

The College will review its services annually to insure adequate service levels are maintained.  In addition, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) have been developed and posted for all college-wide and campus IT services.  The SLAs will be reviewed annually.

4.         Network file and print services shall meet guidelines as recommended by the Technology Council and approved by ACOP.  http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/hardsoft.htm

ITSS will insure that all network file and print services are in compliance with the guidelines.  Compliance will be reviewed annually.

5.         Each college shall make e-mail service, including directory services, available for all faculty, staff and students.  Student email is to be provided through the shared student e-mail service offered by the System Office ITS.

ITSS operate a POP3 compliant e-mail service, including directory services for all faculty and staff.  The College participates in the VCCS student e-mail system.  The College will continue to provide web space for students.

6.         Each college will provide the capability for on-line registration for services (e.g. e-mail, distance learning courses) provided by the VCCS, which will include appropriate directory services and security systems.

The College converted to the new SIS during Fall 2003, including IVR, which provides online and phone registration services.  Appropriate directory services and security have been implemented.

7.         Each college will complete and maintain all planning documents outlined in COV ITRM Standard SEC2000-01.1.  http://www.vccs.edu/its/models/secpl.htm 

ITSS has completed and will maintain the necessary documentation to meet this standard, and will comply with all relevant VCCS security recommendations.  The plans will be reviewed annually, and recovery processes also will be tested annually.

8.         Each college will monitor compliance with VCCS policy 5.2.0.1 Computer Competency Requirements.  http://www.vccs.edu/competencies/summaryversion.pdf

Academic and Student Services will monitor compliance by reporting on the number of students enrolled in the courses identified as meeting student computer competency requirements, the number taking the Skill-Check waiver exam, and the number (if any) of graduates receiving exceptions to this policy.  Demonstration of computer competency is now a requirement for all degrees.

9.         Each college will develop a plan to and will deploy the latest release of the SIS.

The College has appointed committees and developed a preliminary plan based on the current VCCS schedule and plan to implement the latest version of the latest version of the SIS.

10.     Colleges will revive planning efforts for a system wide accounting information system in the first half of the 2004-2005 fiscal year with a target of summer 2006 implementation of a new AIS system.  In response to the approval of such a plan by the ACOP, each college will develop a plan to deploy the new AIS and participate in the conversion of existing systems to new technologies.

The College will participate fully in the planning and implementation of the new AIS.

11.     Each college will improve facilities scheduling, usage, and reporting through appropriate Resource25 modules.

The College will fully implement Resource25. 

12.     Each college will develop a plan to address college, and system wide, programming needs through distance learning.

The College Distance Learning Committee will develop a distance learning plan for the College that addresses identified needs.  ELI will track enrollments, number of filled (closed) sections, total offerings and student evaluations consistent with the plan.

13.     Each college will develop a plan to utilize instructional technology to increase access and enhance student success in the traditional classroom and distance learning.

The Associate Vice President for Instructional Technology will draft a plan for review by the LRS Working Group, Distance Learning Committee, College TLTR, and Information Technology Committee that addresses these issues.  For traditional classes, the plan will specifically identify strategies for increasing communication with students, providing students with access to information, effective use of VIVA and other on-line learning resources, providing student support to students not on campus, and effective use of open learning labs to support traditional instruction, effective use of smart classrooms by faculty and students, use of Blackboard in traditional classes, and effective use of e-mail.  Among the goals for traditional classes will be web pages for all faculty with at least current contact information and current copies of syllabi, and increases in:

·                    use of student e-mail to contact faculty in non-distance learning courses

·                    number of hits on student support and VIVA web sites

·                    number of students using on-line reference services

·                    number of new faculty making use of open computer labs

·                    number of faculty using smart classrooms

·                    new classes using Blackboard

In addition, the goals for distance learning classes will include increases in completion rates for courses that add technology, increased use of on-line testing, and increased student use of on-line student services information.

The Distance Learning Committee in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Research will design a research study to examine the relationship of technology use and the use of smart classrooms to retention and grade distribution.

14.     Each college will list distance learning courses with the “VCCS Online” course directory.

ELI will continue to list all distance learning courses available and appropriate to students outside Northern Virginia with the VCCS Online course directory, and will make sure the VCCS Online course directory is prominently listed on the College web site.

G.   Expectations based upon funding availability

The following expectations are contingent upon the General Assembly providing sufficient technology funds to cover the costs.

1.         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.  The classroom should have appropriate multi-media classroom equipment with speakers, amplifiers, VCR and DVD capability and access to a college closed circuit V system with cable and satellite content where applicable.

The College has equipped all classrooms at several campuses, and over 25% of all classrooms at the other campuses.  Classroom of the Future funds will be allocated to increase the number of equipped classrooms.

2.         Colleges will provide microcomputers for adjunct faculty use in a ratio of 1 microcomputer for every 20 full-time equivalent adjunct faculty (FTEFA).

Each division will attempt to meet this standard.

3.         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. (http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/hardsoft.htm )

The College will insure that all part-time staff that require a PC will have access to one that meet the useful life definition.

4.         Colleges will maintain personal computers and general use computers that meet hardware and software 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.  (http://www.vccs.edu/its/guidelines/hardsoft.htm )

The College currently provides computers for student use in excess of 12% of FTES.

 

Special Technology-Related 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 200 different asynchronous courses available through a variety of formats, the College offers a limited number of synchronous courses through the VCCS compressed video network.  The College will also offer synchronous courses through a virtual web classroom beginning in 2003-2004. Students can also earn several complete degrees through asynchronous courses.   Support for distance education comes from the Extended Learning Institute, College Television Center, the Campus LRCs and the Campus Testing Centers.  There are more than 15,000 enrollments in distance education courses annually.  Development of new courses and new services for distant learners is an on-going process.

 

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. 

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).  Some of the campuses have built mentoring into their campus technology plans and use campus technology funds to support these activities.

Internet/web use has become a job expectation for faculty and staff as well as maintenance of a Web presence.  The College’s M&O funds, along with Technology Plan funds, provide the services of the Technical Application Center and the Extended Learning Institute to train and support faculty and staff in web development.  Annandale and Loudoun campuses also have dedicated staff to assist faculty with web use and web site development.

Many distance learning courses at NVCC and many traditional courses use the Blackboard course management system to deliver distance learning.  The College uses the Blackboard support provided by the VCC Technical Utility to host its courses.

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.  Classroom of the Future Funds will be used to increase the number of equipped classrooms on where all rooms have not yet been equipped.

For student support programs, the new SIS system provides students online access to their grades, unofficial transcripts, and course registration. The necessary technical infrastructure has been installed.

The College publishes a 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 distance learning students can email the reference librarian with questions.  Students may also receive help through on-line chat with a librarian through the LRC Live program.

Some of the 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.

Access to Microsoft software for IST classes is provided through membership in the MS Developers Network.

 

2004-2005 College Technology Plan and Budget

The strategies and related budgets that follow 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, Equipment Trust Fund allocations for technology, and additional Infrastructure Support Funds designated by the College from its M&O budget to operate the college-wide technical infrastructure and application support.  For 2004-05 only there are significant carryover funds from Student Technology Fees collected in prior years and held as a reserve that can be used for one-time only purchases and must be expended during the current fiscal year.  Funding for 2004-2005 is shown below: 

$ 2,814,979   Technology Funds from Student Tech. Fee, plus state and college Tech.                                         General Funds

$ 1,041,717   Equipment Trust Fund allocation for technology

$ 3,856,796

 

$ 1,504,354   One-time Technology Funds from unspent Tech. Fees carried over from the 2003-2004 Technology Plan

 

 

 


Northern Virginia Community College

2004-2005 College Technology Plan and Budget Narrative

This year’s plan will include two kinds of funding:  recurring technology funds based on the student technology fee, Technology ETF funds, and Technology M&O funds; plus a significant amount of one-time funds from the college technology reserve that must be spent by the end of this fiscal year.  The one-time funds cannot be used to fund any recurring activity that would continue into FY 2006.

 

CAMPUS and UNIT SUPPORT

 

Recurring Technology Funds (including ETF)

One-Time Funds

Supplement for campus technology staff salaries

 

Staff to provide technical support at the campus and desktop level.  (This has been part of the base VCCS funding since the original plan and represents the VCCS funding of  the basic campus IT staff positions.)

500,000

 

Campus-based Technology Support

 

Offices and 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 and appropriate funding to achieve at least the following specific objectives are included in the campus plan.)

Web Page Maintenance for all units

Each College Staff and Campus office/unit will maintain an up-to-date web site.  The College Marketing and Public Affairs Office will also maintain a news and events presence on the College web site and cable-tv network.  Web pages will be reviewed and updated at least every 6 months and will make significant progress toward being Section 508 compliant to meet federal technology accessibility standards. The campus plan will identify the webmaster responsible for each site.

      Services referenced in Chancellors Objectives

Access to Tutoring and Mentoring services from off campus.

Access to Enrollment & Student Records services from off   campus

Access to Financial Aid services from off campus

Access to advising from off campus

Keeping Instructional Software Current

 

The campus plan will show funds allocated where necessary to update academic software so that it is no more than one version out of date.

Distribution of funds:  Funds distributed by number of Technology Plan computers and will not include MEC until 2005-06.

263,750

 

Technical Applications Development Support.

  

To increase the quantity and quality of technology-based materials and solutions, TAC will provide reassigned time for several faculty who will give application support to faculty and staff, assist campus faculty to develop or use technology in instruction, and work with TAC as a campus liaisons.  (2 courses for 2 semesters each for six people representing each campus including MEC.)

48,000

 

Campus Lab Support

 

To insure support so campus computer 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 and summer coverage.  Specific hours being supported by these funds will be shown in the Campus Technology Plan. Funds may only be used to support computer labs.  Distribution will not include MEC until 2005-06.

230,000

 

Campus/Unit Technology Manager Support

 

Funds for infrastructure support costs at campuses and units.  Distribution of funds to 6 campuses & college staff based on number of technology plan computers.

35,000

 

College Staff IT Support

 

Funds to support a P-14 ITS for College Staff since only one IT position was allocated for College Staff when campus IT staffs were increased.

36,000

 

 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

 

Recurring Technology Funds (including ETF)

One-Time Funds

Instructional Software

 

To keep instructional software current and support additional use of modern instructional software.  Purchase of instructional software with priority to be set by the College Academic Deans Council. The Deans Council will make funding recommendations to the ITC.   (This amount is actually an increase in available funds over 2003-04 since most of the Adobe and Macromedia licenses purchased with these funds in 03-04 were for two years.)

75,000