Information Services Fee

Introduction

In the 2016-17 Academic Year the Information Services (IS) team conducted a review of funding for information services provided to campus, reviewed national and regional benchmarks for funding models and reviewed student responses to the annual Information Services Satisfaction Surveys (these surveys are done each spring for the past three years).  In focusing on the central IS budget, it became clear that key differences exist in the level of funding for these services at St. Mary's University compared to regional and national benchmarks institutions.  Additionally, the budget for central IS has two characteristics that needed to be addressed in order to continue to provide the technologies and services expected by our students, faculty and staff:
  • A suitable mechanism was required to adjust the IS budget for annual vendor increases.  The budget has not increased for several years while the costs for vendor services increase each year. 
  • A suitable mechanism was required to fund capital improvements for infrastructure, security and other major upgrades.  Operational funding and leases are used to address this in the short-term.
  • Last, the needs and expectations articulated by students through the annual IS Satisfaction Survey indicate several areas that require attention and reveal some emerging trends that need to be planned for as well.  In order to provide a competitive and relevant information services environment for our students, it is important to fund these services at a level that meets these needs and expectations.

In order to accomplish this, an Information Services fee will be implemented for all students at St. Mary's University starting in the 2018-19 academic year. 

Benefits

What Will the Information Service Fee Accomplish?  It will allow for the enhancement to existing services and bring some new services to campus:

  • Enhancements – Increase Campus Bandwidth; Expand Wireless (Common Areas, Residence Halls, Green Areas, Parking Lots); Refresh Network Infrastructure; Increase Library Database and Subscriptions (Blume and Sarita Kenedy East); Classroom Computer/Equipment Refresh; Student Print Quota; Library Catalog System Upgrade (Blume and Sarita Kenedy East); Learning Management System Upgrade; Vendor Cost Increases.
  • New Initiatives – Small Group Study Areas (Blume); Library Furniture Updates (Blume); Public Computer Refresh (Blume, Learning Commons); Lab Computer Refresh (assistance for schools); Classroom Lecture Capture (Law); Faculty Computer Refresh; Front-Line Computer Refresh; Network Security; Software/Services for Graphic Design, Web Design, Video Editing, Collaboration and Storage.

All students will benefit from the following enhancements and new initiatives:

  • Student printing – A $15.00 credit(1) will be applied to each student print account at the beginning of the semester(2)  and regular charge thereafter(3).
  • Internet bandwidth will more than double in FA18 and increase again in the SU21 if needed.
  • Upgrade and expand wireless and replace aging campus network infrastructure
  • Additional funds for library databases, journals and replacement of the library catalog system.
  • Expanded support for students using the Canvas learning management system.
  • Expanded collaboration software (Microsoft, Adobe, etc.).
  • Expanded cybersecurity initiatives to protect computer systems and help prevent data loss.

Undergraduate and Graduate student benefits:

  • All the benefits listed for "All students" plus…
  • Additional funding for equipment refresh for the instructional in classrooms.
  • Small group study rooms in the Blume Library.
  • Additional funds to refresh furniture and computer equipment in the Blume Library.
  • Refresh for front-line services and faculty computers.

School of Law student benefits:

  • All the benefits listed for "All students" plus…
  • Academic classroom enhancements:
    • Additional funding for classroom technology refresh and lecture capture.
    • A new mobile attendance tracking application.
  • Enhanced security and facility access:
    • Funding to assist with access control systems (door swipes).
    • Funding to assist with security camera system coverage.
       

(1) $15.00 is equivalent to approximately 300 pg. black and white or 60pg. color
(2) Any remaining balance at the end of the term will be forfeited and NOT carried over to another term.
(3) Part-time students will only be credit $7.50


§ Based on previous usage, $15.00 credit will cover print charges for more than 85% of all students.

At-A-Glance

  1. What Is It? A fee to help support the current and future information services initiatives at St. Mary's University. Beginning in the 2018-19 academic year this fee will apply as follows:

    • Full-time students (fall and spring semesters) – $100 per semester.
      • » Students › 11 hours
      • » Law, Grad and PhD › 8 hours
    • Full-time students (summer only) – $50 per semester.
      • » Students › 11 hours
      • » Law, Grad and PhD › 2 hours
    • Part-time students (fall and spring semesters) – $50 per semester.
      • » Students ‹ 12 hours
      • » Law, Grad and PhD ‹ 9 hours
    • Part-time students (summer only) – $25 per semester.
      • » Students ‹ 12 hours
      • » Law, Grad and PhD ‹ 3 hours

    ** This fee is applicable to all students regardless of instructional method (on campus or off campus).

    *** This fee will not be applicable to those who are studying abroad full time in any given term.

  2. Who Is Doing It?  Most local universities have a specific "technology" fee while others include this in their general or comprehensive fee structure.  A few local institution with this semester fee include: OLLU ($250 full time and $125 for part time); Trinity ($158 full time); St. Edward's ($250 full time and $75 part time); Baylor (included in $2,090 general fee and Law has $84 qtr fee); UIW ($450 full time and $240 part time - part of Students Svcs and Athletics fee); SMU Law (allocates about 1/3 of their general fee to technology).

  3. What Will It Do?  We will enhance existing services and bring new services to campus:

    • Enhancements – Increase Campus Bandwidth; Expand Wireless (Common Areas, Residence Halls, Green Areas, Parking Lots); Refresh Network Infrastructure; Increase Library Database and Subscriptions (Blume and Sarita Kenedy East); Classroom Computer/Equipment Refresh; Student Print Quota (There will be a $15.00 credit per term and will expire at the end of each term**); Library Catalog System Upgrade (Blume and Sarita Kenedy East); Learning Management System Upgrade; Vendor Cost Increases.

    • New Initiatives – Small Group Study Areas (Blume); Library Furniture Updates (Blume); Public Computer Refresh (Blume, Learning Commons); Lab Computer Refresh (assistance for schools); Classroom Lecture Capture (Law); Faculty Computer Refresh; Front-Line Computer Refresh; Network Security; Software/Services for Graphic Design, Web Design, Video Editing, Collaboration and Storage.

  4. Why Is It Significant?  It addresses two major funding issues (capital improvement budget and funding for annual vendor increases for services) and allow us to address some of the recurring issues raised in the annual student survey on Information Services.

  5. What Are the Implications for Campus? There will be some immediate benefits (increased bandwidth, library databases/journals, student print quota, etc.) and some benefits that come in gradually over time (expanded wifi, study rooms, classroom upgrades, etc.).  The enhancements will benefit all students in all schools.

  6. What Are the Downsides? Things to Consider? This is an additional expense for our students, which should not be taken lightly without considering alternatives, and the benefits provided.  The fee is set at a level where it should not have to be adjusted for several years and the items targeted are tangible with the IS department accountable for implementing these enhancements.

  7. Where Is It Going at St. Mary's? These investments will benefit student living, learning and research.

Note – The "7 Things You Should Know About…" is adapted from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative series

** Part-time students credit will be $7.50

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