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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the IS fee model?
The fee model follows that established for the Student Activity fee and starting with the 2018-19 academic year the IS fee will apply as follows:
- Full-time students (fall and spring semesters) – $100 per semester.
- » Students › 11 hrs || Law, Grad and PhD › 8 hrs
- Full-time students (summer only) – $50 per semester.
- » Students › 11 hrs || Law, Grad and PhD › 2 hrs
- Part-time students (fall and spring semesters) – $50 per semester.
- » Students ‹ 12 hrs || Law, Grad and PhD ‹ 9 hrs
- Part-time students (summer only) – $25 per semester.
- » Students ‹ 12 hrs || Law, Grad and PhD ‹ 3 hrs
** 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.
Does this apply to all students?
Since all students use most of these services and will use the new/enhanced services made possible with the fee, it applies to all students in all schools.
Is there a discount for Commuter students?
Commuter students use all the IS resources that residential students use with the exception of wifi, network and bandwidth in the residence halls. On the other hand, residential students are less interested in wifi coverage in the parking lots and in the other commuter-oriented areas. Campus bandwidth affects off-campus student access to services on campus such as registration, grades, transcripts, etc.
What will the funds be used for and how much will be generated?
The "all in" model is estimated to generate approximately $650,000 per year to enhance current IS services and bring new services and initiatives to campus. Undergraduates students will account for about 66%, Law students account for about 22% and Graduate/Ph.D. students account for about 12% of the funds generated. The funds will be allocated to enhance existing services and to bring new services/initiatives to campus over the next few years:
- 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 (no charge for up to 300 prints per semester); 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.
Does this impact course fees?
Generally, course fees are allocated for consumables and other needs that are program specific. The Information Service Fee will address IS needs across campus. There is no impact on the course fees.
What other regional institutions have such a fee?
Almost all higher education institutions have a fee that is similar to this or is included as part of a "general" or "comprehensive" fee. St. Mary's will have one of the lowest fees with others charging $150 to $400 per semester or more.
What does "Information Services" include?
Information Services is comprised of group of individuals that support information technology, academic/instructional technology, the Blume Library and the Cotrell Learning Commons. This area includes the staff from Law Support Services but does not include the faculty and staff supporting the Sarita Kenedy East Law Library and the Law Commons.
Is everything for IS funded from a Central IS budget?
Most common services are funded centrally (bandwidth, wifi, Microsoft Office 365, Banner, Gateway, Canvas, Degree Works, information security, etc.) and most operations in the Blume Library and Learning Commons are as well with the exception of the Graduate Center for Excellence, the Learning Assistance Center and Starbucks.
There are some exceptions to the central IS funding model. School and department specific learning spaces (typically special purpose classrooms and computer labs) are funded by the individual school requiring these spaces. The School of Law funds Law Support Services staff who attend to the specialized needs of the school. They also fund classroom upgrades, computer refresh, and specialized software/services in addition to the operation of the Sarita Kenedy East Law Library and the Law Commons.
Will this fee address all the IS funding needs at St. Mary's?
This goes a long way towards putting the IS funding model on par with our peers and meeting the growing needs of the campus community. However, it is not a full solution and there will be times where additional funding is required for capital improvements.
Replacing fiber on campus, aquisition of a new software or hardware systems, or meeting a new security requirement are examples of projects that could require additional funding.