May 2004

Progress report on the Congressional Award

Progress report on the Congressional Award Status of the current technology upgrades and additions provided by the $1.2 million Congressional award

Eckerd College went many years without the funding for all of the technological needs on campus. Thanks to the hard work of several departments and the Unites States Congress, the college was presented with the $1.2 million Congressional award to improve technology infrastructure.

This article will fill you in on our goals for this grant, completed installations, what is going on now, and what we still look forward to doing with the funding.

Campus ID System
The new Eckerd ID system was installed during summer, 2003, and received its baptism of fire during Autumn Term. It is managed by the Campus Safety office. All students have been issued the new cards and are currently using them for identification and meal plans. The processing of ID cards for faculty and staff should start very soon.

Meal Plan Hardware and Software
The new Food Service software ties into the new ID card system. The cards are being used for all student meal purchases. This software system will also be the platform when we begin to provide debit card services on the Student ID card. Within the next year, the card will provide access to laundry, vending machines, bookstore purchases, printing, copying, and building access.

The ID and Food Service systems replace proprietary systems owned by our previous Food Service contractor. Eckerd College owns and maintains the new systems, providing us with maximum stability and flexibility.

Campus Servers and Software Upgrades
Several servers, such as the ones used for Banner, Email, Web services have been replaced and/or upgraded with modern, expandable systems from Sun and Dell. ITS maintains more than thirty servers - something you might think about before calling to ask "is the server down?"

Campus Info System
Although not installed yet, this technology will allow the distribution of information across one of the Eckerd College cable television channels. Several flat-screen televisions are to be installed in the areas of campus frequently visited by the community. Students will also be able to tune to this channel in their dorms. Completion of this project is scheduled for this summer.

Upgrade of Older Desktop Computers on Campus
This portion of the award is designed to satisfy the beginning phase of a five-year replacement plan addressing the over 700 computers used by Eckerd College. Replacement of computers operating at less than 300 MHz (systems that were industry standard circa 1998) is the goal of this project. We anticipate the replacement of about 225 computers. As of this date, the ITS staff has replaced over 160 computers.

Technology for Classroom and Auditorium
This portion will include the installation of Audio-Visual and computer technology in all of the classrooms currently without. In addition, the upgrade includes replacement of outdated computers and projectors in existing classrooms and auditoriums. Twenty-five new ceiling mounted video data projectors and fourteen computers are part of this upgrade.

Upgrade Internet Access and Network Backbone of the Campus
The physical connection to the internet was previously four "T1" circuits, providing 6 Mb for incoming and 6 Mb for outgoing traffic. These were replaced by a single "T3" circuit. This single circuit provides Mb incoming and 12 Mb outgoing and can be upgraded up to 45 Mb later. This circuit is also much more efficient because it does not have to manage the old multi-link connection.

Last November we began our largest project: the $420,000 replacement of our Network backbone. Some campus and dorm buildings have new Network switches. The network core has been replaced by a transition system. The final core equipment is slated for installation in May. Late June is the target completion date. The campus community will not realize the full benefits of this extensive project until the entire upgrade of the campus network backbone is completed.

What does all this mean to you? Faster access to the Internet, email, Banner, and other data servers (computer) you use on campus.

New Library Project
The following projects are scheduled for installation in the new library:

• Book Security and Self Checkout System
  
• Additional Patron Workstations, Printers, and Labs
  
• Multimedia lab - New Academic Resource Center
  
• 24/7 Student and Bibliographic Computer Lab
  
• Video Conference Room
  
• New Microfilm/fiche reader
  
• Campus Server Room
  
• Wireless

The good news is technology funding does not stop there. Eckerd College is currently waiting on the funding ($994,000) of a Congressionally-Directed Technology Grant for 2004-2005.

Stay tuned for more information. If you have any questions, please email its@eckerd.edu