Annual Tech Fee Request for Proposals
Each year a Request for Proposals (RFP) is sent out across campus, requesting proposals for technology to enhance the learning experiences for students of Shippensburg University. For an example of the most recent RFP, please see below.
2013-2014 Tech Fee RFP Cover Page
CHANGING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PARADIGM THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
2013-2014
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
In 2002, the State System's Board of Governors established a technology fee for the purposes of (1) enhancing student-learning outcomes; (2) providing equitable access to technology resources; and (3) ensuring that graduates are technologically competitive. Shippensburg collects this fee annually, with the vast majority of the fee set aside for the support and renewal of previously funded projects and ongoing costs. There will be approximately a total of $650,000 available for the 2013-2014 year. $450,000 will be available for new technology projects. Although tech fee monies have funded scientific-intensive equipment in the past, an additional approximate $200,000 will be available specifically for these types of projects this year. As one means of determining effective ways to make use of these new monies and to assist in achieving and establishing the university's continuing goals of enhancing student learning, infusing technology into the curriculum, and encouraging collaboration, a request for proposals is announced in the following categories:
Revised Funding Categories
Improving Learning through Use of Technology
This category is for those proposals addressing an innovative use of new or existing technology for enhancement of the students’ learning experience. Proposals must address how the requested technology will be used in creative ways to enhance the students’ learning experience.
a. Innovative: for new or emerging technology, or use of existing cutting edge technology in new and unique ways to enhance learning opportunities
Example – A Modeling Lab consisting of iPads, an iPad cart, and Data Collection apps, to allow for active data collection and real time data analysis by students during class.
b. Library databases and subscriptions: for those specific to academic disciplines and programs
Example – The Subscription to Cambridge Histories Online for use by students across campus for History research.
c. Instructional facility support: for smart carts, sympodiums, Brightlinks, etc., those items that are used for projection of information
Example – The addition of a Smart Sympodium to classrooms.
d. Computer lab support: specialized hardware, software, etc.
Example – Sufer v10 software was purchased for the SRH001 computer lab in the Geography/Earth Sciences department to allow students access to full-function 3D visualization and surface modeling.
Scientific-intensive Equipment
This category is for proposals for scientific equipment with significant digital components. Proposals can include entirely new or the maintenance (including contracts), upgrade, augmentation, and/or replacement of existing equipment.
Example – The yearly renewal for the maintenance contract for the Scanning Electron Microscope and Sputter Coater in the Biology department, which allows specimens to be examined at high magnifications while retaining excellent resolution.
New or Significant Augmentation of a Technology Enhanced Classroom/Teaching Facility
Proposal must address the complete design, implementation, and use of a new or augmented technology for an enhanced classroom/teaching facilities. For existing projects, proposals must demonstrate current success of existing facility used by students to justify significant augmentation. The percentage of full-time use by students must be indicated.
Example – The increase in lab computers in FSC216 from 12 to 24 units, to better serve the students taking courses in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics departments.
Format of proposals
Please submit one proposal for project with the following sections. Incomplete proposals will be returned to the proposer for revision and resubmission; if the deadline for the current year has passed, then the revised proposal will need to be submitted next year; therefore, there is an advantage to turning proposals in early.
1. Cover sheet
- Title and category(ies) of project
- Name, email address, and phone number of the proposer (the individual(s) who are to receive notification of the results of the proposal process)
- Brief summary/abstract of the project (1 paragraph)
2. Body of proposal
- A description of the project
- Impact of project on academic program(s), such as ensuring that graduates are technologically competitive
- Description of the student population served : description of course(s), frequency of offerings, and relationship to the curriculum including the number of students impacted, including the project’s ability to provide equitable access to technology resources
- Proposed location of the classroom or lab to be equipped, including description of modifications necessary and impact on current usage
3. Assessment
- Clearly articulated student learning outcomes with explanation of how they will be enhanced by the project
- How those student learning outcomes will be assessed and incorporated into the department’s assessment plan; project could impact existing student learning outcomes that are being assessed
Note that utilitarian proposals may have a lower impact on student learning outcomes than other projects, thus a general statement on how the project will impact the academic experience of the students would suffice.
4. Budget
- Itemized list of equipment and software required, with specifications if possible. This list should be prioritized and grouped so that the committee can make partial project recommendations. For example, if there are 5 pieces to a project (pieces A – E) and buying piece A without piece B would not be viable, then group A and B together in the prioritized list. Include information as to how partial funding will effect the project.Quotes for items should be requested, where appropriate, and placed in the Appendix.
5. Appendix
- If you provide any supplemental documents, place them in this section and label each piece that you reference in your proposal, for example, Appendix A Webpage describing device.
The use of the newest and very latest technologies (i.e., wireless networking, high definition plasma screens, etc.) is encouraged. Proposers are strongly encouraged to contact those who can assist with your proposal prior to submission. Please feel free to contact Greg Day (x1985) in Computer Services, Mike Yoh (x1647) in Multimedia Services, Donna Panzo (x1816) in Instructional Design and Development, and William Lensie (x1486) in Facilities Management prior to submitting proposals for assistance regarding the latest equipment or software specifications, budget information and standard itemized lists, impact on infrastructure, or other facilities concerns.
Submission Procedure: Please note, beginning this year all submissions *must* include a completed Cover Page (posted at: http://www.ship.edu/ITS/TechFee/Tech_Fee_Proposals/). This Cover Page will identify the Project Contacts, Category, title, and an Abstract of the Proposed Project. Before a project can be included in the review and ranking process, a cover page must be submitted. Please submit an electronic copy of your Cover Page and Proposal to your Department Chair. The Department Chair will then send the Cover Page and Proposal on to your Dean. Your Dean will consider the Proposals and forward the Cover Page and Proposal to smsmit@ship.edu by 12:00 noon on Friday, March 1, 2013. By forwarding your request, the Department Chair and the Dean will be indicating their approval and priority of the proposal submission. Contact us if you need assistance in scanning supplemental documents to include with your proposal.
Note to Department Chairs: For multiple submissions from your department, the department chair is to forward a ranking of the projects to the dean.
Note to Deans and colleges: you may indicate your priorities of the forwarded projects.
Return to Main Page