Adrian Sannier, the University Technology Officer (UTO) for ASU, will host open forums this month regarding the student technology fee, which is up for a vote later in the month.

 

A recent survey of ASU students, accomplished by the Alternative Learning Institute (http://alti.asu.edu/node/87), reveals that students expect the university to do more for them in the area of technology. Some of the desired services include:

 

• More connectivity.

 

• Better technology support services.

 

• An academic experience that makes better use of emerging technologies.

 

The fulfillment of these expanding needs is the purpose of the proposed fee.

 

Maintaining and growing a complex technology infrastructure will require a stable source of revenue, and while the cost of providing these services is rising, the non-recurring funding sources used by ASU are expiring.

 

ASU is not the first university to require a technology fee as a reliable way to fund these crucial services. According to a 2002 survey accomplished by the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research report (www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERB0218.pdf), nearly 70 percent of public universities have instituted a mandatory student technology fee.

 

According to that report, the average student technology fee at these schools was $197 per student (ASU’s is $100). Both of ASU’s sister institutions – the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University – already have similar technology fees in place to meet the needs of their students.

 

During the open houses, Sannier will speak about these topics and answer questions from the student body. The locations and times of the sessions are:

 

• 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Feb. 5, Polytechnic campus’ Tech Room 195.

 

• 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Feb. 6, Tempe campus’ Murdock Hall room 101.

 

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 7, Downtown Phoenix campus’ UCENT room 282.

 

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 12, Tempe campus’ Murdock Hall room 101.

 

• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 13, West campus’ UCB La Sala A room (west end of campus).

 

For other questions about UTO, send an e-mail to (askuto@asu.edu).

 

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