As in previous years, the 2001/2002 USHE Technology & Distance Education Initiative (TDEI) included funding for Weber State University (WSU) in two categories.  After WSU's share of site licenses administered by the USHE Commissioner's Office were paid out of these amounts (NAI software, statewide Oracle license, statewide Novell software license, etc.) $72,784 was left in student support systems funds and $41,475 remained in the institutional infrastructure category.  

Academic information technology needs continue to be addressed at WSU through a combination of institutional funds (including individual school and college resources) and student fees.  The Academic Resources and Computing Committee (ARCC) engages in an extensive process to address academic computing needs.  Information about the ARCC and its processes and objectives is found on the ARCC web site. 

The following are the proposed uses of the USHE Technology & Distance Education Initiative funds in 2001-02:

1. Student Support Systems ($72,784). The university will continue with the implementation of Web-based processes for students (including admissions, registration and payment of fees) in a 24x7 clustered server environment.  [Although all of these functions are available now, server resets and other problems continue to cause service interruptions.] The proposed new environment will achieve a "professional host" standard of reliability and scalability with automatic fail-over and maximum security transaction processing.  The bulk of the funds will be used to acquire the needed additional rack-mounted servers, implementation consulting, and specialized software.  In addition, the first "MyWSU" portal-based services for students (including single sign-on) should be in place by the end of the 2001-02 academic year.
   
2. Institutional Infrastructure ($41,475).  As in the past, these funds will be used to continue the development and expansion of the university's Gigabit Ethernet data network (Phase III).  Since the planned Phase III building hub and switch upgrades is estimated to cost approximately $325,000, the bulk of the costs will continue to be paid out of institutional funds.