A Strategic Plan for Technology Innovation & Implementation at West Virginia Wesleyan College

Final September 25, 1996

1999 Revision

I. Introduction

A. Rationale

West Virginia Wesleyan College must plan wisely for the development of educational technology as it is challenged to do more with fewer resources. The Strategic Planning Task Force offers this plan for implementing twenty-first century technology at WVWC. Our goal is to cultivate a service-oriented educational environment which advances instruction, research, and institutional management by providing the best available information and computing resources.

We are committed to helping students prepare for the intellectual and technical demands of a society where technology permeates both professional and personal lives. Computer resources are often seen by prospective students as a measure of an institution's viability. Peer and aspirant colleges with substantial educational technology resources are at a competitive advantage for new students. Many potential students come from high school programs rich in computer access and technology. We cannot expect they will be attracted to a college with outdated and inadequate computer facilities. With implementation of this plan, we can assure prospective and enrolled students that they will graduate from Wesleyan with demonstrable computer skills.

Wesleyan seeks to provide a service environment and support structure that enhances the quality of its educational program. By applying advanced technology to its administrative functions, the College can make substantial improvements in these areas, increasing efficiency and removing barriers to student success. Changes in administrative procedures will accompany changes in instructional delivery, both supported through technology. We will sustain this environment through a program of universal access to computers; student-centered learning enhanced by technology; professional training and system development; and a broad array of both enterprise-specific and worldwide electronic information resources.

B. Vision Statement

West Virginia Wesleyan College Vision Statement

WVWC will use technology to create an enhanced human environment, while positioning itself to make rapid, efficient use of future technologies for the benefit of its students and the citizens of West Virginia. Imagine an environment where, for example:

Students sitting in the dorm, at home, at work, in the Library, in a computing lab, or in the student center can view a campus calendar or class schedule; access a consortium of institutions; edit a text; visually review the latest biology experiment; register for a class; or send a note directly to the White House staff.
Faculty use information technology to enhance their instructional and research capabilities; communicate easily (in any language) with colleagues throughout West Virginia, the United States, or the rest of the world; and teach difficult concepts more easily through the use of a fully-equipped, advanced presentation classroom.
Anyone with appropriate authorization can find an accurate, up-to-date student record in seconds and assist a student in paying a bill, check progress toward graduation, or register a housing preference. An easy-to-use student, financial, and human resource information system makes campus operations run smoothly for students, faculty, and staff.
Administrative staff serve students through access to accurate, timely information critical for informed decisions and outcome measurement. Grant information and financial aid data are acquired from federal, state, local, or private organizations in seconds. Class scheduling and allocation of instructional resources are automated.
Information flows in both directions between the College and the Buckhannon community so that the campus meets current community needs.

II. Recommended Model

Principal Assumptions

Computers and other instructional technologies are educational tools which are used to meet the College mission.
An improved technological base will help the College meet institutional goals.
Computer and technology plans will be user-centered and operations user-controlled.
Where national and international standards exist, the College will adopt software, hardware systems, and communication protocols that adhere to those standards.
One ubiquitous network will link the entire campus, and provide capacity for voice, video, and multimedia data.
The campus network is open, allowing connectivity with a wide variety of different types of equipment including PCs, printers, plotters, FAX machines, and others.
The College favors a distributed computing model which decentralizes information processing resources.
The College will comply with regulations regarding intellectual property rights including the creation/authorship of technology-related items.
Student ownership of computers will allow us to equitably and significantly advance the use of technology for quality instruction while relieving demand for computing space.
The College will proceed toward a standard computer system for students and employees. This system will use the Windows95 operating system, and Intel or compatible processor.
Discipline-specific laboratories will be continued with a high level of technology. These labs may contain Macintosh, UNIX, or other systems in support of the unique needs of some disciplines. Students will not be required to furnish compatible systems unless they are "standard".
The College will conduct an extensive study on how to serve the students, faculty and staff better as we acquire new administrative systems. College employees will see opportunities to improve service as they change the way they do business to match new administrative systems. As the College evaluates new administrative systems, the intent will be not to try to fit current modes of operation, but to analyze requirements strictly on a service basis.
Administrative systems will be converted by the vendor.
Administrative systems will have software and hardware selected together.
All efforts will be made to use the software as it is delivered and maintained. Necessary changes as well a maintenance will be furnished by the vendor.
The College can contract with a vendor(s) for life-cycle replacement of faculty and staff computers. Appropriate levels of service support will be provided during the life-cycle of the equipment.

Goals of WVWC

1. ACCESS

The College will furnish infrastructure for network connectivity and "plug-ins". The vendor will assume responsibility for computer performance beyond the network connection.
By March 1997, the College will provide network access to information systems for faculty, staff, and students.
By January 1997, the College will arrange with a vendor(s) to procure (either purchase or lease) the standard workstations required for faculty and staff. In addition, the College will arrange for the assignment of a standard computer for each student paid for through the tuition and fee structure. Note: This will not restrict student procurement to this vendor.

Faculty Access to Computers in Offices:

By January 1997, the College will provide a "standard" microcomputer and network connection for every faculty member that requests such. This equipment is essential to allow faculty to engage in computer-mediated information generation, distribution, and retrieval. Faculty will then have the opportunity to incorporate computer and associated technology into their classrooms as soon as possible. Thus students with "standard" microcomputers are more likely to use those computers in their classes as the faculty become familiar with educational technology.
By January 1997, faculty will be furnished with basic software. This will be the "standard" word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation program.

Student Access to Computers:

By Fall 1997, freshmen will be expected to obtain and be responsible for their own "standard" computer. The College will provide this computer through its tuition and fee structure. Alternatively, students may supply their own approved computer and request a tuition discount.
By Fall 1997, basic student software will be specified with a purchase arrangement similar to textbooks.
By Fall 1997, specified software will either be furnished by the College or required of the students, depending on cost and convenience.
By Fall 1997, there will be a modest loan program for standard hardware and software check-out by students and faculty.
By Fall 2000, all students will be expected to obtain and be responsible for their own "standard" computer. The terms will be the same as previously stated for freshmen.

Administrative Access to Computers:

January 1997 - January 1998 administrative staff will be furnished with appropriate connected workstations.

ADA Compliance:

Learning and physically-challenged faculty, students, and staff shall have easy access to computers with adaptive technology ensuring equal service.

Policies and Procedures:

The CATC and the Computing Services staff will develop policies and procedures to assure equitable, efficient, and orderly delivery of computer services to all campus constituencies.

Network Development.

The College network will extend to every building on campus and will allow for access from remote sites. It will be fast enough so that bottlenecks do not develop. By April 1997, network connections will be in place in every dormitory room, classroom, faculty office, administrative office, and instructional space.

2. INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY
The College will provide state-of-the-art classroom resources for teaching and learning with the use of computers and related technology.

Computerized Classroom In All Instructional Buildings:

Instruction even in those disciplines which do not rely heavily upon computers for content may benefit from computer overhead displays, interactive demonstrations, and access to remote sources of information. The College will create a fully-equipped computerized classroom on each teaching floor of the following buildings: Christopher, Haymond, Administration, Library, Middleton, Loar, Rockefeller, McCuskey, Annex, and Martin Religious Center. These rooms, for use in general liberal arts classes, will allow for introduction of new technology in larger lecture and demonstration environments.

Discipline-Specific Labs:

The College will create discipline-specific computer labs for those departments with special needs. Grouping computers dedicated to specialized tasks reduces dependence on general-purpose labs, offers monitoring from specially-trained assistants, and assures that students with particular hardware needs will find resources available.

General-Purpose Labs:

The College will maintain four general-purpose computer labs for classes requiring occasional use of basic computing and printing facilities. These labs will be staffed by trained lab assistants and will generally be available for use when not reserved for a class. Two of the labs will be converted to allow use of students' own "standard" computer systems, once they are required.

By Fall 1997, the College will maintain at least a 1:15 computer/student ratio. At least one general-purpose lab will remain unscheduled so that students may be assured of walk-in access to computer facilities.

Electronic On-Campus Instructional Delivery:

The current AV Center will be revitalized as a Center for Instructional Technology, working in cooperation with Computing Services. The Center will assist faculty in finding appropriate use of media for students with differing learning modalities, in exploring options for distance learning, and in streamlining the development of educational technology on this campus.

Electronic Off-Campus Instructional Delivery:

The Computing Services Office will work with the Outreach Education Office to deliver instructional programs utilizing technology. Care must be taken in planning budget and facilities, since remote activity tends to take up more and more resources.

3. COMPUTING SERVICES OFFICE (CSO)
The College CSO shall function as the center of technology and computing expertise, with an integrated consultative service providing training, support, and trouble-shooting through one department.

Computing Services Organization:

The Director of Computing Services will establish a new organizational structure for the CSO, including position descriptions and reporting lines for existing and anticipated staffing. The Computing Services staff will have training, cross-training, and a referral procedure so that users are able to get answers to most questions through one contact with the department.

Communication:

The CSO will establish a program of communicating with the college constituency about instructional technology. Communications may include:

Staff organization and special expertise/responsibility;
Explanation of campus electronic information resources;
Guides to the use of common software and hardware;
Updates on program plans and projects.

Budgeting:

As part of its systematic budgeting process, the College will develop a funding plan for ongoing support of technology and will explore alternative sources of funding. The budget should address not only acquisition of new equipment, but a replacement schedule for obsolete and poorly-functioning equipment and increases in computing-support personnel.

Site License Program:

The CSO shall determine the minimum cost for basic software programs, and negotiate site licenses for software that are advantageous to the College in cost or service.

4. SUPPORT The College will provide an environment where faculty, administration, and students become proficient in accessing and using technology for solving problems, managing resources, and completing tasks.

The CSO shall establish levels of service for software and hardware.

Mentor Program

The faculty computing mentor program as implemented in 1995/96 should be preserved. It has proved very successful in its first year. The person in this position should work with Computing Services to:

Provide the faculty with friendly and understanding coaching and teaching;
Provide Computing Services with understanding of faculty problems;
Help Computing Services personnel improve their teaching capability.

To reinforce the mentor's position as a faculty colleague, it is important that:

Faculty status is preserved;
It is a rotating faculty position;
The position has equal footing as and academic/admisistrator;
Credit should be seriously considered for tenure and promotion, when appropriate.

Computing Skills:

Each administrative area of the College will define a minimum level of computing skills for its current and future employees. The CSO will offer education and training so that all employees achieve basic competency. Training in the most common applications, such as electronic mail, electronic file management, and word processing will be given first priority.

Consultation:

The CSO will develop a "Help Desk" serving students, faculty, and staff with timely resolution of computing problems.

Planning:

The College will plan continuously for the orderly integration of computer resources. Major planning areas include:

building and maintaining the campus technology infrastructure;
facilitating and supporting applications of technology to instruction, research, and management;
establishing guidelines to provide for a continuing financial commitment to computer resources; and
setting up assessment/evaluation procedures to measure computer resource effectiveness.

Maintenance:

The College will allocate sufficient funds for an ongoing maintenance program, including the purchase of tools, replacement parts, and software upgrades.

Security:

Security measures to control access to data and applications will be developed for all information system programs. Personal files of computer users will remain secure as well.

5. INFORMATION RESOURCES
The College-wide community will easily retrieve the information they need to conduct the day-to-day business of the College.

Comprehensive Student Information Management System:

A secure database containing all student data, from addresses to course completion information, will be available to any person whom the institution has determined may have legal access for institutional assessment, self-studies, student advising, planning, project management, data analysis, and development. This database will conform with current and developing EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) standards. In addition, financial and other administrative systems will be replaced.
By January 1997, administrative systems (financial, student information, and other necessary systems) will be selected. Implementation will be completed by June 1999.

Electronic Forms:

The College will move to automation of routine forms and paperwork to enhance productivity and accuracy of data. Forms readily adaptable to electronic systems include course syllabi, textbook orders, supply requisitions, library requests, and budget reports.

Library Automation:

Library systems will have a common user interface and use of the interface will be intuitively obvious. Users at any point on the network will have access to a complete array of Library services, including monograph, serial, and media holdings information; reference assistance; interlibrary loan requests; and electronic document delivery.
The Library strategic plan will be implemented over the next five years.

Remote Information Resources:

The College will support easy access to remote sources of information through robust Internet connectivity and appropriate telecommunications guidance in reaching supercomputers, library networks, research networks, databases, and online conferences. Access to network connections from off-campus will have to be carefully controlled.

III. Summary of Attributes

Function                           Recommended Model

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General description               Accelerated opportunity

Network                           Ubiquitous, Open connectivity

Student labs                      Sufficient College resources in general and discipline-specific labs

Universal access to computers     Universal computer ownership (8/97 Freshmen; 1 more class each year; all by 8/2000)

Faculty access                    By 1/97, connected standard computer with basic software

Replacement                       Ongoing; replace all hardware every 4 years

Instructional delivery            Some computerized classrooms

Mentoring program                 Preserved

Administrative systems            1/97 selected; 6/99 installation complete

Administrative training           CSO provides basic training

Student Information Management    Secure database with access rights defined,Administrative systems are replaced

Computing Services Office         Center of Technology

IV. WVWC Benefits and Risks

Description                                Recommended Model

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Competitiveness for students           Leader among peers in instructional technology

Adequate student computing resources   Universally available

Student choice for computer ownership  No

Support staff required per workstation Less than now, due to standardization

Total support staff required           Significantly more than now

Selection of standards                 May be difficult to agree

Adequacy of implementation schedule    May be too fast for faculty & students

Replacement of administrative systems  Planned

Administrative process change required Yes, to match software packages

Cost of implementation ($)             May be difficult to obtain

The full version of this draft plan contains additional information in an appendix. It is available on Reserve in the Library.

Comments or questions about the draft plan may be addressed to The Strategic Planning Task Force.

STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE

David Burns
Asst. Prof. Mathematics
burns_d@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8310

Richard Clemens
Assoc. Prof. Business/Computer Science
Academic Computing Coordinator
clemens@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8480

Trina Dobberstein
Dean of Student Development and Enrollment Management
dobberstein@admin.wvwc.edu
473-8440

Lana Golden
Director of Student Aid
golden@admin.wvwc.edu
473-8080

William R. Haden
President
haden@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8181

DeLeana Harrison
Student
harrison_dm@academ.wvwc.edu
473-7889

Barbara Kean
Asst. Prof. Education
kean@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8245

G. Thomas Mann
Dean of the College
mann@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8042

Kathleen Parker
Director of Library Services
parker_k@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8059

Robert Skinner
Director of Admissions
skinner_b@admin.wvwc.edu
473-8510

Joanne Soliday
V.P. Development & College Relations
soliday@admin.wvwc.edu
473-8540

R. Duwane Squires
Director of Computing Services
squires@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8311

Gerald Steed
Comptroller
comptroller@admin.wvwc.edu
473-8030

J. David Thomas
Treasurer
thomas@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8040

Kenneth Welliver
Prof. Religion
welliver@academ.wvwc.edu
473-8426

Linda Winspear
Registrar
registrar@admin.wvwc.edu
473-8470

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