Introduction
The Learning Spaces proposals are awarded according to the priorities of the Student Computing fees. The Student Computing Fees, also known as the “Technology Fee,” are student fees used to support technology needs for all students across campus. Examples of how these fees are spent include computer labs, online student services, email, networking (both wired and wireless access), software, the campus online course management system, and technology in the classrooms. The fees are dedicated to:
- Support student use of technology as it directly impacts experiences in teaching and learning.
- Provide student access to computing equipment, networks, software, and information.
- Provide the communication and collaboration tools needed by students.
- Enhance classrooms, computer labs, and student study spaces to support teaching and learning processes.
Governance
The Teaching & Learning Governance Portfolio is a broad group of faculty, administrators, and students from a variety of departments, libraries and colleges, including the Health Sciences. Members are either appointed by the University President or invited to join by the committee co- chairs. The group’s mission is to provide guidance to University Information Technology, SITC: the Strategic Information Technology Committee, and ANTC: the Architecture & New Technology Committee on matters affecting the University’s technology-based educational components, initiatives, teaching, and learning. While the IT governance process on campus was modified in the last few years, the Teaching & Learning Portfolio continues as a standing committee to oversee the annual Learning Spaces-Student Computing Fees allocation process for individual colleges, libraries, and centers.
The Portfolio’s award recommendations are forwarded to the University of Utah Budget Committee so that a more holistic view of Student Computer Fee funding can be balanced with college and library annual budget requests. New strategies will emerge for funding the ever- increasing demand for information and audio-visual technologies as they directly impact teaching and learning.
Important Dates for Applicants
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 15th, 2024 | Learning Spaces Call for Proposals Opened |
| November 27th, 2024 | Deadline to request AV estimates |
| January 24th, 2025 | Proposals Submission Deadline |
| Jan 30th - Feb 4th, 2025 | Applicant meeting with task force |
| Feb 5th - Feb 14th, 2025 | Preparation for final deliberations |
| Feb 26th - Feb 28th, 2025 | Teaching & Learning Governance Portfolio Deliberations |
| March 10th, 2025 | Finalizations and notifications of awards |
| July 2025, FY26 | Awards Transferred to Applicants |
Funding Priorities
Guiding Requirements
- Relate to the teaching and learning mission of the University
- Target broad impact to students and their learning
- Take advantage of centralized/common resources
- Move non-centralized services towards the use of centralized resources
- Exist as general access learning spaces (scheduled through Astra and Space Planning)
- Directly impact student learning experience
- Spend awards in the same fiscal year as when funds are transferred
| Commonly Funded Requests* (*still subject to review) | Not Funded Requests | |
|---|---|---|
| Servers | Requests where students are not the primary beneficiary | |
| Switches and routers | Salaries and wages | |
| Projects dedicated to redundancy of infrastructure (e.g., fallover) | Network backbone fees | |
| Printing equipment | Established enterprise software agreements | |
| Cluster computing resources | Software alternatives to campus-wide solutions | |
| Podium computers | Faculty computers | |
| Virtual reality or simulation equipment | Paper | |
| Computer lab maintenance or installation | Phone charges | |
| Computer lab shared devices | Requests that cannot be itemized | |
| Software licenses | Outdated technology solutions | |
| AV Installation Projects | Requests that should be part of the college’s annual budget request (e.g., equipment necessary for program requirements) | |
| Checkout equipment |