Peter,

As it stands now, here's what I have that a student technology fee could be applied to:

  - a tiny portion ($4/yr) would be used each year to repair our telephone 
    infrastructure in the residence halls (phone jacks, RF jacks, line cords).


  - $10-15/yr for media infrastructure such as:

        maintaining our SMATV system as more television goes digital

    and media services such as: 

        movie channel, additional TV programming for training, education, news.


  - $50/yr for network access, including:

        a data network "port for every pillow"; 

        ethernet interface cards/cables that could be rented for the year;
        
        expand robust off-campus access for students living off-campus

    and network services/support such as:

        residence hall student computer consultants



We also have the ETI goals to meet:

  - more classroom instructional technology

  - information services (kiosks)

  - leasing student computers

  - distance learning technology


And, we would could use it to augment SCAP monies to improve student computing facilities and services such as:

  - upgrading computers in student labs

  - improving print services (acquiring "enabling technology" that would make
    this operation self-sustaining (e.g., using a SUNY card to print)

  - self-paced training materials development and support

  - provide state-of-the-art "luxury" computer equipment such as
    scanners, color printers, etc. for 'exclusive student use'

-----------------------------------------

Also, Doug raised some concerns about the fee.  Here's what I received from him:

Technology Fee.  I have reservations about a technology fee in the face
of rising tuition, simply because it heightens the expectations for what
will be offered and the level of service expected.  Like most fee requests,
this could be so controversial as to produce a form of gridlock,
particularly if the benefit is not equitable to nonresidential students.
It will also beg the question...what are we getting now for what we pay?

Nevertheless,  discussion of potential fees and examination of their
feasibility is practically obligatory, so here's what I'd do with it if
there were one, and observations about other considerations...


1. Such a fee would need to be able to be accumulated/rolled over to future
fiscal years to take advantage of future technologies when desirable.

2. This fee should probably apply to grad. students as well.

5. Discussion of the fee concept should begin with representatives from
student government right away...

6. Part of this fee should be used to fund student interns from various
departments to begin to develop the expertise in curricular areas needed to
support the goal of "curricular technology literacy". In other words, as
much as possible choosing the students hired to do support (if we use
students) should be based as much on how it will help them educationally as
it is financially)

  [The remainder of Doug's suggestions are included above --Bob]