College awarded $1.8 million technology grant
Monday, September 17, 2001
Lacey, Wash. - Saint Martin's College has
been selected, in a highly competitive process, to receive a U.S.
Department of Education Title III, Strengthening Institutions grant. The
$1.8 million award will be distributed over the course of five years and
in relatively equal increments of approximately $360,000 per year.
The grant proposal was submitted to the
United States Department of Education in February and was the result of
the work of a number of faculty and staff members over the course of the
last three years. The grant is intended to improve the quality of
education and services for students. This federal funding, which becomes
available in October, will allow Saint Martin's College to develop
activities in two areas.
Activity One Acquire an integrated and
updated information technology system. The grant provides a means for
replacing outmoded hardware and software with a new, up-to-date system,
allowing for all of the college's offices and departments to be linked.
Implementation of a new integrated technology system will involve not
only the acquisition of new hardware and software but also considerable
faculty and staff training and development. Full implementation of a new
computer system will likely take 12 to 18 months from the time of vendor
selection.
"In terms of practical applications,
we expect the new system will allow faculty members to access student
records for advising, develop web-based instructional materials and
facilitate the registration process for students by allowing on-line
registration," said Jacqueline Johnson, vice president for academic
affairs. "It should also allow easy access to degree audit
materials and information and monitor data related to student
performance that will improve student success and retention."
Activity II Centralize and improve
student support services by developing an Academic Resource Center and
providing opportunities for faculty development in advising,
technology-based instruction and teaching for diverse learning styles.
The primary goal of this second activity is to improve academic and
student services and to enhance the ability of faculty to teach in a
diverse and technologically sophisticated learning environment.
Directors Doug Ford, associate professor
of computer science, has been appointed as the overall grant
administrator. Ford will work with Michael Extine, director of the
office on integrated technology services, and Deborah DeBow, director of
Access Services, as well as activity advisory groups to ensure that
grant implementation is well-coordinated, in compliance with federal
regulations and effective. Extine has been appointed as the director of
activity one and DeBow has been appointed as director of activity two.
"This is an exciting time for Saint
Martin's College," said David Spangler, college president. "We
are at an especially opportune moment to use these resources in a way
that increases our ability to serve our community and fulfill our
mission."
For more information:
Christina Ramírez-Milhoan, communications specialist
Saint Martin's College Office of Communication
360-438-4541 or cramirez@stmartin.edu