Student Technology Fee Committee Objectives for Completion in FY14
New Services
OBJECTIVE


Collaborative learning areas (see Student

Study Areas and Academic Computing
Center)







Citrix deployment


Work to include more and latest apps
 for
all students (must include MS suite and
Forefront AntiVirus)


Work with different colleges and

departments to include additional software
available (specific for some groups to limit
licensing) to be available on the Citrix

server

Ensure availability on all devices


Increase and improve helpdesk support (see

WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
Redesign team has met to work on the initial space design for the ACC
remodel. We anticipate the first round starting later this summer.
We have been updating and redesigning many different classrooms in
partnerships with the colleges.
Testing and redesigning tables in collaborative spaces to be the most
impactful to the learning process.
Testing new styles of computers that laydown and move out of the way
to make collaborative computer labs.
Designing a classroom to allow students to work collaboratively group
to group with 7700 France.
Updating approximately 80 classrooms with newer and updated
equipment.
SPSS has been added and other software packages are being
considered
Geography is testing software applications and Construction
Management is testing AutoDesk AutoCAD suite on the Citrix
environment..
Servers will need to be added to improve performance as student
usage is increasing. (Late Spring – Early Summer Purchase)
(See Helpdesk Support area below)
Helpdesk Support**)

Computer locator


Provide a touch screen computer in the
entrance to the library where students can
view where available computers are in the
library. If successful, expand this to other
places on campus

Post Online

Bring to mobile technology subcommittee
for review for possible integration
Michael – pending

Monthly newsletter (see improve marketing)

ITS has created a “Communications Hub”, which is working to create a
comprehensive communications plan for ITS to improve
communications with all campus constituents: students, faculty, and
staff. Rather than creating another newsletter (which we fear would
become junk email), this group is reaching out to existing
communications mechanisms on campus to “borrow” real-estate. This
will include correspondence in the Academic Affairs newsletter, MSSA
correspondence, Collegiate-level correspondence, the IFO newsletter,
and other areas

Have a virtual tour of our campus


Have a device that can be used – have a “You
are here and this is how you get to where you
are going” app

Create a one stop shop for all events to be

posted on campus
Completed. We produced the campus virtual tour in partnership with the
admissions office. It will be on the campus kiosks, as well as in
MavTUBE at http://mavtube.mnsu.edu/mav_events/campus_tour.html
myMNSU iPhone and Android apps: Maps modules currently allow
users to “Show my location” on campus building map; both apps being
updated for GPS directions in next version.
Way-finding Kiosks are being installed near Einstein Bagels and CSU
front entrance using Four Winds technology.
Ted working with University Scheduling to get access to EMS data for
new/expanded campus calendar
1
**Helpdesk Support
OBJECTIVE


Have student workers put on short

seminars/classes to campus community on
how to use specific software and features (eg
outlook calendar, excel functions, SPSS,
smartboards, etc._

Provide basic help to most electronic devices


Rotate student help throughout ITS help,COB
help and ACC


Focus on a training atmosphere

Continue assessment on all services that are
offered to students to determine if they are still
needed or changed to make better and
resource new services that are needed
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
We have created a specific orientation and “getting started” guide
aimed at students and faculty, which are posted on our YouTube
channels and on MavTUBE. Additionally, we developed extensive
training materials to help students transition their StarIDs. We are also
creating specific training materials for specific courses in several
Colleges, such as the College of Education and the College of
Business
Support currently provided to all students in connecting to services
provided by IT with their compatible devices. Fee-based services
available for advanced software and hardware troubleshooting and
resolution
We’ve met with student technology directors to come up with a
schedule for cross training for all the student faculty to backfill
positions and to be more versatile in assisting/serving faculty, staff and
the student body
We have worked hard to create a more robust training environment for
students. This year we re-invested in Microsoft Academy, and we are
transitioning from Atomic Learning to a much more robust tool,
Lynda.com, which we believe will serve students much better. We are
working on updating the ACC to have a more student-centered focus.
Annual period survey continues to be conducted. Post-transactional
surveys initiated Fall 2013 to assess customer satisfaction with
individual incidents. ITS is meeting with Colleges to gather feedback
from faculty on support issues and prioritization
Improve the marketing and communication of IT initiatives, service and tools
OBJECTIVE

WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)

Create a monthly newsletter or listserv to
subscribe to include sections for students and
faculty. Include cool feature to use, upcoming
events, resources available, suggestion box
for student ideas for technology, MNSU portal
& toolbar, ect (think Tech Fair items.) Also
include new technologies, computer and
software updates, callouts for “dead zones”, or
any other current issues. Store each month’s
information for public access
ITS has created a “Communications Hub”, which is working to create a
comprehensive communications plan for ITS to improve
communications with all campus constituents: students, faculty, and
staff. Rather than creating another newsletter (which we fear would
become junk email), this group is reaching out to existing
communications mechanisms on campus to “borrow” real-estate. This
will include correspondence in the Academic Affairs newsletter, MSSA
correspondence, Collegiate-level correspondence, the IFO newsletter,
and other areas.

Don’t always know what services are available

– better market ourselves (ITS) – Have ITS
new technology in college and department
newsletters
ITS underwent an appreciable update to our web site, including posting
the ITS Services Catalog on the ITS publicly. Our Communications
Hub is working on integrating into the College and departmental
newsletters and other localized communications strategies.

Promote online learning tools (Smartthinking

tutoring, MS certification, Atomic learning, etc.)

Promote the Campus Computer Store

We have updated Atomic Learning to a new and better platform with
better resources, lynda.com. A major campaign to rollout this service is
underway, and will be officially launched as part of the 2014
Technology Fair. We will also be working to increase participation in
Microsoft Academy.
Campus Computer Store has recently updated signage in the CSU and
will continue participating in student orientations, student and
employee resource fairs, and advertise in campus publications.

Update online events page & post to social

media sites

(see above note in New Services section about EMS integration)
Many events and activities are communicated through MavSYNC.

Publicize and strongly recommend technology

training for faculty and staff in academic
technologies
We have 4 staff members that are scheduled for additional training in
academic technology currently. We’ve also in the process of putting
together student worker training at the end of the semester.ichael

Provide information about MSU Technology

and IT Initiatives for all students


Continue “Love your computer
2
week”/”Tech Fair” to educate the campus

about technology and safe computer use
in forums such as FYE, international,
transfer and graduation orientations, open
houses, information tables in CSU etc.





Improve the impact of teaching students (and
their parents) the technology resources on
campus – at orientations
Maintain and update ITS website, handouts

and brochures
Information about labs to faculty

Define faculty procedure for

upgrading/requesting new software

Send out message to faculty to get
feedback early enough
We have partnered with the Admissions office and FYE to promote our
“Getting Started with Technology at MSU” videos on our YouTube and
MavTUBE channels.
We are hosting two Technology Fairs this year, with some tables being
represented by students who are using technology in innovative ways
themselves.
Computer safety and awareness training has begun and there are 4
sessions schedule for March on Identity theft, social media stalking,
frauds and scams, and man-in-the-middle attacks by our ITS Security
Manager.
The IT Service Desk and Campus Computer Store continue to partner
in delivering orientation session presentations for both students and
parents.
The ITS web site has undergone an appreciable upgrade, and is now
substantially more useable and easy to navigate. The Communications
Hub is working to create a range of print collateral, including
brochures, bookmarks, and other items.
Michael - Pending
We have a method in place where we send out a communication to all
the deans at the beginning of the semester for their departments to
send in their requests with enough lead time for us to test and deploy
the software. However; the process breaks down because the letter is
sometimes viewed as “spam” and disregarded. We are exploring new
was of formatting the letters so there not so easily disregarded as well
as other methods to request the data.
Academic Computer Center


Remodel ACC: Group collaboration areas,

OBJECTIVE


latest technology study areas*, availability of
stairs, advertisement for student help when
student have questions, add COB printer
 for
COB minors, better layout in WH 118 & 119


Continue funding of the ACC and Specialized

Satellite Labs, look at additional features that
would enhance the student experience within
the general lab environment

Continue the comprehensive machine cycle
 to
keep technology movement between labs and
other student areas up-to-date

Look at extending Specialized Satellite Labs

coverage to additional areas, such as
engineering and graphic design labs, with tier
equipment.
myMNSU Portal & Toolbar
OBJECTIVE

WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
See new services > Citrix

Continue to move campus resources to the

portal

 Promote capabilities to students/staff
 Continue to improve search results

on MNSU website
Complete recabling and replacement of network switches was
completed winter break 2013-2014 to improve speed and reliability of
networking in the ACC.
COB has moved away from COB-only printers and is now using
standard MavPRINT printing
Complete replacement of network cabling and switches has improved
network speed and reliability
We are currently testing new thin client and solid state technologies for
deployment this summer. The goal is to have realizes cost savings
via price reductions in hardware and maintenance costs as well as
energy savings.
Extension of specialized labs moving forward will require SLA with
departments outlining support expectations, training, and equipment
replacement financing.
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
In discussion with student senators about revision of Current Students
page which will become a pointer to myMNSU portal
Transitioned all web search to Google API in December; results are
significantly deeper and faster.
3
Network Infrastructure
OBJECTIVE

WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
Improve login time for campus computers.

(HIGH PRIORITY)
Student computers are now being ordered with SSD hard drives to
reduce login time and speed updates.

Examine electrical power needs in classrooms

(WH, PA, Edina, and others)
Michael

Examine power needs throughout campus
 for
charging stations for all devices
Working with facilities on adding locations. Trouble getting approval for
specific fixtures.

Increase the amount of space for e-mail 
accounts
Student e-mail on Office 365 provides 50 GB storage!

Continue to increase network bandwidthfor
Internet and Internet 2 access
New firewalls provided by MnSCU with 10 Gbps interfaces (up from
1Gbps) and awaiting a router from the MN.IT with 10 Gbps interfaces.

Investigate external revenue streams (MnSCU

email hosting, etc.)
Working with MnSCU on an idea to co-host MnSCU campus servers at
MSU. MSU can accommodate about 20 racks of equipment.

Increase security and performance of 
networking infrastructure including wireless
technology. Blank or dead spots still remain.
Perhaps provide mechanism to report such
dead spots for faculty, students and
employees (marketing)
Investigate a provide better cell phone 
reception service


Work was done with Sprint to improve campus coverage and improve
data speeds.
Julia Sears will have 4G LTE added to the cellular distributed antenna
system spring 2014. Soon after, Preska Hall will have a DAS installed.
Working with Verizon on plans to expand the DAS to other resident
halls and academic building.


Provide “e-mail for life”
Provide better controls and monitoring systems

to protect student computers from viruses,
worms, spam and hacking
Symantec was replaced with Microsoft Endpoint Protection September
2013.

Improve login time for campus computers

By moving to a thin client solution this will be addressed.
Core Technology Services
OBJECTIVE


Wireless network was upgraded during winter break. Firewalls will be
replaced spring 2014. 72 wireless access points have been added to
improve coverage and 70 will be installed during spring semester to
improve roaming capabilities. Currently, the area that needs critical
improvement is the CSU east side.

Improve experience for guest login capabilities

for network and computers. Investigate StarID
authentication to allow visiting students to use

campus resources. – Ensure this is a kind and

easy transition for our users


Continue to improve MavDISK and enhance

capabilities for students
Continue to work towards a paperless campus


Encourage students and faculty to reduce
printing and use alternatives to printing

Continue to explore the outsourcing of campus

email services e.g. office360, live.edu

Continue to provide reliable MavMAIL services

and enhance capabilities for students
Investigate increasing general MavMAILspace
or backup e-mail space

Continue to add new technologies at the
Campus Computer Store
Mobile Technology
DIRECTIVE

Continue the Mobile Taskforce


This has been provided for students since 2008.
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
MavGUEST has been added to guest areas of campus full time.
StarID migration December 19th.
Integration with System-wide StarID spring 2014.
Evaluation of providing cloud file storage and sharing services is being
done
Student printing is falling 10% so far for FY14.
Students are fully moved to Office 365 and upgraded to Wave15.
Currently working on feasibility of moving campus file storage to
OneDrive.
MavMAIL for students has been replaced with Office 365. Upgrade was
performed November 20th. New enhancements and functionality will
be rolled out regularly by Microsoft.
Students are provided 50 GB of space through Office 365.
The Campus Computer Store works with hardware and software
vendors to continually offer the most current technology to students
and employees at reduced academic pricing.
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
The previous mobile taskforce goals are currently guiding web and app
projects, including the new responsive homepage framework, the
upcoming responsive template for the remaining public web pages,
4
and extending features and functions on the next versions of the iOS
and Android apps.


Capability of Citrix
Add new technologies and improve capabilities

to the myMNSU application
Student Study Areas
OBJECTIVE



Continue installing power and mobile
communications support
Continue to improve MavPRINT






Continue designing space to improve both

collaboration for group study and comfort
 for
individual study

Possible areas for improvement

Armstrong Hall


Minnesota room in the library (2nd floor)

Ford Hall
 of

Outside the Greek office on the 1st floor
the CSU – needs more power/outlets


By the main entrance of CSU by the grand
piano needs more power/outlets

MH Crossroads students would liketo be
involved on this remodeling

WC
Eliminate old or out-of-date technologies
OBJECTIVE


Create a system for ridding support for systems

that are not or hardly utilized
Classroom Technology
OBJECTIVE

Office 2013 applications have been added to Citrix as well as SPSS
and a pilot is beginning which will add Geography applications and
Construction Management programs to Citrix for distance learning and
use outside of a computer lab.
See mobile taskforce notes.
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
Focus for FY14 is wireless coverage, speed and stability/reliability.
MavPRINT Mobile Printing ready October 1st. Rolling out March 1st
when communication is ready.
Additional printers have been added in Crawford, McElroy and this
spring at Stadium Heights will have a MavPRINT location.
Ongoing space evaluations.
The crossroads has been redesigned using the student initiated
designs from their leadership groups in the COB.
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
Working on criteria and procedure for retiring systems.
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)

Continue equipping classrooms and labswith
devices that enhance instruction, student
learning, and the development of technology
skills
We are currently testing new thin client and solid state technologies for
deployment this summer. The goal is to have realizes cost savings
via price reductions in hardware and maintenance costs as well as
energy savings.

Continue integrating emerging instructional

technologies into the curriculum
Jude

Provide adequate resources for the ongoing

services and support necessary to sustain
reliable classroom operations

Continue to provide fair distribution of
technology throughout campus and
departments

We are currently testing new thin client and solid state technologies for
deployment this summer. The goal is to have realizes cost savings
via price reductions in hardware and maintenance costs as well as
energy savings.
We are currently testing new thin client and solid state technologies for
deployment this summer. The goal is to have realizes cost savings
via price reductions in hardware and maintenance costs as well as
energy savings.

Expanded support and service of CSU 
presentation systems

TelePresence system

Note CSU should continue to pay for their
own technology and not use Tech Fee
We are working with university scheduling developers and the registrars
office to come up with a customized solution for Telepresnce
scheduling as well as bringing on additional resources for short term
expansion and maintenance issues.

Maintain a consistent maintenance and 
replacement cycle for classroom multimedia
We are currently going thru the budget for classroom multimedia
presentation equipment and looking at long-term equipment life cycling
5
presentation equipment
Instructional Management Software (IMS)
OBJECTIVE

for better us of current technology.

WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
Assist faculty, graduate TAs and graduate
 and
undergraduate students in the use of the
instructional management system
(Desire2Learn).

We developed the Quality Matters template, which has been applied to
over 60 course sites in D2L, to improve the structure of a D2L course
site.
We have hosted two certificate programs, the CEOTL and a certificate
in flipped instruction, with the CETL. More than 50 faculty have
participated, and we emphasize the need to apply the ideas that we
discuss.
We have created a series that we call “The Basics”
(http://www.mnsu.edu/its/academic/thebasics.html) which is designed
to help new faculty get started effectively with technology in their
teaching at MSU.
We host regular “drop-in” hours in the Faculty Resource Center in the
basement of Memorial Library, which is well-attended and helps faculty
solve specific issues



Support instructional designers on campus
 to
the benefit of students
Our instructional design team has logged more than 200 faculty
consultations since the beginning of AY 2013-2014.
We have hosted two certificate programs, the CEOTL and a certificate
in flipped instruction, with the CETL. More than 50 faculty have
participated, and we emphasize the need to apply the ideas that we
discuss.
We are currently piloting a program called iSALT, the Institute for the
Scholarship of Assessment, Learning, and Teaching, which is
designed to help faculty evaluate innovations in their classes and
improve the learning experience for students.
We obtained a Gates Foundation Grant which allowed us to develop a
tool called MavCLASS, a Learning Analytics program that has
demonstrated interesting results in helping students with learning and
motivation.



Feedback Initiatives
OBJECTIVE

WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)

Provide student technology fee “report card”

once in fall and once in spring
No report card was provided in the fall.

“Suggestion Box” initiatives (see monthly
newsletter)
In conversation with Chris Collins on defining requirements for best
suggestion box feature and functionality.
Support for the Distance Learner
OBJCTIVE





WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
Provide non-campus based students with
technology and support to meet their needs
not covered by existing services as demand
requires. (i.e. Citrix/MavAPPS)
Use of technology for advising services
including 7700 France
MavAPPS use continues to grow. Microsoft Campus License
agreement provides Microsoft Office and Windows at no charge to
students. TelePresence has been refined to use Jabber capabilities to
students. GoTo Meeting is being piloted to provide a better web
meeting experience.

TelePresence endpoints are available in Edina for student help and
advising.
Increase computer support for 7700 France
 via
technology such as videophones
A full-time IT Customer Service staff member is based in Edina.
Walk-in Support:
Expand helpdesk hours (i.e., to cover 7700
France Saturday courses)
Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 8:30 PM


Friday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Phone and E-mail Support:

Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM
6



Printers at 7700 France and how – to
Continued support for Library computing
DIRECTIVE




Provide ongoing commitment for technology

checkout to students.


Increase the number of laptops available

for checkout

Provide presentation clickers for

checkout

Look into other technology available
(such as chargers for various devices) for
checkout

Partner with Library from “Big Idea” funding
 to
add latest technology study areas* in
Memorial Library.

Routing of Minnesota State Mankato library

material to 7700 France campus

Increase e-books, textbooks, and online 
documentation and support for associated
readers (possible inclusion of
InterLibraryLoan)

Friday: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Instructions for printing to all MavPRINT printers available at http://itsonestop.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1237/
WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST YEAR (OR SOON TO BE DONE)
ITS continued to pay for replacement laptop computers to be used in
the ERC checkout program.
ChimeIN is being offered as an alternative to physical clickers.
New areas on 1st floor have been created by the library.
The Library provides home delivery of materials to any student who
lives more than 30 miles from Mankato. Materials can be returned at
Edina or to Mankato.
http://www.mnsu.edu/7700france/resources/library.html
Library services for distance students http://lib.mnsu.edu/distlearn
The library continues to add large numbers of ebooks to our collection.
Last year we added almost 20,000 ebooks and we now have more
than 95,000 available
Inter-library loan is available to anyone using a web browser and
materials can be sent out when requested.
**Definition of “latest technology study areas”
o
More outlets (campus computer store idea)
o
Outlets available with USB connectors
o
Easy to hook up stations for various devices to full screen and/or dual monitors

Place next to outlets so these devices may be changed
o
Large work stations for students (where applicable) – desk space to spread out
7