Spring Break
LTS faces large cuts to budget
Over 100 computers in 16 labs on campus are slated for removal
Janie Boschma
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Campus News
Where administrators are trying to limit budget cuts to academics, Learning and Technology Services is trying to help make up the difference.
University administration has given LTS a $645,155 target for budget reductions. To meet the request, LTS has proposed nearly $381,000 of that in base cuts, and about $264,000 in one-time cuts, according to an April 6 LTS newsletter.
Though LTS director Craig Mey said he understands academics should be a priority, he is not looking forward to the tough decisions ahead.
"I'm sure we're hit harder, a lot harder," he said.
Included in the base cuts are eliminating 120 computers from the 16 general access labs on campus. That could require removing all computers from four general access labs and converting them to classrooms, or removing a few computers from each of the 16 labs, Mey said.
"Obviously you're not going to be happy cutting computers," said Andrew Cooan, director of Student Senate's Information Technology Commission. "No student is."
Cooan said the cuts are naturally disappointing, but he understands they are necessary and at least appreciates student input is being taken seriously. Losing computers instead of knowledgeable support staff is a fair tradeoff, he said.
Juniors Kayla Edwards and Dave Chatham both said they would rather see a few computers be removed from each lab than close one completely. They most often use the labs on the second floor of Hibbard Hall, the first and second floor of Schneider and the 24-hour access lab in the Old Library.
Edwards suggested that if LTS were to close a lab, they coordinate class schedules accordingly so students don't have to compete even more with closed labs during teaching hours.
Chatham suggested LTS limit Mac labs and use more PCs, because Apple computers are more expensive.
"It's such a tough situation they're in," Chatham said. "You have to make cuts …"
LTS has been tracking logins between January and April to determine which labs are used most often. However, Mey said that system is flawed because there is no way to indicate which computers are logged in for legitimate school purposes or for personal Facebook use.
Instead, Mey and Cooan are trying to gather as much student, staff, faculty and facilities input before LTS finalizes its budget by July 1.
"From an LTS perspective, we care, but we don't really have a lot vested in which lab (gets cut)," Mey said. "We need the money."
Though it's too early to tell, Cooan said if LTS decides to close an entire lab, one of the general access labs in Schneider Hall could likely be a "realistic candidate," especially because all business students are now required to own laptops. Schneider is also the only academic building, besides Hibbard, that has more than one general access lab.
Fewer computers, restricted computer disk growth, and postponement and reduction of upgrades are the proposed cuts most likely to affect students. But faculty and staff will also notice reduced services in the fall.
The equipment check-out pool for faculty and staff has been eliminated, though Mey said the most frequent users will have the opportunity to permanently keep some equipment, eliminating LTS' need to man the checkout desk and to offer equipment maintenance. Mey said the students' equipment checkout in the library will not be affected in the cuts.
Three staff members will also retire, allowing LTS to hire more students to replace them, though the upcoming minimum wage increase will limit student hires, Mey said.
Mey said he's trying to stay positive and provide an outcome that would best serve the majority considering the circumstances. Mey said any structural change always provides an opportunity for improvement. He hopes the re-evaluation will allow LTS - and the students, faculty and staff they serve - to determine which services they need most and which need to be refined.
Until then, Mey has set up a "complaint department" in his office in OL1101, designating one chair for lobbying and one for whining. Mey said the chair choice is up to the visitor.
To contact Cooan and indicate your opinions on the LTS budget cuts or provide suggestions, e-mail him.
University administration has given LTS a $645,155 target for budget reductions. To meet the request, LTS has proposed nearly $381,000 of that in base cuts, and about $264,000 in one-time cuts, according to an April 6 LTS newsletter.
Though LTS director Craig Mey said he understands academics should be a priority, he is not looking forward to the tough decisions ahead.
"I'm sure we're hit harder, a lot harder," he said.
Included in the base cuts are eliminating 120 computers from the 16 general access labs on campus. That could require removing all computers from four general access labs and converting them to classrooms, or removing a few computers from each of the 16 labs, Mey said.
"Obviously you're not going to be happy cutting computers," said Andrew Cooan, director of Student Senate's Information Technology Commission. "No student is."
Cooan said the cuts are naturally disappointing, but he understands they are necessary and at least appreciates student input is being taken seriously. Losing computers instead of knowledgeable support staff is a fair tradeoff, he said.
Juniors Kayla Edwards and Dave Chatham both said they would rather see a few computers be removed from each lab than close one completely. They most often use the labs on the second floor of Hibbard Hall, the first and second floor of Schneider and the 24-hour access lab in the Old Library.
Edwards suggested that if LTS were to close a lab, they coordinate class schedules accordingly so students don't have to compete even more with closed labs during teaching hours.
Chatham suggested LTS limit Mac labs and use more PCs, because Apple computers are more expensive.
"It's such a tough situation they're in," Chatham said. "You have to make cuts …"
LTS has been tracking logins between January and April to determine which labs are used most often. However, Mey said that system is flawed because there is no way to indicate which computers are logged in for legitimate school purposes or for personal Facebook use.
Instead, Mey and Cooan are trying to gather as much student, staff, faculty and facilities input before LTS finalizes its budget by July 1.
"From an LTS perspective, we care, but we don't really have a lot vested in which lab (gets cut)," Mey said. "We need the money."
Though it's too early to tell, Cooan said if LTS decides to close an entire lab, one of the general access labs in Schneider Hall could likely be a "realistic candidate," especially because all business students are now required to own laptops. Schneider is also the only academic building, besides Hibbard, that has more than one general access lab.
Fewer computers, restricted computer disk growth, and postponement and reduction of upgrades are the proposed cuts most likely to affect students. But faculty and staff will also notice reduced services in the fall.
The equipment check-out pool for faculty and staff has been eliminated, though Mey said the most frequent users will have the opportunity to permanently keep some equipment, eliminating LTS' need to man the checkout desk and to offer equipment maintenance. Mey said the students' equipment checkout in the library will not be affected in the cuts.
Three staff members will also retire, allowing LTS to hire more students to replace them, though the upcoming minimum wage increase will limit student hires, Mey said.
Mey said he's trying to stay positive and provide an outcome that would best serve the majority considering the circumstances. Mey said any structural change always provides an opportunity for improvement. He hopes the re-evaluation will allow LTS - and the students, faculty and staff they serve - to determine which services they need most and which need to be refined.
Until then, Mey has set up a "complaint department" in his office in OL1101, designating one chair for lobbying and one for whining. Mey said the chair choice is up to the visitor.
To contact Cooan and indicate your opinions on the LTS budget cuts or provide suggestions, e-mail him.
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