Classroom Upgrades Project

Upgrade Request Procedures

Auditorium pictures

Departmental Classrooms

Requests involving classrooms and instructional spaces whose scheduling is controlled by the academic unit must have a dollar-for-dollar budget match from the department. This can include in-kind equipment, but it must be comparable and compatible with equipment installed in the other upgraded classrooms on campus. All teaching technology must be consistent across campus, so that once an instructor has learned how to use it in one classroom, he or she can use it in all other facilities. The Classroom Initiative Implementation Team will set and periodically review classroom technology standards. All other components (furniture, shades, etc.) will be kept consistent with the University Standard as well.

Upgrade requests can be made for any equipment that is used for teaching and learning. This may include the new teaching technology, furniture, seating, blinds, shades, screens, carts, podiums, specialized equipment, etc.

Fulfillment of these upgrade requests is dependent upon matching funds that are available annually. Prioritization of these requests is determined by the Team, based on overall benefit to the University, the order requests are received, and the matching funds available from the department.

Academic units interested in upgrading classrooms and other instructional spaces such as studios and laboratories should submit to the appropriate academic dean a memorandum to this effect. The dean must acknowledge his/her agreement to the resource commitments in writing and forward the request and acknowledgement to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for his approval. The memorandum, with the dean's and the provost's concurrences, will then be directed to Phil Gatton, Director of Plant and Service Operations, for the Classroom Initiative Implementation Team’s attention.

The memorandum must specify the following:

  1. Which specific classrooms or instructional spaces require upgrades
  2. What equipment is needed (such as SMART Boards, SMART Sympodiums, computers, etc.), including specifications, prices, and installation costs
  3. When the upgrades should ideally be completed
  4. The contact person for information about the upgrades
  5. Justification of non-standard (SMART Boards, etc.) equipment.

General Classrooms

Requests involving classrooms in the general inventory, scheduled by Marty Will in Scheduling, do not require a budget match by the department. Requests for these rooms should also go through the appropriate dean and on to the Provost who will forward them on to the Team for discussion. The Team will evaluate general classrooms annually and prioritize upgrades based on existing conditions, number of requests, and overall benefit to the university.

Points of Contact

The following people on the Classroom Initiative Implementation Team are available to assist academic units with their requests.

Procedures and faculty concerns
  • James Allen, History
    (453-3466)
  • Jon Davey, Architecture
    (453-3734)

Classrooms in the general inventory
  • Marty Will, Scheduling
    (453-2960)

Teaching technology equipment specifications:
  • Howard Carter, ISS
    (453-2258)

Telecommunications:
  • Dave Bouhl, IT
    (453-8363)

Facilities:
  • Brian Gorecki, PSO
    Interior design and furniture
    (453-6773)
  • Brian Gorecki, PSO
    Infrastructure and architectural items
    (453-6773)
  • Mike Mangan, PSO
    Electrical
    (453-6785)
  • Skip Cosgrove, PSO
    ADA concerns
    (453-1100)
  • Sophie Beckman, PSO
    Accounting information
    (453-5199)

Plant and Service Operations:
  • Phil Gatton
    (453-4172)
  • Scott Weber
    (453-6777)