Expansion and upgrade of the on-campus computing labs may be useful to you in coursework, as assignments may depend on utilization of software installed in open and departmental labs. The enhancements to the campus network has broad implications in providing electronic mail access to your department and to your professors. Many faculty members will be utilizing the web for distribution of class materials and syllabi, so expansion of the network will improve your access from your machine at home. Additional support via the Student Support Line and access to a broad array of computer based training courses are also available to you. Part of the technology fee does cover capital items such as the campus backbone.
Many improvements occur each year.
The University would certainly have liked for the State to pay for these needed improvements. Unfortunately, this was not possible. Reductions in the current year's funding are planned and further reductions in future years are expected. The UTK student technology fee resulted from a year-long planning process, in which a broad range of the campus community was consulted, including students, faculty and staff. Before the fee was presented to the Board of Trustees, the issue was put to a vote by the three student groups.