APPLIED TECH:  We need to replenish our set of cabling tools (diagonal pliers, RJ-45 crimpers, etc.) used to make Ethernet patch cables in our Data Communications and Networking courses.

Hardware/Software (CIT 112) is one of the core courses of our curriculum.  It is currently housed in BT-253, a small, cramped room with insufficient power and networking facilities, and no proper laboratory benches.  In addition, this course currently requires several complete computer component kits (case, motherboard, memory, hard drive, etc.) so that students can assemble an entire functioning computer system solely from individual components.  Due to wear and tear, the kits have a limited usable lifecycle, and must be replaced at a regular interval.  It has been several years since the last rotation, and our current batch of kits are nearly worn out.  As such, we require a new set of kits if we are to continue to offer this course in an acceptable manner.

The current laboratory space (BT-253) used for this course is no longer sufficient to accommodate the student load.  This artificially caps the number of students we can enroll in any particular section due to crowding and safety concerns.  In addition, the room is not optimally configured for this type of class, as it lacks proper laboratory furnishings such as workbenches, power outlets, and network connectivity.

    As such, we wish to identify a new laboratory environment.  There are several rooms in BioTech which already have such facilities that may currently be underutilized (e.g. BT-352).  Other facilities recently vacated by the Biology Program appear to be sitting idle on the top floor of BioTech.  These rooms, or even just one, would be ideal for our purposes and would go a long way toward alleviating our space issues.  We need to select a more appropriate space, outfit the room with appropriate furniture (desks, lab tables) and computers, and ensure the presence of appropriate infrastructure and facilities (electric, networking, HVAC).  As noted above, there appear to be several areas in BioTech already suited for the purpose, the most fiscally responsible path to move forward would be to reallocate one of these underutilized spaces for laboratory use.  Our existing Hardware/Software lab (BT-253) will hopefully be repurposed as our Cloud Computing lab environment.

      Our department already boasts a moderately sized Cloud Computing cluster built by our faculty with financial assistance from a SUNY Innovative Instructional Technology Grant.  It is currently utilized as a laboratory environment for many of our advanced courses.  Unfortunately, we have already expended the capacity of our current system, and are seeking to expand and enhance the cluster in order to support a greater number of students and courses.  The cluster also allows us to offer training in emerging technologies that students would otherwise not encounter until they reached industry, thus better preparing them for gainful employment.  When expanded, one of our goals is to extend Internet access to our Cloud.  In this way, we could offer more upper division courses in Newburgh and in a distance learning format.

     We have already had multiple preliminary discussions with the Foundation regarding this request.  Potential funding is tied to a major gift proposal currently in draft with the Foundation.  If granted, half of the requested amount would be eligible for matching SUNY Capital Expenditure monies already in place for the BioTech building.

      Note that the attached budgetary request represents an example configuration and cost estimates.  The final implementation components may vary depending upon funding, facilities constraints, vendor pricing models, and the availability of newer systems.

      It should also be noted that the current allocation of requested funding resources is highly dependent upon support from SUNY Orange.  We have spoken with IT to identify data center space already equipped with sufficient power, networking, and HVAC resources.  If such a location is no longer available, an alternative setting will need to be identified and a significant portion of the funding request will have to be reallocated to facility development.

      We would also like to look into the possibility of obtaining some dedicated hours from IT staff for integration and administration of the new cluster.  This will ease the administrative burden on faculty (who have borne it without compensation for several years without complaint).  One way of potentially filling this need would be to allocate student workers drawn from either work-study or our internship program, provided our faculty can set skill criteria and decide which students are eligible.

    Our current networking lab facilities are grossly overextended.  There are already over 40 contact hours a week scheduled in our single Networking Lab.  We are also working with CAPE to start a Cisco Certified Networking Academy to provide training for the Cisco CCNA certification.  Since such training will also require the use of this laboratory equipment, this will serve to exacerbate our existing scheduling woes.  With the addition of more PTECH students and our CAPE CCNA plans, we require additional lab space and resources if we are to continue to offer sufficient class sections to accommodate our expanding set of students.  Ideally, we would like to build a new networking laboratory space in Newburgh to serve these goals.  This would allow us to expand our course offerings at the Newburgh campus.  Currently we only offer introductory classes such as Computer Literacy, Applications, and HTML at Newburgh.  However, with a network lab there, we could begin to offer the Cybersecurity and Networking course sequences at the Newburgh campus.

A detailed summary of costs is described in the Resources tab.  Note that some of items may qualify to be purchased at a significant discount via Cisco Networking Academy lab "bundles."  We are currently seeking funding for this initiative.  Since we are embarking upon this as a joint venture with CAPE, we are working with Pete Soscia and David Kohn to identify potential funding sources.

NOTE:  due to the nature of the material being taught, our current networking laboratory in Middletown is on a subnet isolated from the remainder of the campus LAN.  It might be prudent to consider a similar arrangement at the Newburgh campus.

  Our store of patch and crossover cables used in Networking laboratory sessions is rapidly becoming depleted.  We need to purchase additional cables to replenish our cable sets.

BIOLOGY: Equipping/Installing a computer station with internet access and printer would markedly enhance student learning/tutoring sessions due to convenient access to Blackboard and other web-based resources.  Currently, such access while available in the Newburgh library, requires students/tutors to relocate venues on a continuing basis causing interruption and confusion. Student in our Middletown BATCAVERN already have access to such venue-specific stations.

A Micro-video System with a Flat Screen Monitor has proved most useful to students in Anatomy and Physiology Labs in Middletown and Newburgh.  Instructors teaching Introduction to Biology at Newburgh strongly advocate for a similar system to be used in acquainting their students with the detail of cellular, tissue, and organ structure, essential learning objectives of the course.  This is one of the most difficult concepts for students to master and the ability for the instructor to demonstrate tissue architecture to the group through this medium will be most helpful.  It is expected that this will greatly contribute to student success in this pivotal gateway course for pre-health profession students.  The requested equipment includes a microscope with a digital camera and a flat-screen TV monitor; current cost is approximately $3,750.

Fundamental understanding of biology requires hands-on critical observation of the detailed structures of living organisms, cells, tissues and organs at the microscopic level.  The microscope is basic equipment to any biology lab.  Currently, microscopes in service in our General Biology lab are quite old and have seen years of service during which lenses have become scratched and fogged to the extent that images are not clear and students are frustrated.  As General Biology I is the initial course in our A.S. Natural Science degree sequence, it is especially important that students have "engaging" opportunities for hands-on observation and inquiry.

BUSINESS:  NOTE: Before CIO B. MacDonald left, he expressed that this request be funded by $ provided to IT from the County.  In order to maintain industry-standard excellence in the AAS Accounting program, we must instruct on the latest accounting version of QuickBooks Financial Software.  This will fulfill our own Departmental Goal #1 as well as the College mission

MATH: Many of our classrooms have overhead projectors.  As these die off they will not be replaced.  We would like to have lady bugs (or a similar technology) in place of the overhead projectors. 

provide adequate space, computers, and office equipment for faculty

1. provide office kiosks for adjuncts in HA 305 and HA 321
2. provide new computers and furniture for newly hired faculty
3. replace broken furniture.  We need to modernize our current offices.  HA 315, HA 311, HA 302A along with the adjunct spaces (HA 305 and HA 321) need a "face-lift"
4. Work with facilities to create a "cleaner" environment

HA 313 is an outdated classroom with very old, small desks.  We actually had to bring in three desks for one particular class because three students could not fit in the desks.  This was very embarrassing for these students.  The chalkboard is unsafe with the way it slides up and down. 

SEA: The laboratory equipment at Kaplan is set up to run Elements of Chemistry (CHM120).  We would like to offer General Chemistry (CHM 105) and need to purchase some additional equipment and materials to do this.