The University of Winnipeg is seeing some of the benefits from a recently instituted student technology fee, with more on the way.
The fee, which was instituted in September 2013, is designed to provide the university with capital to upgrade network infrastructure, data storage and capacity, wireless service, cellular coverage, and enhance student computer labs, among other initiatives. The idea, says the U of W, is to “elevate the level of technology services delivered to students and faculty.”
Students are already seeing the impact – new online tools to access financial account information and simplify password resets, and a soon-to-be released web app that can easily update mailing addresses will prevent them from having to make time-consuming trips to administration offices.
In the coming months, the university will be rolling out rapid charging stations for mobile devices, and an online degree audit app that will help students analyze course change scenarios and plan their course of study better is in the works as well.
As a result of the introduction of a new Student Technology Fee, the University has made – and will continue to make – major investments in technology to enhance the student experience,” said university President and Vice-Chancellor Lloyd Axworthy in a release.
This year will mark the fourth in a row that the U of W has doubled its internet network capacity. By the end of March, the university says over 3,500 staff, student, and faculty computers will have been reconfigured and updated to a more stable and supported computing platform.
