Please Note:  Technology Fee proposals are considered twice per academic year. Proposals submitted by the Fall semester deadline are considered for funding that will allow early Spring semester implementation. Proposals submitted by the Spring semester deadline are considered for funding that becomes available after July 1 so they may be implemented by the beginning of the Fall semester.

Background: During Spring semester of 1996, the CSM administration discussed the potential of assessing a technology fee upon all students each semester beginning in the Fall of 1996 with the Associated Students of Colorado School of Mines (ASCSM). Although initially rejected, a counter-proposal developed by student government was ultimately approved and a fee was subsequently approved by the Board of Trustees in May, 1996. As part of the agreement, matching funds have been budgeted by the institution. Technology fee revenues and matching funds are to be administered through the Technology Fee Committee, which was established to solicit, review, and fund proposals. The attached guidelines contain background and information about the technology fee with which you should become familiar.

Eligibility: Proposals are accepted from any academic program, department, or division; the Computing Center, the Library, and any official CSM Student Organization including recognized student chapters of professional societies and organizations. Only proposals meeting the criteria outlined in the Technology Fee Guidelines document can be considered for funding.

Format and Content: Proposals should be limited to no more than five pages (10 point or larger font) plus the Technology Fee Proposal Worksheet (view or download Word 97 version). Supplementary materials (product information, computing lab plans/maps/design, etc.) may be submitted as an addendum. Use the completed worksheet as the cover of your proposal. Proposals submitted without a completed worksheet will not be considered. Proposal narratives must use the following format: Section 1) Proposal Summary; 2) Executive summary of the department's or organization's computing and/or technology strategy; 3) Explanation of the importance of this request and how it fits within the strategy of the department or organization,  4) Specific educational and other benefits that will accrue to students; 5) Summary explaining why existing and/or central resources cannot be used to meet need, 6) Budget Narrative including a) an explicit description of support requirements and sources for support, b) an outline of matching funds to be applied, plans you have for leveraging this grant to attract other funding, or an explanation about why matching funds are not available, and c) a description of the consequences if the proposal is not funded.  As an appendix, you may provide quotes, technical information, and other relevant information.  As part of the appendix, please provide a summary of past technology fee proposals and report on the use of previous technology fee awards.

Proposal Submission and Deadline: Technology Fee Proposals will be evaluated and funded once during each Fall and Spring semester. In order to expedite review, twelve copies of the proposal are to be submitted (two sided preferred). Electronic submission is not yet available. Proposals for Spring Semester 1999 consideration will be accepted in the Computing Center main office (GC 232) until 5:00pm on Wednesday, December 2, 1998.

Evaluation Criteria: The specific criteria used by the committee to evaluate proposals will include:

• potential impact on students,
• potential impact on the mission and operation of the submitting department, division, or organization,
• cost effectiveness (matching requested resources with desired outcomes; quality and appropriateness of request) and Budget (total cost, value),
• department/organization commitment to operation, management, maintenance,
• importance of proposal to CSM students and programs.