I. Purpose

The Faculty Technology Advisory Committee’s (FTAC) goal is to support Full-time Faulty in the use of technology to promote student success.  The FTAC mini-grant fund seeks to finance projects not normally covered under the regular budgetary process.  These funds may be used to supplement an instructor’s office technology needs and or research activities that may be used as seed money to test out an idea prior to submitting an Action Plan to request additional resources.  Technology items/tools that can be requested include: type of single office system, hardware peripherals, software, and the long term check-out of laptop computers.  In order to better use and apply these tools, mini-grants to supplement the expense of technology-related faculty development activities are also supported.  Technology related development activities may be in the form of attendance at workshops, seminars, and conferences, whose primary content area is the use of technology in education.

To qualify for funding, the proposal should support and enhance instruction. The proposal should identify content specific instructional software, software for instructional management, and software for the development of instructional materials or other tools and activities that directly relate to the above items.

II. Objectives and Eligible Projects

Exemplary projects promote the goals and objectives of College of DuPage and address the following objectives:

• To explore new and different approaches to the teaching/learning process

• To assist faculty in keeping their students aware of new knowledge in their fields

• To assist faculty in applying teaching/learning research to classroom instruction

• To promote activities which improve student support and enhance the teaching/learning process

• To encourage Full-time faculty to test out and evaluate innovative ideas.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include:

• projects that enhance classroom instruction

• projects for research and development

• projects that enhance student support

• projects that expand an applicant’s knowledge of his/her subject area

• projects that establish a baseline prior to the submission of an application for external funding.

Please note:

• Faculty compensation is not eligible for support.

• Mini-grants are considered "seed money" for new projects rather than continuation of support for previously funded projects.

• Equipment requests are funded only when necessary to fulfill the project objectives.

III. Funding Levels and Restrictions

Information Technology administers the hardware, software, development and Faculty Office Computer replacement budget accounts.  Faculty development requests are limited to $500.00 of financial assistance to offset other Institutional costs related to the expense of attending a seminar/conference/training related to the use of technology in the faculty member’s related field. At the time that proposals are submitted, FTAC operates under the assumption that trips/ conferences/ seminars/ events have the support of your direct administration and your award is contingent upon these factors. As outlined under Board policy and procedure #6100 there are various approvals and signatures that need to occur to obtain reimbursements. Any development mini-grant reimbursement is contingent upon following existing policies and procedures.”  

IV. Administration Application Process

• Read the Mini-Grant Guidelines  - www.cod.edu/it/ftac/ftachome.htm

• Consult with your FTAC divisional representative regarding application procedures and project scope.

• Submit a completed application by the monthly deadline to the FTAC Committee.

• Submit the completed form via the WEB. This will automatically send the submission to Information Technology for review. If you have any questions please contact Joe Miragliotta, Manager Emerging Technologies, Information Technology, Chair FTAC-- at ext. 2783

• FTAC meets once a month during the academic year to evaluate technology proposals.

• Proposal approvals or rejections will be done by FTAC. Decisions will be based upon the potential benefit for an individual and/or group development, potential for positive impact on students, relationship to college mission, and cost/benefit.

• Any requests for hardware or software over $1,000 will be reviewed in May.

• The FTAC committee member will officially notify the faculty member(s), the FTAC divisional representative and the Dean of the outcome of the proposal.

• All technology will remain the property of the College of DuPage.

Review Process

• The FTAC Committee reviews all applications to ensure adherence to guidelines and appropriate fit with program purposes and objectives.

• Qualifying applicants will submit their proposals to the committee. Because the review committee frequently has questions that may affect funding decisions, the applicant (or FTAC representative) may be asked to personally present the proposal to the selection committee.

Award Process

• The committee selects projects for funding.

• Following selection of awards, notification of award will be provided by the FTAC committee.

• Appropriate ordering of hardware/software will be handled by Information Technology.

• FTAC requests for awarded Development funding should be sent to Information Technology along with the Reimbursable Expense Form.

V. Required Project Progress Report

After the project/initiative/activity is completed, the recipient will prepare and forward a project report to FTAC for inclusion in a quarterly report. These reports will include an evaluation of the project's/initiative’s/activity’s success in meeting the identified project objectives. Progress reports are due upon completion of the mini-grant initiative or 90 days from receiving any hardware/software or faculty development funding. No additional request for funding by that faculty member will be considered until the project report has been submitted.