Student Technology Advisory Committee (STAC) – Diverse Responsibilities, High Impact
By Marcus Fischer, Student Co-Chair, and Sean Weaston, member, STAC

There has been a great deal of technological growth on campus this year. As part of Vice President Reid Christenberry’s initiative to reach out to the student population for insight into IT development, the Student Technology Advisory Committee (STAC) was created last year. This year, the committee of thirteen members has seen tremendous growth and taken on many responsibilities. STAC’s 2006-2007 projects included guiding the re-design of the 24-hour a day Gaskill Technology Lab, developing a Blackboard student usage survey, testing the new Microsoft Exchange e-mail and calendaring solution, and serving as technology advisors to the student committee working on the Howe Digital Writing Center.

Gaskill Technology Lab Redesign
A need for collaboration areas and high-tech student development on campus led to the renovation of the lab in 201 Gaskill Hall. STAC has taken on a leadership role in designing all aspects of this lab including its uses, technology, and interior design. The renovations, made possible by the Student Technology Fee, will include rooms for small group, interactive collaboration, a video conferencing room, a high-end video editing suite, and several Podcasting stations.  STAC also chose the Gaskill Lab to be the first facility on campus to offer TeamSpot, a software package designed to incorporate the best aspects of Smartboard, while allowing each person’s computer to have control of the system.  The Gaskill Lab renovation will be completed in June. (See related article for more details.)

Blackboard Survey
The STAC also created a survey about Blackboard to help gauge students’ needs and allow the committee to make further recommendations about Blackboard. The survey was a huge success with over 2,300 participants from across all majors and campuses. The survey results will help STAC determine how many active Blackboard sites there are, the tools being used on Blackboard, and the components of Blackboard students would like faculty members to utilize more.  These results will allow STAC to advise IT administration and university officials on specific areas where further Blackboard training should occur and help encourage further Blackboard adoption.

E-mail/Calendaring System and the Howe Digital Writing Center
STAC had the opportunity to offer assistance on other campus initiatives this year including the E-mail/Calendaring system and the Howe Digital Writing Center. Students on STAC were asked to assist in testing Microsoft Exchange, the new e-mail and calendaring system. Members were able to voice concerns and suggestions regarding the usage, deployment, and migration of the new system. The student committee working on the Howe Digital Writing Initiative also asked STAC to work closely with them to provide advice on the various technology tools that will be implemented into this center.  The center is expected to open this fall. 

Interested in Learning More about STAC?
If you would like to know more about STAC or become a member next year, please visit www.muohio.edu/stac.