MSU Strategic Investment Proposal

MSU STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROPOSAL FOR INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES
PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
Title		Wireless Network Build-out		Request Date		2012-11-29
Department		ITC		Email		aedelman@montana.edu
Requestor		Adam Edelman		Phone		994-5091
INSTITUTIONAL BENEFIT
Campuses	Bozeman	Billings	Havre	Great Falls	FSTS	Extension	MAES
Cross Depts	All departments.
TIMEFRAME
Proposed Dates	Start: February 13, 2013			End:
PROPOSAL SUMMARY
The IT Center is currently funding the upgrade and expansion of MSU’s wireless network with an estimated completion in 2018. We are requesting funds to accelerate this build-out with a focus on buildings with a high academic use. This proposal will expedite the build-out which has already realized great success in the SUB and Renne Library.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
Objective D.2: Enhance infrastructure in support of research, discovery and creative activities. Objective S.2: Physical Resources. Enhance aesthetic appeal and functional quality of MSU physical resources to support high quality learning, research and work environments. Reliable access for students, faculty, and staff to critical resources available on the MSU network and beyond is essential to meeting these strategic objectives. Wireless connectivity is becoming the primary means for network access and is an expected commodity service by our students, faculty, and staff.
COST AND REQUIREMENTS
Funding Type:	One-Time Only Funding			Base (3-yr Recurring) Funding
	FY13	FY14	FY15	Base ($)	OTO Startup ($)		FTE;
Salaries
Benefits
Materials & Supplies
Travel
Contracted Services				15000
Capital				225000
Other Operations				10000
TOTAL	0	0	0	250000	0
Please comment, if necessary, regarding cost and requirements.
PROPOSAL SCOPE
Describe the Proposal
A significant upgrade and expansion of the MSU wireless network is underway with the Student Union Building and Renne Library leading the way. Upgrades of Gaines Hall, Montana Hall, and the new off-campus Human Resources building are near completion as well. This build-out includes achieving complete Wi-Fi coverage and improved performance with a focus on ease of use for all end-users. There are currently 36 buildings in the MSU Bozeman inventory and the ITC can fund about 5-6 buildings per year resulting in a 6 year completion schedule. We are proposing to accelerate this build-out with a priority on buildings with high academic use initially and the ultimate goal of ubiquitous coverage across campus and the peripheral buildings dependent upon additional funding. Requested funding would allow for purchase and installation of access points and necessary wiring to achieve full coverage in roughly 1/3 of the high-priority academic buildings listed below in the 1^st year, another 1/3 in each of the 2^nd and 3^rd years: High priority buildings include: Chemistry& Biochemistry Plant Bioscience Plant Growth Center Linfield Hall Herrick Hall Wilson Hall Hamilton Hall Leon Johnson Hall Tietz & Lewis Hall Taylor Hall Haynes Hall Cheever Hall Howard Hall Sherrick Hall Traphagen Hall Visual Communications Black Box AJM Johnson Hall CFT 2 CFT 5 – WTI Molecular Biosciences Marsh Lab Reid Hall EPS Cobleigh Hall Roberts Hall Future buildings include: Huffman Safety and Risk Management Foundation and Alumni Center Plew Building Marga Hosaeus Fitness Center Brick Breeden Fieldhouse Swingle Health Center Culbertson Romney Gym Museum Of The Rockies IT Governance will prioritize the build-out order. ITC will provide regular status reports on progress.
Describe the broader impacts and benefits of this proposal
The majority of students arrive on the MSU campus expecting wireless connectivity for multiple devices – a level of service we cannot currently provide in a consistent manner across campus. The recent Campus Computing Survey indicated a 40% increase in the deployment of mobile applications over the last two years on participating university campuses – the use of which is dependent upon reliable wireless connectivity. Specialty mobile student lab computers rely heavily on the wireless infrastructure and will realize significant improvements in usability with this build-out.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Implementation Plan
Initial design work for all buildings listed is currently underway. Installation will be performed by MSU personnel in conjunction with Access Consulting. Additional funds will allow continuous deployment of wireless in conjunction with classroom/lab and holiday schedules.
Assessment Plan
Consistent, reliable connectivity will be achieved in each building as determined by Help Desk support reporting and the level of usage logged in the central wireless controllers.
If assessed objectives are not met in the timeframe outlined what is the plan to sunset this proposal?
If reliable, consistent wireless coverage is not achieved alternate solutions will be pursued.
SIGNATURES
Executive/VP:	Dewitt Latimer (dewitt@montana.edu)