Oct. 16, 1998
Contact: Carol Wood
(804) 924-6189

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM TO ASSURE ALL UVA STUDENTS 
HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES

	University of Virginia officials announced at its Oct. 10 Board
of Visitors meeting that they are designing a comprehensive student
technology program that builds on the institution's strengths in
innovative instructional technology development, nationally recognized
technology
training and support programs, and high student computer ownership
levels. The program will be designed, in part, to assure all students'
access to technology resources essential to learning.
	U.Va. will expand its Computing Help Desk hours and add
consulting staff to student computing laboratories.  In addition, to
ensure that all students have access to leading-edge machines, the
University will replace each of the 900 computers in its public
laboratories with new computers of a few specific models.  Through the
program, the University will strongly
recommend those models for student purchase and offer a number of
computers for loan to financial aid students. Details of the new student
technology program are being reviewed and refined by student groups and
advisory committees. Review of a related proposal to implement a
similar, voluntary program for faculty and staff also is underway.
	"The technology sophistication level of our students is the envy
of many of our peers," says U.Va. Vice President and Chief Information
Officer Polley A. McClure.  "And U.Va. faculty have been exceptionally
creative in designing technological tools that enhance and complement
the classroom experience.  By providing new kinds of support and by
helping to move faculty and students to similar machines, we will
advance this work to a new level."
	The majority of U.Va. students - 85 percent of undergraduates
and slightly higher proportions of graduate students - own personal
computers. The percentage of undergraduates who own computers has grown
an average of 7 percent during each of the last three years.  If
ownership levels continue to increase at the same rate, nearly all U.Va.
students will own computers in the year 2000.
	
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	New federal regulations will make it easier for college students
to afford computers. Under the terms of the Higher Education
Reauthorization Act, announced last week, any student can write the cost
of a computer into his/her financial aid request. Prior to the changes,
computer costs could only be included if a school required all students
to own computers.							
	"The new University program makes a lot of sense, especially
given the strong ownership levels and the students' great interest in
honing their computer skills during their four years here," says Vice
President for Student Affairs William Harmon.
	University officials are working now to determine a mechanism
for selecting the recommended models.  Students, faculty, and others
will be involved in the decision.  The recommended computers will be
heavily publicized to prospective and incoming students.  U.Va. will
seek to secure competitive financing options for students, including
purchase and lease arrangements, from the chosen computer vendors.
	This fall, the University began charging a $45 annual technology
fee for all students.  Funds from the fee are used exclusively for the
maintenance and enhancement of student-related information technology
projects, such as classroom improvements.

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For more information contact Melinda Church at (804) 924-1432.
Television
reporters should contact the TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.