G-1 External Grants and Contracts
1.1 Approvals/Routing Sheet
Faculty members applying for external grants that involve institutional commitments
should see the end of this section or the Provost's office for the appropriate
"routing sheet." It is advisable to circulate a preliminary version
of the routing sheet with brief proposal in advance--to avoid risk and possibly
to gain information that could enhance a proposal's chances for funding.
The purpose of the routing sheet is to ensure that the proposal is in line
with the institutional mission and policies, to assure the faculty member
proposing the grant that institutional support will be forthcoming if the
proposal is successful, and to be sure appropriate accounting procedures
are in place.
No routing of proposal is required for internal Faculty Development Grants
or for grants and fellowships that go directly to individual faculty members
and do not involve institutional commitments. The Dean should, however,
be made aware of such proposals.
1.2 Research and Teaching Commitments
UHV is primarily a teaching institution. All faculty members teach.
No positions are committed solely or even predominantly to research.
However, all tenured and tenure-track faculty members are expected to maintain
research agendas and to contribute to the intellectual life of their disciplines.
The balance between teaching and research is determined in part by the institution
and in part by the faculty member. The standard teaching load is 12
credit hours per semester, plus research and service. However, faculty
members may request or academic schools may require a reassignment of three
equivalent teaching-load credits to research during one or each semester.
In such cases, the faculty may not carry a full summer teaching load and
must produce and seek to publish research findings. The school deans
are responsible for monitoring productivity. Faculty member may indicate
the relative weightings to be placed on teaching, research, and service in
their annual performance evaluations (see sections E-7.4 and 7.5).
There is a minimum weighting for each category, and schools may set a higher
minimum, e.g., in the case of a faculty member with teaching-load credits
reassigned to research.
Past performance and future promise in teaching, research, and service are
routinely considered in mandatory third-year reviews, and post-tenure reviews
(section E).
Board of Regents policy supports freedom in teaching and research (see section
D-1.1).
1.3 Reassigned Time and Faculty Salaries
Grants and contracts, whether related to research, instruction, or service,
do not alter the above provisions with regard to faculty workload, compensation,
and the balance between teaching and research activities. However,
a faculty member may be reassigned temporarily for the duration of a grant
project to engage in relevant research, assessment, or administrative activities.
In such cases, the following provisions apply:
-
Reassignment requires the agreement of the faculty member and the institution.
-
The reassignment is for a specific period.
-
The reassignment may not be full time (i.e., precluding any teaching
responsibilities), unless the faculty member takes a leave of absence.
-
Time assigned to the grant project is charged to the grant.
-
The faculty member's salary remains the same as that stipulated in
the annual salary letter for a full-time teaching assignment.
-
Summer salaries
paid from grant funds are subject to the same provisions that apply to summer
teaching.
-
With regard to supplementation of faculty salaries from grants and
contracts, the university subscribes to the statement of the Committee on
Sponsored Research of the American Council of Education, as reproduced below
and also in section F-2.5 of this Manual).
Updated:
Summer 2005
1.4 Salary Supplementation from Research Funds
or External Grants
(Also covered under F-2.5)
The university has adopted the following policy on the supplementation of
faculty salaries from research contract
or external grants.
This policy is based on a statement of the Committee
on Sponsored Research of the American Council of Education, which reads in
part as follows:
. . . universities should avoid extra compensation (compensation
above the full-time base
salary) for work on special projects during the academic year. The
base university salary
should include compensation for all university duties (for example, teaching,
research,
administration, intra-university consulting). Exceptions to this rule
should be made only
for very compelling reasons and in unusual cases.
Faculty members whose compensation includes funds from external
grants administered by the university may not exceed 100% of
their
annualized salary. This provision includes
compensation for assisting grant projects directed by other UHV
employees, unless under justifiable circumstances as
allowed by the grantor and approved by the dean or supervising
administrator. Faculty members are free to serve as paid
consultants or evaluators, as well as in other capacities, on
grant projects administered by other institutions, so long as
they comply with Board of Regents' policies governing conflicts
of interest, disclosures, and external compensation (See
Faculty Manual F-3).
Updated:
Summer 2005
1.5 Objects of Expense
Direct costs:
-
The salaries of staff hired to work on grant projects are charged
to grant funds unless part of a matching provision. The appointments
do not exceed the duration of the grant project.
-
Fringe benefits are also charged to grant funds.
-
Reimbursement for any travel is subject to established university
and/or sponsor policy.
-
Equipment and supplies are charged to the grant, unless part of a
matching provision.
-
Other direct costs such as duplicating, long-distance calls, postage,
or printing are charged to the grant.
Consultative services:
Though part of direct costs, consultative services require particular attention.
University employees may not serve as consultants to the university or to
projects in which the university is acting as fiscal agent. If external
consultants are allowed by the sponsor and are hired on grant funds, the
PI must certify that a selection process took place in accord with state
and UH System requirements. As noted above, modest stipends may be
paid to faculty or other employees who are providing specified assistance
to a grant project, insofar as such practice accords with policies of the
university and the grantor.
Indirect costs:
Indirect cost recovery is used to reimburse the university for grant-related
expenses involving office space, computers, utilities, maintenance services,
administrative services, etc. The indirect cost rate may be specified
by the sponsor or negotiated by the university.
Indirect cost recovery is normally split three ways among the PI, the PI's
academic school, and the office of Administration and Finance. However,
alternatives are possible, as agreed by the parties involved.
Matching funds and approval process:
The university must explicitly agree to all cost sharing provisions in advance.
As indicated above (G-1.1), a routing sheet, containing key information and
signatures of approval, must be completed for each grant proposal.
Proposal writers are encouraged to submit a preliminary copy of the routing
sheet before committing time to the development of the full grant proposal.
Form:
External Grant Proposal Routing Sheet
G-2 Faculty Development and Research Grants
There are two institution-wide sources of funds to support faculty research
and dissemination of results.
-
The Faculty Development fund is provided by a now mature endowment
begun about 1990. This fund provides travel support for conference
presentations and stipends for publications.
-
The Faculty Research fund is provided by a small, recently initiated
endowment, supplemented by an institutional allocation.
In both cases, the amount of funding available from year to year depends
on the growth of the endowment, investment returns, and the payout percentage,
which has ranged from 4 to 5 percent.
An additional source of funding is provided through allocations to the academic
school to support professional-development activities of school faculty,
such as submission and subvention fees for publications and attendance at
conferences and workshops.
Limitations, criteria, and procedures with regard to all funding sources
may vary from year to year, depending on funds available and institutional
priorities.
2.1 Purpose
Faculty Development and Research grants are intended to further the educational
mission of the university by contributing to faculty members' ongoing professional
development, to the advancement of knowledge in their fields and profession,
and to the visibility and credibility of the university.
2.2 Criteria
Projects funded are to be congruent with the institutional mission and to
have reasonably direct relation to institutional goals, priorities, clienteles,
and constituencies.
More specifically, a project should aim for one or more of the following
results and should address the question of how such results will be evidenced.
2.3 Activities
The following list is comprehensive but not exhaustive.
-
Travel to professional conferences for the purpose of making a presentation.
Serving as a panelist or conducting a session that the faculty member has
organized may qualify. Serving as a chair or recorder does not.
Invited presentations do not qualify unless for an established professional
conference.
-
Recognition awards for first-author publication of scholarly
works, with funds to be used for professional expenses of the faculty member's
choosing. Publication must identify the author as a UHV faculty member.
Requests should be made following publication and during the same fiscal/academic
year. Proof of publication must be provided.
-
Small research projects. Requests may include supplies, equipment,
postage, and assistance. Travel to conduct research off-campus sites
may be allowable to a limited extent for research that cannot be conducted
locally. Requests may not include faculty stipends or conference travel.
(Please note that subvention of publication fees and article submission/review
fees are no longer covered by these funds. Members should apply to
their school for reimbursements.)
2.4 Eligibility
-
Continuing full-time faculty members and professional librarians
are eligible up to the established limitations.
-
Other faculty members on contract for the academic year are eligible
up to the established limitations—or a proportional amount if they are less
than full time.
-
School Deans are eligible but should absent themselves from the Council
when their request is considered.
-
Administrators are not ordinarily eligible for Faculty Development
Grants.
2.5 Limitations
The total annual limit from both faculty development and research funds per
faculty member is $2,600
-
Faculty Development Grants are limited to a total of $1,300
per individual per year.
-
Documentation of acceptance
of a conference presentation must be provided with the request.
-
Recognition awards for publication
count toward the $1,300 and are limited to $600 per year. Articles must be refereed. Books or monographs must be by respected publishers
of scholarly or professional works. Documentation of publication must
be provided with the request.
-
Faculty Research grants are also limited to a total of $1,300 per individual
per year, and must be expended during the fiscal year for which they are
awarded. They require a description of proposed
objectives, research design, budget, and prospects for publication or presentation.
-
Approximately one-third of funds available will ordinarily be held
for spring/summer proposals.
-
Grant funds budgeted each year from the Faculty Development and Research
accounts will be determined by the Academic Council with appropriate consultation.
Limitations on funding could result in rejection or partial funding of a
proposal at any time during the year. The Council reserves the right
to establish priorities on the basis of reasonable criteria.
Updated: Spring 2007
Notes:
-
Any software purchases
for research must be requested through the school's
administration and the UHV purchasing department.
Please check with your school secretary before making a
software purchase.
-
Research assistance
must be approved in advance from the school's
administration. Please check with your school
secretary before engaging research help.
-
Research travel
must be requested through the school's administration in
advance of travel and a travel request issued. Please
check with your school secretary before traveling.
-
Research grant
expenses must be expended during the fiscal year for
which they are awarded.
As of Fall 2006
2.6 Deadlines and Submissions
Requests should be submitted a few days prior to the next Academic Council
meeting for consideration at that meeting. The Council usually meets
every other week. All Faculty Development Conference requests should be
submitted prior to the conference start date.
Requests for expenditures to be incurred during the fiscal year (which ends
August 31) should be submitted by July 1. Requests for conference travel
or other activities occurring during the next fiscal year will be considered
against that year's budget.
2.7 Reports
-
Research
-
Research grant reports should
describe the results and potential for publication or application.
In case of a publication resulting from funded research, a copy should be
sent to the Library for inclusion in the UHV Archives. (The Library
would like to receive copies of all scholarly publications by UHV faculty
members.)
Form:
Faculty Development Grant for Conference Presentation and Publication
Updated: Summer 2008
G-3 Summer Research Grants
This category of internal grants (also called "Summer Sabbaticals") was eliminated
in 2001-2002. See below for a description of regular sabbatical leaves.
G-4 Faculty Development Leave (Sabbatical)
Development leave programs for faculty members of state institutions of higher
learning are authorized by Sections 51.102-51.108 of the Texas Education
Code. At such time as the general appropriation for salaries shall
include an amount sufficient to cover the salaries necessary to meet the
teaching requirements of the campus plus salaries to cover faculty development
leaves, the President, upon approval of the Chancellor, will take steps to
activate the authorized program and will, at such time, indicate by announcement
to the faculty that the program is in effect.
4.1 Purpose
The purpose of the Faculty Development Leave program is expressed in Section
51.102 of the Texas Education Code as follows:
The legislature's purpose in establishing the Faculty Development
Leave program provided for by this act is to improve further the higher education
available to the youth at the state-supported colleges and universities and
to establish this program of Faculty Development Leave as part of the plan
of compensation for the faculty of these colleges and universities.
4.2 Basic Legal Provisions
The basic limitations for administering the program are summarized as follows:
-
Those eligible for Faculty Development Leave are full-time members
of the faculty, including professors and instructors, and full-time members
of the professional staff who are not included in the staff compensation
plan. They must have been employed by the Victoria campus for a minimum of
five consecutive academic years. Eligibility requirements need not include
assignment to teaching. Hereinafter, the term "faculty member" will
be used to refer to all those eligible for Faculty Development Leave.
-
Leave may be granted for one academic year at half salary or for
one-half year at full salary.
-
A faculty member on Faculty Development Leave may accept a grant
for study, research, or travel from any institution of higher education;
from a charitable, religious, or educational corporation or foundation; or
from any federal, state or local government; but may not accept employment
of any kind unless specifically approved by the Board of Regents.
-
A faculty member on Faculty Development Leave is a faculty member
for purposes of participating in the program and of receiving the benefits
made available by or through the UHV or the state to faculty members. During
the Faculty Development Leave, the university will continue all deductions
from compensation relevant to such participation and benefits.
-
No more than six percent of the faculty members of the Victoria
campus may be on Faculty Development Leave at any one time.
-
The Board of Regents will establish procedures for administration
of the program and will grant leaves upon recommendation of the Chancellor,
who will receive recommendations of applications from the President, following
appropriate review procedures.
4.3 Interpretations and Applications
-
The campus will interpret the term "one academic year" to mean
the nine-month period made up of two long semesters. The term "one-half
year" will be taken to mean one long semester. If leave is granted
for one-half academic year at full salary, the semester for which leave is
granted will be the corresponding period defined as a semester by the calendar
under which the campus is operating at the time.
-
Faculty Development Leave will not be granted for the summer semesters.
-
Questions concerning eligibility will be referred to the President.
-
Award of a Faculty Development Leave will be contingent upon the
recipient signing a legal agreement to continue service at the campus for
one academic year after completion of the leave.
4.4 Selection Procedures
-
The Faculty Council will select a Committee on Faculty Development
Leave each year, as may be appropriate.
-
As the level of the program will be limited by the level of appropriations
for faculty salaries over and above the total for salaries necessary to meet
the teaching requirements of the campus, the President, having determined
the availability of funds, will inform the Faculty Development Leave Committee
as to the number of applications for leave which may be considered for any
particular period.
4.5 Selection Criteria
In evaluating individual requests for development leaves, the committee should
consider:
-
The total number of years of academic or professional service at
the University of Houston-Victoria. (Sections 51.101-51.108 of the
Texas Education Code require a minimum of two years.)
-
Contributions to academic or professional discipline.
4.6 Implementation Procedures
-
Two Faculty Development Leaves will be made available each year,
assuming available funding and assuming one of them is a year-long sabbatical
at half pay.
-
The options are for fall or spring semester at full-pay or for
fall and spring semesters at half pay.
-
Eligibility requirements:
1. The applicant must have served at least
five consecutive academic years at UHV.
2. The recipient must sign a legally binding agreement
to continue service for at least one academic year after the assignment has
been completed.
3. Eligibility will be limited to tenured faculty members,
unless the President grants a specific exception.
4. Once a faculty member has received a Faculty Development
Leave, the member will not be again eligible till the seventh academic year
following the one in which the assignment was made (e.g., a member on assignment
in 1990-91 would be eligible again in 1997-98).
-
The Chair of the Faculty Council is to appoint a committee of
three tenured faculty members, none of whom may be applicants, to review
proposals and to make recommendations to the Provost, who will in turn make
recommendations to the President. The President will make the award.
-
Proposals should include the following information in the following
format:
1. Name, school, teaching field, and
date of initial full-time faculty appointment at UHV.
2. Period for which leave is sought.
3. Description of the activity to be undertaken, where
it will take place, and its relevance to the applicant's responsibilities
at UHV.
4. Explanation of how the activity will contribute to the
applicant's professional development, benefit the university in ways worthy
of the support extended, and advance scholarly or pedagogical knowledge.
-
Recipients of a Faculty Development Leave may not work for
compensation during their leave. Exceptions would include approved
grants and fellowships or half-time appointments concurrent with a full year's
leave at half pay.
-
Within three months following completion of the assignment,
the faculty member is to provide a report to the Provost describing the activities
undertaken and assessing their value to the faculty member, profession,
institution, and students served.
-
Deadlines: Proposals for the next academic year should
be submitted by the first class day in December. Requests for year-long
sabbaticals may be submitted by the advanced deadline of May 1 for the academic
year after the next. The advanced deadline is for faculty who are seeking
grants, fellowships, or other support and who need confirmation of institutional
commitment.
G-5 Leaves of Absence Without Pay
(UH Board of Regents 13.06)
The Board delegates to the Chancellor or his designee the authority to grant
extended leaves of absence to employees of the System. Leaves may be
granted for such purposes as research and writing, education, other personal
development, or extended illness, according to System guidelines. Leaves
will be limited in duration to 12 months.
Unless otherwise provided by state law or agreement between the university
and the employee, the following apply to leaves of absence and shall be clearly
communicated to all faculty and staff:
-
Seniority is not interrupted but pay increases and associated
benefits are;
-
Group insurance may be continued by advance payment of full
premiums by the employee;
-
Teacher Retirement and Optional Retirement programs are suspended
unless provided by another eligible employer;
-
Social Security coverage ceases unless the employee is covered
by the employer;
-
Vacation and sick leave do not accrue;
-
Funds cannot be withdrawn from Teacher Retirement and Optional
Retirement programs;
-
If required by state law, all accrued paid leave entitlements
must be exhausted; sick leave is included only if the employee is eligible
for sick leave;
-
Leaves will be limited in duration to 12 months; and
-
Exceptions to these provisions may be granted for such reasons
as interagency agreements or educational purposes.
G-6 Research Fund Application and Proposal Forms
It is the policy of the UHV to foster research by all of its faculty and
to encourage faculty to acquire funds in support of research from both public
and private agencies. Refer to the following forms--
Form:
UHV Faculty Development Grant for Research
Others:
Example of an Internal Research Proposal
Research Grant Tracking Chart
G-7 Protection of Human Subjects Policy and Procedures
While UHV has a freestanding Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects
(CPHS) which reviews research conducted under the auspices of UHV, the guidelines
used by this committee are identical to those used by University of Houston
campus. The Human Subjects Policies and Procedures for Research, available on the web and from the Provost's office, indicates when
research needs to be cleared by the CPHS, what forms need to be filled out,
and what guidelines assure research participant safety. This policy
guide should clear up most of those questions. If, after reading it,
there are still questions, contact the Provost or CPHS Chair.
There are several important issues regarding research involving human subjects
at UHV, which are discussed as follows:
1. Why do we need a committee for the
protection of human subjects?
First of all, it is a federal regulation. The OPRR, the federal body which
governs research using human subjects, states that any institution that does
not have a CPHS meeting federal guidelines in its structure and function
can be sanctioned by losing any and all federal funds, including all student
financial aid funds. (This sanction can be imposed simply because the committee
does not exist, or does not function according to guidelines--not only when
research participants are actually mistreated or harmed.)
Second of all, basic ethical principles beginning with the Nuremberg Code
all point to the necessity of minimizing any possibility of harm to research
participants. Section 1.1 Historical Background of the Human Subjects
Policies and Procedures for Research outline the history of the CPHS system.
2. What are the principles that guide research with human
subjects?
These principles are outlined in Section 1.2 Codes of
Research Ethics of the Human Subjects Policies and
Procedures for Research. The first is that there is no distinction
between research conducted by faculty, staff, or students, on-campus or off-campus
research, funded vs. unfunded research: all need to meet the same ethical
guidelines for treatment of human subjects. (Therefore, student research
using human subjects also needs to be reviewed by the CPHS.) However,
class projects that are being conducted solely for the purpose of earning
a grade that involve collecting data from human subjects will not require
a review by CPHS. However, instructors are responsible for insuring that
these students comply with the Human Subjects Policies and Procedures for
Research. If the student is conducting a thesis project
or a project that may involve future publication or outside formal presentation
of the results, the student must have approval from the CPHS. As a
safeguarding procedure, instructors may choose to require all of their students
to submit human subjects research proposals to CPHS regardless of the purpose
of the research.
Also important is the necessity to obtain informed consent from all subjects
unless this requirement is specifically waived by the CPHS. Informed
consent forms need to meet particular guidelines as well: located in section
5.3 General Requirements of a Consent Form and section
5.6 Documenting the Subjects Consent with a Consent
form. However, the forms are not enough in themselves:
Informed consent is considered a process in which the researcher actually
discusses each issue with the potential subject.
One more specific point about informed consent: If the research participant
is under 18, written parental consent must be obtained unless waived by the
CPHS. (See section 5.11 Children and Adolescents of the policies
and procedures for a discussion of this requirement
and for relevant examples of forms.) Furthermore, the child's
assent must be obtained: In other words, the child must freely agree to participate.
Probably the most important idea is that the welfare of the subject must
be assured, and the individual's rights must not be infringed, and that the
individual abdicates no rights by becoming a research participant.
Any inherent risks to the individual, no matter how small or unlikely, need
to be weighed against the importance of the knowledge to be obtained, and
the direct benefits to the research participant. Researchers also need to
have a plan for handling the situation if the potential harm actually arises.
3. Does every single piece of research have to undergo
continuing CPHS review?
There are six categories of research that are considered "exempt" from continuing
CPHS review at UHV (Section 4.5 Administrative Review for Exempt Status). However, please note that
even these studies need to be initially reviewed by the CPHS. These
types of research, once initially reviewed and categorized as "exempt," can
simply be conducted without having to be reviewed and renewed yearly by the
CPHS. Furthermore, they are eligible for an "expedited review" (Section
4.4 Expedited Review). Briefly, those categories are as follows
(Section 4.5 Administrative Review for Exempt Status):
a. Research conducted in established
educational settings involving normal educational practices.
b. Research involving the use of educational test, survey
procedures, interview procedures, or observation of public behavior IF: Information
is gathered in such a way that NO data can be linked with any individual's
identity, disclosure of information gathered cannot place individuals at
risk, AND participants are all over 18.
c. Research involving the use of educational tests, survey
procedures, interviews, or observation of public behavior which uses elected
or appointed public officials (or candidates for public office), OR when
federal statues require that confidentiality will be maintained throughout
the study. (I believe this second phrase refers to a federal "contract" of
sorts that can be signed and notarized to ensure that not even a subpoena
can result in a breach of confidential information. This "contract" has apparently
been upheld by the Supreme Court, and is extremely infrequently permitted.
Thus far I have only heard of it used in federally-funded studies on genetic
disease risks. Neither researchers nor the CPHS can simply create such a
contract: it must be negotiated with and provided by the federal government.)
d. Research involving the collection of archival data from
public sources, and which is recorded in such a way that subjects cannot
be identified directly or indirectly.
e. Research programs conducted by or under the review of
department or agency heads which are designed to examine public benefit programs.
f. Taste and food quality studies, and consumer acceptance
studies, as long as "wholesome food without additives" is used, and all food
used is determined to be safe by certain branches of the federal government.
4. How do I submit a study for
review by CPHS?
First, determine whether your study meets the criteria for expedited review.
Second, fill out a form, available from the Provost's office. Third,
submit the proposal to the CPHS well in advance of the date you wish to begin
your research. You must get CPHS approval before beginning a study,
not during or after. If a study which needs CPHS approval is discovered
to have begun without first being cleared, that research program can be terminated.
Please remember that if OPRR finds that UHV is noncompliant with its CPHS
requirements, the sanctions will apply to the entire institution, including
the students.
As OPRR sees it, the need to protect any human participant is paramount,
ethically and legally. The consequences to UHV and its students can
be quite serious if we do not follow federal guidelines.
Form:
Application for Use of Human Subjects Form
Link:
UH
Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects
For additional information:
B-4.3 Human Subjects
Committee
Changes in UH Human Subjects Policies and
Procedures for Research updated February 2006
Updated: Fall 2006
G-8 Taking Course Work for Credit
Faculty intending to take courses for credit at UHV or other institutions
should apprise their School Dean. In no case should a faculty member
carrying a full workload take more than six-credit hours of course work in
one semester. Although the university encourages further learning in
one's field and expansion of knowledge beyond it, such efforts must be balanced
in relation to teaching and other institutional responsibilities. Taking
courses from colleagues at the university should be undertaken with due care
and consideration, since conflicts of interest, questions of credibility
regarding academic and personnel decisions, and awkward situations can attend
such arrangements. Faculty are advised to discuss these concerns with
the instructor before taking a course.
G.9 Instructional Technology
9.1 Guide to Resources and Planning
The following is a guide to resources and services that are available. Similar
resources exist at the UH System teaching centers but are shared by the participating
institutions and may be configured somewhat differently.
-
Campus faculty members are assigned desktop computers
and printers, with Internet access. A limited number of laptops are
available for checkout. Several members have purchased their own laptops.
Laptops may be an alternative to a desktop, if requested and approved.
Off-campus faculty are assigned laptops and related equipment--unless they
prefer desktops.
-
All classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors,
and many, with TV/VCRs. The overhead projectors bear the number of the room
to which they have been assigned. If repairs are needed, notify the
Information Technology Help Desk and School Secretary.
-
Four rooms are currently equipped with interactive
TV--one in University West and three in University Center.
-
Computer carts with LCD projectors are available for
general use.
-
Ceiling mounted LCD projectors are installed in some
classrooms for use with laptops or other computers.
-
Computer carts are also available at the Fort Bend
center, and ceiling mounted LCD projectors are available in some rooms.
-
A limited number of “Smart Boards” are available and
are normally assigned to given rooms.
-
The ITV infrastructure is maintained by UH’s Information
Technology (IT). Room set up, line connections, and instructional assistance
are provided by the UHV’s Information Technology.
-
Online capability is provided through collaborative
efforts on campus and in the UH System. Technical support is provided
by UH’s IT and UHV’s IT. The course management system is provided by
the vendor, WebCT. All UHS institutions have agreed to support WebCT,
along with any additional vendors they choose. Initial training is
provided through UHS CampusNet, and additional workshops and assistance are
provided through UHV. Ongoing assistance is in place as follows:
--Technical support: Information Technology
--Instructional design support (WebCT, html, etc.): Instructional Support
Services
--Resource support: Library
--Course management support: Academic Schools
--Information Technology: All installed
or classroom--specific equipment, including computer labs, ITV rooms, ceiling-mounted
LCD projectors and screens, mounted TV/VCRs, smart boards, and overhead projectors.
Information Technology also schedules the use of LCD/computer carts.
--Library - Media Library in University Center: Videos, tapes, and
portable instructional equipment for checkout.
--Academic schools: The schools may have some equipment that is available
to faculty of the school.
-
Computer carts with LCDs are stored on the 2nd
floor of University West and are available for checkout. Faculty members
have to get the equipment and return it to the storage room. Returns
should be done promptly to avoid inconveniencing colleagues.
-
A limited number of portable LCDs and laptop computers
are available for use off-campus and as backups.
-
TV/VCRs and LCD projectors are being installed
as possible in the classrooms that do not already have them. At least
one TV cart will be retained for backup use and use in conference/ seminar
rooms.
-
A slide projector and carousel is available in
the Media Library on a checkout basis.
-
The Library has installed technology that enables
students and faculty to access films from campus computers by notifying the
Media Library in University Center.
-
Overhead projectors are periodically examined,
repaired as necessary, and redistributed, one to each classroom. If
borrowed, they should be returned. If in need of repair, please let
Information Technology or the School Secretary know.
-
Telephones will eventually be installed in each
classroom, so that technology problems can be reported immediately--as well
as for emergency purposes.
-
Instructional Support Services is now monitoring
classroom technology to ensure functionality and report repairs needed.
Quick List of Instructional Technology Resources:
The following provides a quick view of instructional technology available
and procedures for using it. Training is available periodically from
Information Technology (IT) in such packages as PowerPoint, and individual
assistance is available for the use of ITV and other equipment on an appointment
basis.
|
Kind of
Equipment
|
Responsibility
|
Procedure
|
|
Computer labs
|
Information Technology
|
Schedule through the Academic
Computing Services Manager or IT
|
|
Interactive TV rooms
|
Information Technology
|
Schedule through the Academic
Computing Services Manager or IT; 3 rooms available
|
|
TV/VCR
|
Information Technology
|
Installed in most, soon in all,
classrooms
|
|
Overhead projectors
|
Information Technology
|
Should be available in all classrooms;
return if moved
|
|
Ceiling-mounted LCDs
|
Information Technology
|
Installed in some rooms; computer
needed for operating
|
|
LCD projector/computer cart
|
Information Technology
|
Call IT to reserve; get combination
|
|
Smart Boards
|
Information Technology
|
Normally assigned to given rooms.
If needed elsewhere, see the Academic Computing Services Manager
|
|
Videos
|
Media Library
|
Contact Media Library
|
|
Laptop computers
|
Media Library
|
Check out from Media Library
|
|
Portable LCD projectors
|
Media Library
|
Check out from Media Library
|
|
Slide projectors
|
Media Library
|
Check out from Media Library
|
|
Cameras (as available)
|
Media Library
|
Check out from Media Library
|
|
TV/VCR cart
|
Information Technology
|
Schedule through the Academic
Computing Services Manager or IT
|
9.2 Software Purchases
Each year questions arise
about whether IT or the school or other unit is responsible for
funding given types of software. In principle there has
been a fairly consistent understanding:
-
IT is responsible for
funding standard software needed for instruction,
administration, and general faculty research.
-
Schools and
administrative units are responsible for funding software
more or less distinctive to the needs of a given function or
individual.
In practice, the principle
does not always work so well, because of differing
interpretations of what should be considered standard, etc., and
because institutional budgeting has seldom addressed unique
needs. Indeed, such needs may not be known when budges are
being developed.
The issue is not so much who
pays, but rather how should we go about identifying the needs,
where we should budget funds available for meeting the needs,
and how we can ensure orderly and timely processing of purchase
requests.
The following process is
intended to address those questions.
-
Schools and other units
should identify any unique needs early in the spring
semester--to the extent possible.
-
These should be shared
with IT so that we do not unduly duplicate request during
budget preparation. (Such requests should include only
significant expenses, not minor purchases that could be
covered out of regularly budgeted M&O).
-
Insofar as possible, the
needs should be prioritized, or at least the urgency of any
given need should be made clear.
-
As agreed upon, either IT
or the school/unit should carry the request to the budget
hearings.
-
A modest contingency for
instructional and research software is budgeted in the
Provost's office, since it is impossible to know what the
needs of incoming new faculty members may be. If a
portion of the contingency should remain unspent, it lapses
and becomes part of funds available for the next year.
IT Support Software Guide:
www.uhv.edu/it/forms/supported_software.asp
Summer 2006
9.3 Instructional Technology Grants
The following are the guidelines governing the awarding of grants for faculty
who put courses online. The effective date of these guidelines is the
beginning of the fall semester 2004.
1. Grants of $3,000
are available for full-time faculty
members developing their first fully online course, and of $1,500 for continuing
part-time faculty members developing their first online course. No
grants for developing partially online courses will be awarded.
2.
Grants of $2,000 are available for full-time faculty
members developing their second or third fully online course, and of $1,000
for continuing part-time faculty members developing their second or third
fully online course. The total number of grants to any individual faculty
member is three.
3. Stipends of $500
are available for faculty members
attending their initial UH System training session, which has traditionally
been held each May (COW).
Note:
If another faculty member has already received a grant for putting
a particular course fully online, awarding a grant to a faculty member developing
the same course again is at the discretion of the Dean and Provost.
Form:
Instructional Technology Award Form
Updated: Summer 2005
