What is a good use of technology in a University?

[Scarpozzi]

I'm trying to brainstorm and figure out what some good uses of technology money for a university campus would be. A good example of the obvious things would be student computer labs, pay-to-print solutions (to keep the lab costs in check), campus-wide wireless B&G access, and id card systems for security(building access) and meal plans.

What are some other good examples? I'm asking because my university is asking for proposals and I'm just trying to come up with things that other places may be doing already that we aren't...

Thanks.

 

[Jawo]

Virginia Tech already has all of that implemented and it rocks!!! All of them are great ideas!

 

[esun]

Those sound like a pretty good set. My university also has all of those (UC Berkeley). Campus-wide wireless should take priority, though, since it's so immensely useful.

 

[Shawn]

My school has all of that as well. One of the really nice things we have are the cameras which display written notes on the huge projector screens. In one lecture hall the screens are about 15ft high.

 

[Futher]

Live Controllable Campus-Cams!

 

[Scarpozzi]

The ones I listed have already been implemented on my campus too. I'm trying to think of new ones.

I've not visited many other campuses lately... I'm just trying to keep up with the competition and help make the campus I attend competitive.

 

[irishScott]

University of Delaware has almost all of that (we're about 86% wireless, and where there's no signal there's typically an Ethernet port ).

All of them kick a$$

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Futher
Live Controllable Campus-Cams!

That's really cool. I don't know if the "controllable" aspect would work out, but having a live feed from the campus would be cool and may help with web marketing. This is the first idea I'll add to the list. If anyone else can think up anything, keep them coming.

 

[Juddog]

Originally posted by: Futher
Live Controllable Campus-Cams!

Damn I was about to say wireless cameras + wireless campus wide, to record security incidents. I have seen those web cams exposed to the outside internet come to err... shady use.

An example the one University had one in their library; it was used to zoom in on uh... more well endowed individuals. Soon it was shut down.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Juddog
An example the one University had one in their library; it was used to zoom in on uh... more well endowed individuals. Soon it was shut down.

If I were to push for that, I would take the controls away. I was thinking about having a webcam setup to overlook the new quad they constructed over the last 8 months. Kind of a marketing technique for the university over their website to show off the new sod.

 

[Childs]

Health Services for the students. Converting library books into electronic text.

 

[spidey07]

Packet shaping to keep costs from skyrocketing.

 

[FleshLight]

Mame cabinets, sofas, 7-11s, automatic doors (for the handicapped!)

 

[her209]

VoIP in campus housing

 

[JS80]

free cell phones on the taxpayers' tab!

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Packet shaping to keep costs from skyrocketing.

We already have some packet shapers.... I'm not sure exactly what their capacities are or whether or not we need anything else in the mix, but networking equipment would definitely be a good addition to the list.

 

[Leros]

My school has all the stuff said above.

Currently we have a webpage where we can go to see what lab computers are open (they also display it on big screens in building entrance). It would be nice if they had a similar website for the washing machines. I'm too lazy to go to the basement of my dorm to check to see if any washers are free.

 

[Oil]

Free software/Vista Ultimate

 

[spidey07]

SSL vpns
IPTelephoney
SAN
802.11a wireless or a secure fast roaming solution with location services to track things and detect/shut down un authorized access points
10 gig ethernet and virtual switching technology
Active scanning to detect unauthorized devices
Security features to prevent students from plugging in switches/hubs/routers/access points, etc.
Content switching for redundancy

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: spidey07
SSL vpns
IPTelephoney
SAN
802.11a wireless or a secure fast roaming solution with location services to track things and detect/shut down un authorized access points
10 gig ethernet and virtual switching technology
Active scanning to detect unauthorized devices
Security features to prevent students from plugging in switches/hubs/routers/access points, etc.
Content switching for redundancy

Don't ban routers. My school doesn't allow them so I bought a switch like they said. But the school blocked the Windows sharing ports. The only way I can transfer files between my desktop and my laptop is with my illegal router.

I don't see why schools would want to ban them anyway.

 

[spidey07]

I specifically like the wireless security systems that actively attack an access point a student brings up. Really cool technology. Not only that but you can locate it to within 5 feet.

The reason they are banned is because they can cause a ton of problems.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: spidey07
SSL vpns
IPTelephoney
SAN
802.11a wireless or a secure fast roaming solution with location services to track things and detect/shut down un authorized access points
10 gig ethernet and virtual switching technology
Active scanning to detect unauthorized devices
Security features to prevent students from plugging in switches/hubs/routers/access points, etc.
Content switching for redundancy

VoIP is probably the greatest advance in ages for univs.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Security Cameras everywhere
Internet filtering software to prevent nonproductive use of campus network
security patrols with latest high tech spec ops gear armed with non lethal weapons
razor wire, motion sensors, automated guns, land mines, etc. to prevent unauthorized entrance to the campus
sharks with lasers on them to slay intruders

<-- went to a private university just outside of Jackson, the locals used to spill in and mug people on their way to night classes or out in the parking lots

Fortunately, I transferred out of that area to a public university in a much nicer city

 

[Mo0o]

--Computer monitoring of washers/driers/showers? so you dont have to walk down to the bathroom or laundry room to check for openings
--Live GPS tracking of campus buses
--Cameras and soundrecording equipment in large lectures
--Campus "cash" that can be used for washers/driers/vending machines through your card

 

[vi edit]

RFID for a complete SSO system (Single Sign On).

- Meal plans
- Dorm access
- Room access
- Logins to PC's
- Clock in's for attendence
- Clock in's for on-campus work
- Access to specific labs/rooms that aren't open for public uses