While executing an eight-building, $157 million construction and renovation project in 2014, officials at Del Mar College in Texas forgot one critical player: the tech expert. Information technology administrators weren’t brought on board until just before the design was finalized. At that point, they had to scramble to integrate technology into a range of facilities—from […]
D enise Swett has seen the same approach from several different companies when it comes to offering academic-planning solutions: Plenty of promises that do not fit the needs students at Foothill College, a community college in Northern California. "Everyone says they're going to solve our retention problems or graduation problems," says Swett, who has a […]
What do you see as today’s biggest challenge in operating a campus mailroom? Is there anything colleges tend to do that makes the problem worse? “One of the biggest problems for campus mailrooms is lack of space! You can hire more workers and buy more software, but it’s practically impossible to get more space. If students […]
After working in an antiquated mailroom in a windowless basement of a dorm, Linda Barrows was thrilled to occupy space in the brand new, centrally located Center for Communication and Creative Media on the campus of Champlain College in Vermont. Her process has been upgraded as much as her digs. In the "old" days, her […]
Future use of unmanned aerial systems, more commonly known as "drones," is limited only by the imagination (and physics). Needless to say, the use of drones for both commercial and private purposes will only increase. This emerging technology provides not only opportunities for colleges, but also headaches. Balancing the benefits—from improved academic curriculum to research […]
Colleges and universities face an increasingly competitive environment for attracting and retaining students. These challenges are further complicated with tighter funding constraints and the need to keep up with the latest technological advancements to remain competitive. Student ID card systems are not immune to these pressures; outdated ID technology can result in increased costs, long […]
The new generation of students and parents has a unique perspective on viewing and paying tuition bills, and a different set of expectations when it comes to the e-commerce options available at their college or university. Understanding and responding to these changing expectations is crucial, not only to remain competitive as an institution, but also […]
A century-old Gothic high school has been transformed into a new biological sciences education and research center as well as the new home for the New Jersey Innovation Institute. The $86 million renovation also supports the New Jersey Institute of Technology's partnerships with the surrounding businesses. The region is home to 15 of the 17 […]
What is the biggest roadblock to effective use of data analytics tools as they relate to student success? “Many view data as a punitive measure to highlight performance flaws when, in reality, analytics tools help identify trends and answer questions about the student experience. Institutions must first address the campus culture surrounding data and demonstrate […]
The internet of things—known in acronym-speak as IoT—seems to be popping up everywhere. Everything is getting connected. Thermostats, fitness bands, voice-controlled assistants, remotely controlled webcams, smartphones, washing machines, autonomous vehicles—the list goes on and on. Gadgets of every shape, size and function connect to the internet to gather and share massive amounts of data. Growth […]