Despite poor attendance by students, computer-based testing and budget cut issues were raised Tuesday during the Student Tech Fee Forum.
 
Student Government President J Hudson and Robert Kuhn, associate vice chancellor of Budget and Planning — both members of the Student Tech Fee Oversight Committee — sat in the SG Senate Chambers on Tuesday in the Student Union to answer questions.
 
The committee members expected a better turnout, but
because of the Chancellor’s Forum, held at the same time, attendance didn’t reach more than 10 students at any point in the forum.
 
Students expressed a negative opinion about computer-based testing, saying it could be overwhelming at times.
 
One student suggested surveying students about which courses are more difficult because of computer testing. Most students at the forum agreed it’s more complicated to take a math-related exam in the Testing Center than on paper.
 
In response to a question about the Student Tech Fee Oversight Committee’s allocation of $1 million to ITS for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 fiscal years, Hudson said it would free up money for the University’s general budget.
 
“Would you rather have your technology enhanced or your academic core?” Hudson said.
 
Kuhn said the Student Tech Fee is supposed to be an enhancement, not a substitution, but in this case it’s a temporary substitution.
Students vocalized the importance of keeping SMARTHINKING, an online tutoring program that can be accessed through PAWS.
At the committee’s meeting Sept. 15, the committee allocated $180,000 to SMARTHINKING. This is a one-time allocation to last the program three years.
 
Kuhn expressed the importance of student input by telling stories of Student Tech Fee projects brainstormed by students, such as the media stations in classrooms and the public access labs. The public access labs were supplied by the Student Tech Fee during its first semester and are still used by students today.
 
Hudson said he plans to present the issues brought up at the forum to the other committee members.
 
“The information that was discussed tonight sets up a great plan of where the tech fee needs to go,” Hudson said. “I truly believe if we continue reaching out to students about this we can increase technology on campus to compete with the best.”
 
 
 
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Contact Celeste Ansley at [email protected]