2004-05 tech fee rises $2

Due to a slight tuition increase next year, students may start to notice more technological advances on campus.

This year, the Student Technology Fee totaled $38 per quarter. The student government has recently approved a raise in next year's fee to $40 per quarter, which will go toward new technology, labs and opportunities on campus.

"The fee has been raised by $2 due to increasing technology need," said Rory McLeod, chair of the Student Technology Fee committee. "One of our main goals for next year is to provide wireless Internet access in many different buildings."

Numerous problems with the Dante modem pool led to the creation of the fee in 1996.

"The focus of the fee is to pay for technology for general student use," said McLeod. "What that is and what it entails changes from year to year."

In the past, the fee has paid for general technology such as the Dante modem pool, the large computer labs in Odegaard Undergraduate Library and Mary Gates Hall and many departmental labs on campus. It has also funded some cutting-edge technological equipment for specific departments.

"Some of this is equipment that the administration wouldn't have been able to pay for," said McLeod. "Through the use of this fee, we've been able to get some high-end equipment that allows students to do some really neat stuff."

Although the technology fee pays for equipment, it is not responsible for on-going costs and upkeep. According to McLeod, the equipment is supposed to last for three years before it is eligible for an update.

"We don't pay for labor, on-going costs or infrastructure," said McLeod. "We have to have a certain relationship with the department or administration that runs it to make sure that they are maintaining the technology that we put in."

This year, the Student Technology Fee committee will be able to spend $3.5 million in student tuition toward technology on campus. Although a large amount, the proposals received from campus departments and organizations total about $7 million.

"We spend hours and hours reviewing and debating proposals throughout winter quarter," said McLeod. "We have to go through and decide where exactly student money should be spent."

According to McLeod, the committee is supposed to represent the interests of the student body, giving the power entirely to the students of UW.

"It's very unique to UW that $3.5 million is put into the hands of students," said McLeod. "It's very cool."