Published: May 12, 2003
Section: BUSINESS, page D1
Source: DEBORAH MARKHAM THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
© 2003- Landmark Communications Inc.

``As you can see, there are students waiting to use it. We promised them they could grab a bite to eat so they wouldn't get too mad,'' said Robin Price, Norfolk State's associate director of Computer Student Services, who also served as the project's manager. It's easy to see why the students waited for the new lab to open rather than go elsewhere on campus for computer access. The open access/instructional lab, which informally opened in early April, has 57 Compaq Pentium 4 computer stations with flat-screen monitors and student applications that are part of the class curriculum. Each workstation has a floppy disk and CD-ROM reader-writer drive for saving information.

The lab is the first to be renovated using a three-year, $280,000 state seat-management contract with DynTek Inc., a technology and business process solutions company in Richmond. Norfolk State is the first university to plug in to the statewide information technology outsourcing program.

Called ``seat management,'' and also known as ``desktop management outsourcing,'' the program allows public entities to operate each computer workstation by leasing the computers, software and support services from contracted companies.

The federal government initiated a seat management program in 1998, and Virginia kicked off its own program in 2000. DynTek was one of three ``technology partners'' selected by the state to deliver its seat management program to state agencies and institutions.

Although the University of Virginia participated in a pilot effort, Norfolk State is the first university to participate in Virginia's seat management program since it was implemented. It's also the first state entity in Hampton Roads to take part in the program.

Norfolk State's contract covers all the hardware - desktops, servers, printers and projector - as well as service response. It also includes the installation expense and disposal fees.

DynTek subcontracted Electronic Systems, headquartered in Virginia Beach, for support services; James River Communications Inc. of Henrico County for wiring solutions; and Hewlett Packard for the hardware.

A total cost ownership study indicated that it would be more efficient for the college to own rather than lease equipment, said S. Faye Monroe, the university's assistant vice president for technology.

Because the study was created more with state agencies in mind rather than academic institutions, Monroe said, Norfolk State customized the program around its needs, such as three- to four-year refresh rates for computer upgrades as well as recycling needs. It can cost, for instance, up to $400 to properly dispose of a computer.

``We like to stay current with our technology,'' Monroe said. ``That is one of the things students look at when picking a college these days.''

Students subsidize the technology too. Norfolk State's tuition includes a fee - the approved 2003 fiscal year semester rate was $15 per semester for full-time undergraduates and $12 for full-time graduate students.

``These are your technology fees at work,'' said Price, addressing the students during the grand-opening celebration.

E'ryc Barnes, Norfolk State's student government president, also promised the crowd that the students would get their money's worth from the lab.

``We can assure you we will be using it a whole lot,'' he said.

Norfolk State, which plans to renovate four more labs and create two through the contract, will break ground this summer on another lab between the Twin Towers, the university's two 11-story dormitories at the west end of the campus.

In the meantime, the Office of Technology is keeping tabs on the first lab through the fall to determine if seat management is cost-effective. If not, the college can buy the equipment at the end of the three-year contract period. Right now, Monroe said, results on the first lab are looking good.

Reach Deborah Markham at 446-2033 or deborah.markham(AT)pilotonline.com

Norfolk State University entered into a three-year, $280,000 seat-management contract to renovate the computer lab at the Lyman Beecher Brooks Library. Norfolk State, which plans to renovate four more labs and create two others through the contract, will break ground this summer on another one. (Photos by Mark Mitchell)

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MARK MITCHELL/THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Demetria Whigham work at one of the computer stations ...
Photos MARK MITCHELL/THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

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