TECH FUND
What is the Tech Fund?
Administered by the Tech Fund Committee, the Tech Fund is a MISC and MUSSA initiative to provide technology equipment to improve the student experience at the iSchool.
What are the funds used for?
The funds are used directly to enhance ICT (information, communication and technology) based learning, research, exhibiting, collecting and administrative services for Masters of Information (MI), Master of Museum Studies (MMSt), and PhD students.
This can mean a number of things, such as purchasing new computers for the Inforum or the newest version of the iPad. We take a broad definition of "enhancing" ICT-based learning, and are always looking for your suggestions. Furthermore, we also purchase items for the student lounge such as furniture, small kitchen-appliances, and cleaning supplies, and fund a number of student-planned events and workshops throughout the academic year.
Where do the funds come from?
iSchool students automatically contribute to the Tech Fund as part of your tuition fees. It appears as a non-academic incidental fee on your tuition invoice in Acorn ("Incid. Stud.Soc.: MISC/MUSSA Tech Levy"). This amount is voted on by Faculty of Information students and subject to change every 2 years. The Provost's office also contributes $50 to the Tech Fund for every full-time student enrolled at the iSchool.
After a referendum in April 2020, full-time Faculty of Information MI, MMSt and CDP students now contribute $20 per academic session, for a total of $40 for the Fall/Winter period (no fee is contributed during the Summer session) (previously $50 per year). Part-time Faculty of Information MI and MMSt students now contribute $10 per academic session, for a total of $20 for the Fall/Winter period (no fee is contributed during the Summer session) (previously $25 per year).
**In light of COVID-19 and given the contributions to the Tech Fund to date, students will not be charged this incidental fee ($20 for full-time students, $10 for part-time students) in Fall 2020 or Winter 2021.**
What kind of equipment is available?
A full list of available equipment is listed on the iSchool website here - laptops, tablets and accessories, adapters and cables, e-book readers, microphones, cameras and tripods, digital projectors, music devices and headphones, extension cords, computer mice, scanners, webcams, and more!
Equipment can be loaned from the Inforum with your Tcard on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability, for 24 hours up to 7 days, depending on the equipment. **Accommodations are being made during COVID-19. Submit your requests for equipment loans via the Request Form in the Virtual Inforum.**
What is the Tech Fund Committee?
The Tech Fund Committee consists of five student members (2 second year MI students, 1 second year MMSt student, 1 first year MI student, 1 first year MMSt student), 1-2 iSchool faculty advisor(s), and an Information Technology (IT) advisor. Each student member is allotted one vote, while the faculty and IT advisors are not allotted voting powers.
The student committee members are responsible for putting forth proposals, purchasing equipment using the Tech Fund, and promoting purchases to the student body. They also are responsible for informing both MUSSA and MISC about Tech Fund purchases, and must receive council approval for purchases exceeding $3,000.
Have a suggestion for new equipment or activities to be funded by the Tech Fund?
If you have requests for new equipment, activities or projects that fall within the Tech Fund mandate, use this online form to submit your idea, or reach out to any one of the student committee members. We would love to hear your ideas and suggestions!
Tech Fund Documents:
Tech Fund Bylaws (updated Feb 2020)
See reports and meeting minutes from previous years.
Administered by the Tech Fund Committee, the Tech Fund is a MISC and MUSSA initiative to provide technology equipment to improve the student experience at the iSchool.
What are the funds used for?
The funds are used directly to enhance ICT (information, communication and technology) based learning, research, exhibiting, collecting and administrative services for Masters of Information (MI), Master of Museum Studies (MMSt), and PhD students.
This can mean a number of things, such as purchasing new computers for the Inforum or the newest version of the iPad. We take a broad definition of "enhancing" ICT-based learning, and are always looking for your suggestions. Furthermore, we also purchase items for the student lounge such as furniture, small kitchen-appliances, and cleaning supplies, and fund a number of student-planned events and workshops throughout the academic year.
Where do the funds come from?
iSchool students automatically contribute to the Tech Fund as part of your tuition fees. It appears as a non-academic incidental fee on your tuition invoice in Acorn ("Incid. Stud.Soc.: MISC/MUSSA Tech Levy"). This amount is voted on by Faculty of Information students and subject to change every 2 years. The Provost's office also contributes $50 to the Tech Fund for every full-time student enrolled at the iSchool.
After a referendum in April 2020, full-time Faculty of Information MI, MMSt and CDP students now contribute $20 per academic session, for a total of $40 for the Fall/Winter period (no fee is contributed during the Summer session) (previously $50 per year). Part-time Faculty of Information MI and MMSt students now contribute $10 per academic session, for a total of $20 for the Fall/Winter period (no fee is contributed during the Summer session) (previously $25 per year).
**In light of COVID-19 and given the contributions to the Tech Fund to date, students will not be charged this incidental fee ($20 for full-time students, $10 for part-time students) in Fall 2020 or Winter 2021.**
What kind of equipment is available?
A full list of available equipment is listed on the iSchool website here - laptops, tablets and accessories, adapters and cables, e-book readers, microphones, cameras and tripods, digital projectors, music devices and headphones, extension cords, computer mice, scanners, webcams, and more!
Equipment can be loaned from the Inforum with your Tcard on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability, for 24 hours up to 7 days, depending on the equipment. **Accommodations are being made during COVID-19. Submit your requests for equipment loans via the Request Form in the Virtual Inforum.**
What is the Tech Fund Committee?
The Tech Fund Committee consists of five student members (2 second year MI students, 1 second year MMSt student, 1 first year MI student, 1 first year MMSt student), 1-2 iSchool faculty advisor(s), and an Information Technology (IT) advisor. Each student member is allotted one vote, while the faculty and IT advisors are not allotted voting powers.
The student committee members are responsible for putting forth proposals, purchasing equipment using the Tech Fund, and promoting purchases to the student body. They also are responsible for informing both MUSSA and MISC about Tech Fund purchases, and must receive council approval for purchases exceeding $3,000.
Have a suggestion for new equipment or activities to be funded by the Tech Fund?
If you have requests for new equipment, activities or projects that fall within the Tech Fund mandate, use this online form to submit your idea, or reach out to any one of the student committee members. We would love to hear your ideas and suggestions!
Tech Fund Documents:
Tech Fund Bylaws (updated Feb 2020)
See reports and meeting minutes from previous years.
