The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Scorecard
October 2001

EDUCAUSE has developed an online "Guide to Evaluating Information Technology on Campus." This Online Guide is designed to help students and parents ask the right questions to match their educational and social needs and financial capabilities with the information technology resources available at colleges and universities. The Online Guide lists basic questions in four areas: Academic Experience, Administrative Experience, Social Experience, and Requirements, Services and Costs.

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is pleased to present this online "Scorecard" with specific campus information for each of the questions posed in the EDUCAUSE Online Guide.

What percentage of campus courses use electronic information to enhance the course (for example, syllabi, reading lists, discussion groups, demonstrations)?

In a 2001 survey, 71% of UW Oshkosh faculty reported they required students to use e-mail, 69% reported they required students to use Web resources as part of their course work, and 29% reported they had created specific Web pages for their courses.

Are technology resources available, used effectively to enhance the learning experience, and designed to prepare graduates in your major for successful technology use in their careers?

At UW Oshkosh technology is infused into all components of the curriculum. The University recognizes that computer competencies are essential for all graduates in today's highly technical workforce.

What library resources are available online (catalog, databases, special collections)?

The University's Forrest R. Polk Library catalog is available online. The library provides online access to numerous electronic databases and over 2,000 online journals with full-text articles. The Library also provides online access to special collections in the University Archives. Students can easily move from the campus library catalog to search the catalogs of all other University of Wisconsin campuses as well as online library catalogs worldwide. Electronic Reserves are also available. Students can also access their personal library information online.

What electronic reference materials are licensed and how accessible are they from outside the library (for example, in the residence halls and off-campus)?

Polk Library licenses numerous electronic databases, more than 2,000 electronic journals with full-text articles, and thousands of e-books. All these electronic resources are available anywhere on campus on computers with an Internet (Web) connection, including the Residence Halls and general access computer labs. Most of these electronic resources are also available off-campus. The Library provides online access to these electronic resources by subject or by title, and indicates which resources are also available off-campus.

How does the campus help students develop computer skills?

The campus maintains computer teaching labs where faculty provide students with training in computer skills as part of discipline-specific coursework. In addition, the Presentations Lab is a multimedia lab for students that features many services not available in the general access labs, such as CD burning, high end scanning, video editing, and color printing. Students also have access to many online Web-based training modules for basic and advanced software programs.

Does the campus allow students to receive credit for courses taken electronically from other sources?

Yes, students receive credit for courses taken electronically from other sources if the external source is accredited.

Does the campus have a specific computer/IT competency requirement for all undergraduates?

Computer/IT competency requirements are established by individual Colleges and programs.

Are course reserves and other materials available online/via the Web site?

Yes, Polk Library provides Electronic Reserves to the campus. Many faculty provide additional online materials to students through web-enhanced courses using the Blackboard learner management system.

What percentage of faculty has a networked computer available to them?

All full-time UW Oshkosh faculty have a networked computer available to them.

What percentage of faculty use e-mail regularly?

According to a 2001 survey, 94% of the University's faculty use e-mail regularly.

What information about admission and financial aid is available online, and can necessary forms be submitted electronically?

The University's Admissions Office provides online information on admissions requirements, campus visits and tours, financing a student's education, major fields of study, and contacting the Admissions Office. The Financial Aids Office provides online information on eligibility for financial aid, processing, loans, grants, scholarships, and student employment.

Is the college catalogue, including important campus policies, available on the Web?

The college catalog is available on the Web. In addition to the policies contained in the catalog, other important campus policies are available on Web sites maintained by the Dean of Students Office, Human Resources, and Information Technology.

Can a student access her personal student information/data online?

Through the University's TITAN WEB service, students can access their current class schedule, prior class schedules and grade reports, information about their academic advisor, and their current address. The Library currently provides students with the ability to look up their personal library accounts.

Can a student find out his grades online or by phone at the end of a semester?

Yes, students can find out their grades online through TITAN WEB.

Is registration, including dropping and adding courses, processed electronically (either online or via phone)?

Registration, including dropping and adding courses, is available through TITAN WEB.

Can students pay bills, receive loans, make campus bookstore purchases using online procedures?

Students can make campus bookstore purchases using online procedures. In addition the University accepts credit-card payments for tuition and fees.

What campus and community services are covered by "smart cards" or "debit cards"?

The University's TITANCARD is the official University One Card that serves as the University ID, a meal-plan card, library card, and debit card. Funds deposited to a TITANCARD can purchase food, health services, books, and other campus essentials. The TITANCARD also provides access to buildings, computer labs, and other campus events.

What student information does the campus provide routinely to parents?

The University's Admissions Office provides information to parents via the web on learning at the University, costs and financial aid, health and safety, and campus life.

What percentage of students on this campus have full-time use of personal computers?

In a 2001 survey, 73% of the University's students said they owned their own personal computer. In addition, 83% said they had access to a computer where they lived.

What is the ratio of public access computers to undergraduate enrollment?

The current ratio is 1 public access computer to 20 undergraduate students.

What percentage of students use e-mail and other software applications on a regular basis?

In a 2001 survey, UW Oshkosh students reported the following regular uses of e-mail and other software applications: word processing software -- 96%; Internet tools -- 93%; e-mail -- 73%; electronic spreadsheets -- 42%; desktop publishing software -- 15%; and presentation software -- 34%.

Does the campus allow personal student Web pages?

UW Oshkosh allows personal student Web pages. Each student is provided an account with 10MB of space to store Web pages and other documents.

Is contact information for students, faculty, and staff readily accessible electronically?

Yes. All campus offices maintain Web pages with current contact information. The University also maintains an electronic, searchable e-mail directory.

Is there a campus code of behavior for use of computing resources?

The University has an "Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy." This Policy is available on the Web and is also included in the Code of Student Conduct.

What social activities and services are available over the Web?

Students have access to all the Internet provides, including Web surfing, e-mail, chat, and instant messaging services.

Are there Web sites for student organizations and clubs, and are these linked to the campus home page?

Yes, there are Web sites for student organizations and clubs, and they are linked to the University's home page.

What, if any, technology fee is charged by the campus and what does it cover?

Each student attending a University of Wisconsin System institution pays a Student Technology Fee equal to 2% of tuition. The Student Technology Fee is used to provide additional or enhanced computing resources to students. Annual uses of the Fee are determined following consultation with a committee of students. Student Technology Fee proposals may be submitted via an online form. The University maintains a Web page with information on projects funded with the Student Technology Fee.

Are students required to purchase their own computer?

There is currently no University-wide requirement for students to purchase their own computer.

How does the campus make computing and network access financially available to all students?

UW Oshkosh provides eight general access computer labs with 455 currently available workstations. In addition, the Residence Halls provide computer labs with 120 additional computers for students living in the Residence Halls. All students are provided with an e-mail account and account on a central server for storing Web pages and other electronic documents. All students have network and Internet access from the campus.

Does the campus assess extra fees for network connections in the dorms or for off-campus access?

The University charges $75 a semester for connecting a Residence Hall student's personal computer to the campus network and the Internet. Commuter students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to obtain off-campus access from a local Internet Service Provider that has been selected by the University as the "preferred" ISP.

If I bring my own computer equipment to school, what kind of support can I expect from the campus?

Students using their own computer to connect to the campus network (through the ResNet program) can contact a technical support team via phone or e-mail. In addition, Troubleshooting Knowledgebases and Software Guides are provided online.

What hardware and software standards, if any, does the campus require, recommend, and/or support?

The University maintains Computer Hardware and Software Standards that list supported hardware (desktop computers, laptops, printers, and other peripherals) and supported software. These Standards are available online and are updated on a regular basis.

What kinds of services (help desk, training, troubleshooting) are provided by the campus, and during what hours of operation?

The University maintains a Help Desk that is available M-F 7:45 am - 4:30 pm. Training is provided by individual departments and faculty through coursework and by library staff.

Does the campus have a plan for keeping the hardware current, and if so, what is the replacement cycle?

Hardware in student general access computer labs is replaced on a 3-4 year cycle.

How does the campus support printing for students, and is there a charge for this?

The University provides "no fee" printing in the general access computer labs and in Polk Library. "No fee" printing is subsidized by the Student Technology Fee.

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