Linderman Library – The construction phase of the renovation project began in May 2005 with completion anticipated in spring 2007. Related accomplishments include raising $6.0 million dollars in donations, relocating 250,000 books, adding a second level in the Library Materials Center, and developing strategies for delivering collections and services to users until 2007. Linderman will serve as a humanities library and an intellectual center with seminar rooms, technology, group studies, improved accessibility, and a café.
Lehigh Lab –The Lehigh Lab was created, based on the concept that the University as a whole is a laboratory in which faculty, staff and students work and experiment together, across departments and disciplines, to advance learning. Two faculty members have served as Lab “faculty fellows” and a Technology Resource Learning Center was built in Fairchild Library to offer faculty a state-of-the-art classroom and convenient access to peers, instructional designers, and faculty development staff. In recognition of this innovation, Lehigh received the 2004 EDUCAUSE award for Systemic Progress in Teaching and Learning.
Portal and MyLibrary – LTS implemented the Campus Pipeline Luminis Portal and subsequently developed the first year student portal, the MyLibrary portal, and the accepted student portal. About 4,500 individuals log into the portal daily with a “single sign-on” that allows access to registration, course management, employee benefits, and other services. The “groups” function provides for convenient communication among many academic, administrative, athletic, service and social groups. Lehigh received the Center for Digital Education’s “Best of Web” award in 2004 for the portal implementation.
2020 Infrastructure and Classrooms – As part of the Lehigh 2020 initiative, LTS upgraded classroom technology and network infrastructure dramatically. 85% of the classrooms are now “technology enabled” with, at a minimum, an electronic podium, computer, projector, screen, and DVD/VCR. Network speed, reliability, and flexibility were enhanced by installing new switches in all campus buildings and replacing the entire cable plant in Packard and Sinclair Labs with gigabit data ports. Work began on upgrading the network core to an even higher bandwidth with new switches, routers, and redundant firewalls at the network border.
Digital Library –The virtual library became a reality through the creation of the MyLibrary portal, implementation of SFX links, and the addition of myriad retrospective electronic journals, databases, and collections. Six diverse digital library projects integrated Special Collections materials into the curriculum and provided worldwide access to these materials and campus scholarship.
Disaster Recovery – Working with the LEWIS Steering Committee and others, the Sungard SCT Banner applications have been enhanced and integrated with other campus assets such as the campus portal and the TouchNet Gateway for online credit card payments. Of particular note has been the development of a business continuity plan that includes a subscription to a recovery site provider.
High Performance Computing (HPC) – In collaboration with the High Performance Computing Committee, capacity has been significantly enhanced. Projects include the acquisition and support of an SGI Altix 350, two Beowulf Clusters, two grids, 20 IBM Intellistations, the Egenera BladeFrame, and a system donated by the Partners for the Advancement of Collaboration Engineering Applications or PACE.
Teaching and Learning – Teaching and learning support was increased substantially through the provision of the Centra virtual classroom software, extensive collaboration with the Mellon-funded Clipper program, and the initiation of an Information Literacy program. Innovations in teaching and learning resulted in many more classes that are web-based, multimedia-intensive, and online. The number of professional staff in direct support of instructional design and instructional technology was doubled.
Distance Education – Partnering with the Colleges, there has been significant growth in online course offerings (750%), courses delivered (80%), and course registrations (40%). The 2020-funded Marketing Initiative professional has produced quality materials, advertising, and needs assessment in an intensely competitive market.
Wireless – Wireless connectivity was added to all common spaces, including residences and some outdoor areas so that both wireless connectivity and security is extensive in 60% of campus academic and administrative buildings. Wireless laptops were added for a student loan program from the two libraries.
|
