As Kent State makes budget cuts as part of major reconstruction, the university will need to increase spending to keep up with tech needs according to some faculty and staff. A budgeting plan will be implemented in three years with the intent to restructure the university, allowing the university to save around $1 million annually.
Students, faculty and staff will still see new technology incorporated regardless of the budget change.
“We look for redundant services or adjust how we consume services to minimize spending,” James Raber, executive director of educational technology, said.
Technology won’t be taken away, but rather seen more frequently in programs that rely on it.
“We lean heavily on an IT governance structure that is designed to make sure that additional university voices are heard in terms of technology, investment and changes,” Raber said.
Not only will this transformation affect the main campus, it will also involve seven of Kent State’s regional campuses as well. Paul Dykshoorn, director of engineering technology at Kent Tuscarawas, believes the budget change won’t affect the campus.
“What we find more troubling is the temporary moratorium on new units, programs and courses,” Dykshoorn mentioned. “To keep up with changes in technology we need to have the ability to offer new and innovative courses such as a Human Machine Interface Design Course or an Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturing course.”
The project’s main objective will be to reduce money being spent and use it more effectively on necessities. The budget will also be keen on keeping technology in circulation for a longer period of time and making it last.
“It forces us to make sure we are getting good value for the technology that we invest in,” Raber said. “It also means that we need to pay close attention to refresh cycles of capital equipment.”
Though for a regional campus such as Kent State Tuscarawas, it’s not all about the technology. The demand for proper exposure toward new and potential students is a priority.
“Also troubling is the reduction of the advertising budget,” Dykshoorn said. “We need to get the word out about the wonderful programs we have to offer here at Kent. That said, we are currently looking at new and innovative ways to reach potential students that do not require an advertising budget.”
All of Kent’s campuses will be affected differently, though only time will tell whether negatively or positively. A budget cut may not affect technology, though it could impact other functions.
“This may result in leaning in more heavily on technologies in some spaces to increase automation and reduce workload for some business operations of the university,” Raber said. “In other cases, we look for redundant services or adjust how we consume services to minimize spend.”
Kaleb Clark is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].