Comments on: Technology Fees in 2009?

By: Travis Johnson

Travis Johnson — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:35:37 +0000

Thanks for posting this article, Barry. It will greatly help our students understand the push for making paying for tuiton easier. As we chatted about, this is a great possibility in the present. I will keep you informed. Also, I shared the link to this note with many, so you might receive more feedback.

Thanks, again!

By: David

David — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:19:54 +0000

Sounds like you could benefit from a Distance Learning Fee on top of the Tech Fee. ha, ha.

Kidding aside, I agree that technology should be a funding priority in education, regardless of the collection method. If the perception created through a technology fee is that technology is not a priority, then I agree, that’s not a good message.

By: barrydahl

barrydahl — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:58:13 +0000

David,
I understand your position and have heard something similar many times. The technology fee that we collect at my school (at $10 per credit) only covers about 50% of the cost of technology on my campus. Therefore, we’re already at risk of losing funding on that second 50%. It hasn’t happened because our President values the uses of technology on our campus and we have been able to make integrating technology a priority college-wide. However, any of those things could change at any time (new President, etc.). Still, I think it sends a bad message to say that technology is an add-on in 2009. Thanks for your comment.

By: David

David — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:44:41 +0000

Not all institutions have the authority to change tuition so as to adequately cover the cost of doing business. Being in a state with one of the lowest tuition rates in the country, short of receiving a few generous donations specifically for technology use, a technology fee is the only way to loosen the ropes.

One aspect of a technology fee that I appreciate is that the money is earmarked for technology. If the fee is bundled into tuition, will you and your department continue to receive enough to cover technology costs, or will some specialty program or center pop up one year that takes 20% of the funds? In that world, how much more difficult do you think it will be to justify your expenses when you’re competing with every other request on campus for the same money?

Some institutions would be fine in a fee-less world, but I believe that many would find themselves going to the parts room for a replacement projector bulb in spring only to find the shelves empty.

By: Lynda Milne

Lynda Milne — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:38:01 +0000

I’m with you, Barry. Nothing says tacked-on like a special fee. Made sense during ramp-up, build-out times, but it’s basic infrastructure now.

By: Technology Fees- a Response to Barry Dahl « An Education and Technology Blog

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:42:19 +0000

[...] Posted December 4, 2008 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: techfee | Barry Dahl asks why we charge technology fees, arguing that a technology or online course fee makes as much sense as a restroom fee. While his [...]

By: Gillian

Gillian — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:35:39 +0000

Well said! Some places charge lab fees separately as well. How do you do chemistry without lab time?
Looking forward to the rant on charging for distance learning course development as that sounds completely mad. Oops – must not start now!

By: Jim Berg

Jim Berg — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:39:34 +0000

We get paid for the bullshit?!

By: Harold Jarche

Harold Jarche — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:12:05 +0000

You mean there’s no more chalkboard fee? Boy, am I out of date.