CS2013-final-report

and/or to take CS-specific coursework early in their studies, which may discourage students from
the field.
Computing Resources
Programs in computer science have a need for adequate computing resources, both for students
and faculty. The needs of computer science programs often extend beyond traditional
infrastructure (general campus computing labs) and may include specialized hardware and
software, and/or large-scale computing infrastructure. Having adequate access to such resources
is especially important for project and capstone courses. Moreover, institutions need to consider
the growing heterogeneity of computing devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) that can be used as a
platform for coursework.
Maintaining a Flexible and Healthy Faculty
A strong program in computer science is founded on a sufficient number of (and sufficiently
experienced) faculty to keep the department healthy and vibrant. Departmental hiring should
provide not only sufficient capacity to keep a program viable, but also allow for existing faculty
to have time for professional development and exploration of new ideas. To respond to rapid
changes in the field, computer science faculty must have the opportunities to build new skills,
learn about new areas, and stay abreast of new technologies. While there can be tension between
teaching new technologies versus fundamental principles, focusing too far on either extreme will
be a disservice to students. Faculty need to be given the time to acquire new ideas and
technologies and bring them into courses and curricula. In this way, departments can model the
value of professional and lifelong learning, as faculty incorporate new materials and approaches.
In addition to professional development, it is especially important for computer science programs
to maintain a healthy capacity to respond to enrollment fluctuations. Indeed, computer science
as a discipline has gone through several boom-and-bust cycles in the past decades that have
resulted in significant enrollment changes in programs all over the world and across virtually all
types of institutions. A department should take care to create structures to help it maintain
resilience in the face of enrollment downturns, for example by making courses more broadly
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