United States Distance Learning Association

sound effects as needed. Classroom technology
support can include reservation,
setup, and configuration of a number of
items. Relevant technologies may include
projectors, laptops, and video/DVD players
among other items. Classroom Support
services include assisting instructors with
the operation of classroom technology,
installing, maintaining, and supporting
classroom technology, and circulating
audio/visual and portable multimedia
equipment. The Office of Academic Technology’s
satellite downlink services provide
facilities to receive programming
broadcast via satellite, with several options
for delivery. Satellite downlinks can be
received and redistributed on any of the
Video and collaboration services systems.
Each antenna is capable of receiving multiple
programs from a satellite at one time,
providing flexible access to programming
distributed over satellite for UF campus
users. This service is most often used for
Distance Learning and Video-Teleconferencing.
All downlinks can be made available
as streaming video in addition to
being broadcast on the UF cable TV network
(University of Florida Office of Academic
Technology, 2006).
An advisory structure, consisting of the
Information Technology Advisory Council
(ITAC), provides recommendations and
advisement to university administration
regarding matters of technology on campus.
Subcommittees have been established
to bring the information technology leaders
on campus together to participate in
visioning, planning, and problem solving
in relation to technology. The Academic
Technology unit provides analysis and recommended
direction in support of the efficient
implementation of academic
technology resources and functions campus-wide
(University of Florida Office of
Information Technology Information Technology
Advisory Committee, 2007). These
information technology resources are
intended for university-related purposes,
including direct and indirect support of
the university’s instruction, research and
service missions, university administrative
functions, student and campus life activities,
and the free exchange of ideas within
the university community and among the
university community and the wider local,
national, and world communities (University
of Florida Office of Information Technology,
2006).
FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE
INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
IFAS’ $273 million operating budget consists
of the funding sources displayed in
Figure 2 (Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, 2007b). A designated portion of
funding is distributed to IFAS IT for analysis,
support and design purposes inclusive
of, but not limited to: high-end domains,
multipurpose, e-mail, backup and security
servers and other equipment to create,
replenish, and upgrade wide area networks
(WAN) connected to various local
area networks (LAN) and the virtual private
network (VPN) located throughout
the state of Florida and abroad.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFERED AT
A DISTANCE BY THE COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
offers three graduate degrees, three
certificate programs, and more than 80
courses through distance education. The
master of science distance-delivered programs
are specifically designed to meet the
needs of practicing county extension
agents and middle/high school agriscience
teachers. The course schedule and content
are tailored to best meet the instructional
and scheduling needs of practicing educators.
The College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences administers the degree programs
of the University of Florida’s Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences.
66 Distance Learning Volume 4, Issue 4