skip to main content
OSCR Lab Services OSCR Services and Programs Student Technology Preceptorship IT Student Advisory Board Technology Refresh Bank
Information Requirements Applications Who is Using the TRB? TRB: The Movie! FAQ
Ruckus Second Life OSCRtv
OSCR We Do Technology Refresh Bank Information

Technology Refresh Bank: Program Info

The Technology Refresh Bank (TRB) was started in 2001 to help fund departmental student computing labs after several years of faculty innovation awards had been granted by the Learning Technologies Partnership.  Nearly all of these labs were successful, and over time, many faculty had modified their curriculum to utilize the technology resources available to enhance student learning.

After several years of use, the equipment needed to be replaced.  The grant funds that had provided startup capital were designated for innovative projects and were not available for equipment refresh.  Individual departments were responsible for finding refresh dollars, and most did not have a budget line for this type of expenditure.  Sally Jackson, former UA CIO and Vice-President for Learning Technologies, founded the Technology Refresh Bank to provide loan/grant awards to departments to help annualize this ongoing technology refresh expense.

FUNDING

Part loan and part grant, the TRB can provide 100% of the funds required to refresh a entire student computing lab, and loan periods range from one to four years to meet a department's needs. No interest is charged for this service.

Initially $200,000 was allocated annually for TRB awards and all department payments went back into the TRB to be awarded again.  Budget cuts in 2006 reduced the annual TRB allocation to $107,500 and discontinued the grant portion of awards, but still allowed for all payments to remain eligible for awards.

In April 2007, TRB administrator Limell' Lawson, secured $50,000 of Gateway Strategic Initiative Funding Opportunities funds to provide a 15% grant to those departments who chose Gateway computers to refresh their lab.  In order to qualify for the 15% grant, at least 80% of the computers purchased with TRB funds must be Gateway brand.

Departments have the option of applying for just the 15% grant portion of an award so long as they meet all the requirements of the TRB.

As of July 2006, the TRB had made 46 grant/loan awards totaling $1,615,404.00.  Nearly every college on campus has been a recipient during the past five years.  Participation in the TRB is voluntary.  Only academic departments are eligible to receive awards.  Applications are accepted year round.