Student Computing Fee History
Over the years, the University of Iowa was among the leaders in applying information technology to instruction and learning. However in the mid 1980s, that leadership position was starting to slip because of lack of adequate funding. The University began to look to alternatives to find the funds necessary to provide the growing need for information technology.
In 1986, the College of Engineering instigated a $100 per semester computing fee for everyone taking Engineering classes. The fee was used to provide up-to-date computing facilities and support to assist students in using the technology. Two years later in 1988, the Colleges of Business and Law initiated student computing fees of $35 and $30 per semester respectively, to provide their students access to information technology, access to information resources, and assistance in using them.
By 1991, the demand for access to information technology had spread throughout the University, and it could not be adequately supported from existing funding sources. Use of information technology in instruction was not limited to sciences but was being used through out the whole University. The numbers of computers in the student computing labs were not increasing fast enough to keep up the demand. The University of Iowa was falling behind other Big Ten institutions in the ratio of computers to students. Also, the existing computers in the Instructional Technology Centers on campus were not able to run the latest operating systems. See about ITCs.
The decision was made to establish a University-wide Student Computing Fee, effective fall semester 1991. The fee would be $40 per semester for all students, except students in the College of Engineering who would continue to pay the $100 per semester.
The University-wide Student Computing Fee was supported by the University of Iowa Student Association, who stated they believed that excellent computing facilities are an integral part of a world class education. The President and Vice President of the University of Iowa Student Association, the Vice President for Finance and University Services, and the Director of the Office of Information Technology signed an agreement of support for the fee.
A request for the University-wide Computing Fee was made by the University to the Iowa Board of Regents who approved the request on May 15, 1991. Iowa State University proposed a similar computing fee, which was also approved by the Regents.
Since 1991, the Student Computing Fees have generated funds, which have provided students at the University access to up-to-date information technology and access to information sources.