By Wanda Monroe
Office of the Chief Information Officer
The University has received nearly $117,000 in computing equipment from the IBM Corp. The new equipment replaces older machines in classrooms and training areas, and provides equipment for the new Faculty Studio located in the Media Union.
The Faculty Studio is designed to help faculty with projects involving the use of digital media in instruction, creative arts, visual communication and collaborative work. The Groundworks Desktop Multimedia Center, a multi-media laboratory, a studio-style classroom and a print shop, also received some of the new computers.
“The Media Union Faculty Studio, Groundworks facilities and training suites are very important resources for U-M faculty and students who want to experiment with digital media,” says Barbara O’Keefe, Media Union director. “The IBM gift has made it possible for us to meet campus needs much more quickly and effectively than we thought we would,” she adds.
Through the “IBM Matching Grants Program,” donations from IBM employees who are U-M alumni are matched by the company on a three-to-one basis for equipment that can be used by the University.
“Many of our employees, alumni of the University of Michigan, are demonstrating their commitment to enhancing information technology for the institution,” says Paula Baker, corporate director of community relations for IBM. “IBM is proud to support our employees and the schools and community-based organizations that they contribute to with their donations.”
IBM has been supportive of information technology at the University for a number of years through investments in key research initiatives. It also was the first corporation to become part of the University’s Strategic Alliance Program—a program designed to establish formal Universitywide affiliations with information technology corporations to enhance University and corporation business and research projects and exchanges. The program encourages campuswide interdisciplinary research in a number of areas and supports administrative, medical and learning initiatives, while allowing the University to take advantage of competitively priced computer equipment and software.
“The arrangements through the Matching Grants Program support the University’s commitment to enhance teaching and learning at the University of Michigan,” says José-Marie Griffiths, university chief information officer. “We are very grateful to our alumni and to IBM for these donations through which our faculty and students can continue to learn, create and grow.”
