Student technology fee supports tools for remote learning

Each semester, VCU students see a “student technology fee” line on their tuition statement. Some of these funds are used to support university-wide initiatives such as improving wireless services in common student areas. A portion of these funds is given to the individual colleges and schools based on credit hours.

At the College of Engineering, the student technology fee plays an important role in improving the technology available to engineering students, including the ability to access high-end engineering software programs remotely.

For example, at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the college implemented the App2Go technology to make its otherwise shuttered laboratory computers accessible remotely to all students. Using App2Go, VCU engineering students maintained access to the specialized applications from multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, without having to visit campus and at all hours of the day. (Students: Learn how to connect remotely to a VCU Engineering lab cluster and install the Citrix Workspaces software on your computer here: https://wiki.vcu.edu/x/Oa0tBg.)

Based on student feedback, the college is planning to use technology fee funds to expand its use of these remote-access technologies. Students will be able to use software programs including SolidWorks and Anysys from wherever they are learning.

Every fall, the college emails students asking them how to use the portion of the university’s mandatory student technology fee allocated to VCU Engineering. Based on student feedback, the fee has enabled the college to purchase new color and wide-format printers, monitors, solid-state drives, wireless receivers and software licenses. Send your ideas for future uses to engrweb@vcu.edu.

More about the fee:

Q: Who pays the student technology fee?
A: The technology fee is charged to all undergraduate, graduate and professional students in all programs.

Q: What is it used for?
A: This fee supports universitywide technological infrastructure, services and initiatives and may only be used for technology-related expenses that directly benefit students.

Q: Who should I tell about an idea I have for how these fees should be used?
A: Send your ideas for future uses to engrweb@vcu.edu.

Q: Since the university began the spring semester remotely, do students who aren’t on campus still have to pay this fee?
A: Tuition and fees are assessed to all courses regardless of the course modality.

COVID-19 supplies vending machines

Students, faculty and staff can use their VCU ID to obtain hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and face coverings from vending machines. Individuals are alloted one swipe per item per month (i.e., one of each item can be obtained each month).

Vending machines will be located on the Monroe Park Campus at:

• Bowe Street Parking Deck
• Snead Hall, East Hall (Closest location for Engineering. The machine is at the security desk inside the crescent entrance)
• T. Edward Temple Building
• James Branch Cabell Library
• Student Commons

Vending machines will be located on the MCV Campus at:

• Larrick Student Center
• Health Sciences Library
• VCU Health Sciences Research Building and Annex
• McGlothlin Medical Education Center
• Hunton Student Center

Engineering Directional Pathways

Please see the building floor plans below that depict adjusted traffic flow and details building access points, hand sanitizer filling stations and the disinfecting stations.

Biotech 1 Floor Plan | Biotech 8 Floor Plan | East Hall Floor Plan | West Hall Floor Plan |