Technology Investment Fund (TIF) proposals due Nov. 13

HFC’s Technology Investment Committee (TIC) is calling for Technology Investment Fund (TIF) proposals, which must be submitted by Wednesday, November 13, to be considered for funding for this TIF cycle.

The purpose of the TIF proposals is to support projects that increase and/or improve student access to technology, including:

• Computer-assisted instruction
• Online learning hardware and software
• Industrial computer and equipment upgrades
• Costs for consultants and technical support (one-time basis)

TIF policy

The TIF is maintained through a Technology Investment Fee assessed on each course credit hour. TIF is a restricted account outside the general operating budget of the College. HFC President Russ Kavalhuna will inform the Board of Trustees prior to approving any expenditures from the TIF on the financial status of the TIF. All expenditures from the TIF shall require prior authorization by the Board upon recommendation of the President.

Monies from the TIF may be used for any purpose that enables improvement in student learning or access to technology, which includes but is not limited to:

• Multimedia presentations
• Distance learning technology
• Electronic storage materials

The TIF committee will consider project requests that fall outside of direct student access to classroom technology if funds are available. If requests exceed funds, TIF proposals that deal with direct access to student technology in the classroom will take precedence.

TIF process

• TIF proposals are created by a TIF Project Director.
• Proposals are submitted for review by the TIF committee. This year’s TIF committee meeting will be Friday, November 22.
• The TIF Project Director gives a presentation of their project to the TIF committee and answers any questions by committee members regarding the request.
• The TIF committee reviews requests, then approves or denies funding for the request. Approvals are based on those requests most closely aligned with the TIF’s purpose and available funding.
• Approved TIF requests are forwarded to the President for executive approval.
• Requests that have received executive approval are submitted to the Board for review at the monthly Board meeting. The TIF Project Director for the approved request is expected to attend this Board meeting to answer any questions the Board members may have regarding the project.
• At the following Board meeting, the Board will approve those projects they feel deserve funding.

Based on the approvals, a fund will be created for each project. The TIF Project Director will work with HFC Financial Services to get the funding information to use for the procurement of goods and services necessary to complete the project.

Each TIF Project Director creates requirements in HANK using the account information from Financial Services. All the necessary steps to create requirements to buy equipment and hire necessary installers are required after approval is granted.

Easy application process

The criteria are:

1. The proposed technology must support students.
2. The proposed technology must be on your School/Department Operational Plan.
3. You must have a Strategic Planning Online (SPOL) number on the TIF application.

The SPOL number is required because the project must align with the goals of the College. The SPOL number is assigned by the dean of your School or your VP, and approved by HFC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Nealon for placement on the overall strategic plan. If a faculty member does not have a SPOL number, they will not be able to apply for a TIF grant.

If you have satisfied the criteria, complete a TIF application. The application involves your project, research, and justification of the requested funds. Be sure to include a budget for the project.

Submit your TIF proposals to Joe Zitnik at jzitnik@hfcc.edu by Wednesday, November 13. The email subject must read “Fall 2024 TIF.”

For questions or more information, contact Zitnik at 313-317-6500 or jzitnik@hfcc.edu.