Technology Investment Fund (TIF) proposals due March 14

Release Date
Event Date
HFC logo on a blue background.

HFC’s Technology Investment Committee invites Technology Investment Fund (TIF) proposals, which must be submitted by Friday, March 14, to be considered for this TIF cycle.

The purpose of TIF proposals is to support projects that improve student access to educational technology, such as:

  • Computer-assisted instruction
  • Online learning hardware and software
  • 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. The TIF is a restricted account outside the general operating budget of the College. All expenditures from the TIF require prior authorization by the Board upon recommendation of the President.

Funds 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
  • Self-paced computer-assisted instruction
  • Computer hardware and software
  • Industrial computer upgrades
  • Maintenance costs

The TIF committee will consider requests that fall outside of direct student access to classroom technology if funds are available and the proposals support student success through technology. If requests exceed funds, TIF proposals that provide direct access to technology in the classroom will take precedence.

TIF process

  • TIF proposals are created by a TIF Project Director (this can be anyone).
  • Proposals are submitted for review by the TIF committee. The TIF committee meeting for the Winter 2025 semester will be Friday, March 21. Proposers are required to attend, describe their proposal, and answer committee questions.
  • 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 or his representative 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 projects they see as aligned with student success.

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 will create requirements in HANK using the account information from Financial Services to complete the work of the project. All the necessary steps to create requirements to buy equipment and hire necessary installers are still required. Depending on the cost of the project, it still may need to be bid because the contractor who supplied the quote and the company who quoted the hardware may not be the same vendors who are awarded the project.

Simple application process

The application process for TIF proposals criteria are:

  • The proposed technology must support students.
  • The proposed technology must be part of your School’s Operational Plan.
  • You must have a Strategic Planning Online (SPOL) number that must be included 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 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.

Every TIF request must be accompanied by quotes for all hardware and services in addition to the completed documents attached to this email. Costs can be included in the documents, but they must be accompanied by quotes.

Submit your TIF proposals to Joe Zitnik at jzitnik@hfcc.edu by Friday, March 14. The email subject must read “Winter 2025 TIF Proposal.”

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