Or June Greist
Friday, September 19, 1997
(970) 491-6432
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY INVITES SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES TO APPLY
FOR INTERNET GRANTS
FORT COLLINS--Colorado K-12 schools and public libraries are
eligible to apply for Internet connection and training grants in
a new program administered by Colorado State University and
funded by US West.
The one-year grants will provide 60 selected schools and
libraries with free Internet connections, training, consultant
support and network services. The Internet Connections Program is
funded by a $497,768 US West grant and is managed by Patrick
Burns, engineering professor at Colorado State, with the
participation of University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and the
University of Colorado-Denver.
"This program not only pays expensive set-up costs, but also
provides support and training every step of the way. Since
central hub site costs will be covered under the grant, the
expansion of Internet access to additional schools will be easy
and inexpensive," said Burns.
Selected sites will be provided with local hubs, which allow
computers within each school to connect to each other, and
central hubs, which allow direct connections to the Internet.
Network services, including electronic mail, Net News, World Wide
Web access and hosting of Web pages, will be funded for one year.
Training will be provided to site representatives, who will
extend training to other teachers and students within their
schools.
Selected sites must provide one teacher to serve as a
primary site contact. Sites must supply their primary site
contacts time to attend three all-day training sessions and time
each day to support the network and train other teachers and
students. Grant recipients must maintain Internet connection
beyond the one-year grant period, subject to available funding.
"Internet access is becoming increasingly important because
it allows improved communication among educators, parents and the
community, and provides teachers and students access to high
quality materials and curricula, especially in math and science,"
said Burns. "Several proposals which would support school
Internet connections are currently being considered by the
legislature. Government aid will likely be available in the
future, and state or federal funds could be used to pick up and
continue the efforts of the Internet Connections Program."
Selection of sites is based upon need, geographical balance
and applicant's intent to support the effort and extend the
connection beyond the first year of funding. Applications must be
postmarked Oct. 15, or received in person by Oct. 20.
To receive an application or for more information, call
Burns at (970) 491-6120; Frank Edlin of University of Colorado-
Denver at (303) 556-4307; or Leslie Manning of University of
Colorado-Colorado Springs at (719) 262-3115. Information and
application requirements also are available on the Web at
http://k12.colostate.edu/puc/solicitation.html.
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