Many higher educational institutions across the U.S. are currently in the process of reviewing their existing funding models for the delivery of communication services. Most voice and data funding models were created 8–12 years ago. Given changes in technology and campus needs, these organizations have found that it's time to review. UC Berkeley is no exception. Beginning September 2007, a team sponsored by the OCIO, the Controller's Office, and the Campus Budget Office began the complex process of reviewing the current models and identifying options for the future.
The scope of the Communication Network Funding Model project is to develop a sustainable model for providing communications services to the campus. The communication services that are included in the project are voice, data, data security, and emergency communications. The team is working closely with IST to understand the benefits and issues with the existing model and the networking strategy for the campus. To date, the project team has identified the costs to maintain the communication services and the forecasted costs for the next five years. Scenarios are now being developed to evaluate the impact of allocation options. Simultaneously, research is being conducted with universities across the country so that we may benefit from the experiences of our peers.
An advisory group with cross-campus representation was established in the fall to provide the project team with diverse campus perspectives as the model is developed. Focus groups will also be formed in the future as the project progresses.
The estimated time of implementation for the new model is fiscal year 2009–10. The next step will be for the project sponsors to narrow the allocation options down based upon further impact analysis. Once a model is agreed upon, an implementation plan will be developed and the model will be implemented. For questions, contact Project Manager Peggy Huston,