Standard 6.5 Technical Infrastructure

Standard 6.5 Technical Infrastructure

The program has access to a comprehensive technical infrastructure that supports students, faculty, and staff in achieving the program’s mission and goals. This includes reliable Internet access, online and physical library resources, and streaming and videoconferencing facilities. Students are provided ThinkPad or MacBook laptops with campus Internet access and LTE wireless service in most areas of Marquette County, ensuring connectivity during on- and off-campus activities. Laboratory facilities in the Science Building and Weston Hall are sufficient for the program’s needs.

An annual assessment plan evaluates the program’s infrastructure, including current resources and projections for new technologies. Feedback from faculty, staff, students, and clients is collected and presented at advisory board meetings for review. The university’s Audio-Visual department and Telecom oversee and continually upgrade videoconferencing, streaming, and telecommunications systems. Technical support services (TSS) assist with computer issues, and the university replaces laptops every three years to ensure up-to-date equipment.

The Lydia M. Olson Library provides interlibrary loan services, MeLCat access, and a dedicated liaison librarian for the program. Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) supports classroom technologies, and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers training and resources for instructional tools like NMU EduCat™, the university’s course management system. These resources and regular infrastructure reviews ensure the program remains technologically equipped to meet academic and clinical needs.