SupportNet Project Funded

[Betty Van Dam]

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved funding 
for "SupportNet",  Merit's amendment to the K-12 Dial-In 
Expansion Project.  Additional moneys became available as a 
result of larger than anticipated earnings on the Michigan Bell 
Ratepayers Case fund. 

Each of the regional hubs, libraries, and community colleges were 
awarded funds for regional training projects.  Merit Network
received the remainder of the excess funds, a total of $399,421 
for a statewide technical training effort that is one year in 
duration.

Merit has been funded to implement Internet training and help desk 
services for one technical support staff from each of the state's  
22 Regional Media Centers, 57 Intermediate School Districts, 22 
library cooperatives and other library organizations, and  28 
community colleges.   The purpose of the training is to advance 
the skill level of those staff who must provide technical support  
and training for their organization and/or other organizations 
which they service.  It is not intended to provide end-user 
training or support.

The training will be implemented in two phases.  The first is a series 
of eight one-week regional training sessions held in the various hub 
regions throughout the state.  Additionally, there will be a set of 
statewide training sessions done via compressed video.  

Help desk assistance will be provided to training participants on all 
aspects of Internet support. This support will utilize the expertise of 
both Merit staff and those with areas of technical expertise from within 
each region.  Assistance will be provided via the phone and by use 
of Internet conferencing.

Questions about the SupportNet project may be directed to me.

Betty

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Betty Van Dam                                      bvandam@merit.edu
Manager, Training & Consulting Services           ph: (313) 647-4627
Merit Network, Inc.                              fax: (313) 647-3185
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