TIF grants $390,000 to online programs by Tanya Wethington The Ranger Reporter

A $250,000 grant from the Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund will provide a streaming video database for health care majors.

TIF also provided Amarillo College a $140,000 grant which will enhance development of online classes.

"TIF is a state organization that was created in 1995 to build the telecommunication infrastructure for the state of Texas," said Karen Ruddy, director of the AC Library Network.

"They add a small tax on telecommunication bills over the next 10 years, and they will collect a total of $1.5 billion from telecommunication companies for grants.

"These grants will be given to libraries, public schools, higher education and health care programs."

More than 1,000 nursing student are enrolled at AC, and 7,000-plus health care professionals attend classes or seminars provided by AC. More than half of them live in rural parts of the Texas Panhandle.

"There are students who travel over 170 miles a day to classes," Ruddy said.

She said that obstacle makes it harder for students to find time and money that is needed to obtain a college degree or to further their education.

"A database of streaming videos would provide a much-needed resource of study materials that could be used by students through Distance Education programs," Ruddy said.

"Students choose Amarillo College because of the high quality of nursing education, and Amarillo College has a first-time state board pass rate of 90."

AC hopes to have 450 videos ready for nursing students to use this year.

Their goal is to have multiple access points so students will have easy and fast access to resources, Ruddy said.

"Nursing school is so demanding, being able to study after getting the kids in bed or putting a load of laundry in would be so wonderful," said Jan Britten, a nursing major.

"It is hard to get everything done. Every minute counts."

The $140,000 grant will be used toward enhancing online class development.

An estimated $30,000 will go toward improving WebCT.

Out of the grant money, $53,000 will help update storage systems.

"The theme is closing the gaps," said Victor Fite, dean of information technology services.

"The basic premise is to build a network infrastructure so we can deliver online classes.

"This will make classes more readily available for students and give us an unlimited license for WebCT use."