112 shields bldg university park pa 16802

The Pennsylvania State University 112 Shields Building University Park, PA 16802 Comment by mlk21: Starts with a formal letter responding to the RFP.

June 19, 2012

Wayne K. Newton Committee 234 Broad Street State College, PA 16801

Dear Committee members,

Penn State University appreciates the opportunity to present our proposal to you, the committee formed in honor of Wayne K. Newton. Your specific interest in wanting Mr. Newton’s memory honored on a college campus is what led Penn State University to approach you with this proposal for an update of one of the campus’s computer labs.

The sponsorship of new equipment for a campus computer lab would appropriately honor the memory of Mr. Newton, as this would enhance the quality of life and academics on campus. The money donated in the memory of Mr. Newton would allow Penn State University to provide our students with the best technology possible.

The enclosed proposal outlines the details of the plan to update a campus computer lab, as well as the timeline and budget specifics. If more information is desired, please feel free to contact Penn State University at 814-865-6357.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to present our proposal to you. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Student

Technology Advisory Board Member

Table of Contents Comment by mlk21: You may want a TOC if your paper gets a bit long.

Executive Summary 4

Introduction 4

Rationale and Plan 4

Description of Services and Equipment 5

Timeline 5

Cost Analysis 6

Description of Organization 6

Conclusion 7

Works Consulted 7

Penn State University Campus Computer Lab Update Proposal Comment by mlk21: Title page is normally a part of a formal proposal or report.

June 21, 2012

Wayne K. Newton Committee

Penn State University Technology Advisory Board Student

Penn State University 112 Shields Building University Park, PA 16802

Executive Summary Comment by mlk21: Everyone needs a summary statement in their proposal.
Penn State University is proposing an update to our campus computer lab in the HUB-Robeson Center to honor the memory of Wayne K. Newton. We believe this project would adequately fulfill the family’s wishes to donate the funds to a college campus and make a different in the community.

Penn State University plans on purchasing new laptops, a projector, a projector screen, Windows 7 software, and new office chairs.

· The total cost of this update will be $64,700.00.

· The total cost includes the aforementioned equipment and also manpower to update the lab and any maintenance costs.

· The timeline is tentative and will continue to be evaluated as the project progresses.

In sponsoring this update to the computer lab, the Committee formed in memory of Wayne K. Newton will have fulfilled their quest to find a project that would benefit a college campus and community. Updating the HUB computer lab will give Penn State students access to the very best technology to help them succeed.

Introduction Comment by mlk21: Background to the issue
Penn State University is a public institution that is home to over 40,000 students at its University Park campus. We strive to help our students succeed and excel here and in their future careers. Our university has a strong presence in the State College community.

We are proposing an update to our campus computer lab in the HUB-Robeson Center to honor the memory of Wayne K. Newton. We believe this project would adequately fulfill the family’s wishes to donate the funds to a college campus and make a different in the community.

The current HUB computer lab is out of date. The computers are old and the software runs slowly. There is no projector or screen for the students to use. The chairs are broken and difficult to repair. We believe that with the donation from your committee, Penn State could refresh this computer lab and make it a better place for students to work on assignments, work with groups, or as a meeting place for club meetings.

Rationale and Plan Comment by mlk21: The rationale and plan is clear and concise. By reading it, we know exactly what is being asked.
The purpose of the update to a campus computer lab is to give Penn State University students the best opportunities and access to the newest technology. A campus project such as this one will fulfill your committee’s request to appropriately honor the memory of Wayne K. Newton.

Description of Services and Equipment
Facilities

The computer lab that we, Penn State University, have selected is located in the HUB-Robeson Center, which is the student union building. We feel like this particular computer lab is heavily used and centrally located. All students will have easy access to this lab since it is located in the HUB. Also, this computer lab is quite out of date, with inadequate computers and other equipment students may need to work on projects.

Equipment

Penn State University has decided to purchase 50 Dell Latitude E4620 laptops for the computer lab. These new laptops will replace the old Dell Inspiron E1405 models. Some money will be allotted for a new Dell HD Digital Projector. The computer lab currently does not have a projector for students to use, as the old one is broken. The old projector screens will also be replaced with a new 113in Diag Cosmopolitan Electrol Motorized Matt White 60x96in screen. New office chairs will be purchased will also be purchased due to the poor condition of the current ones. All of the new Dell laptops will contain Windows 7 software.

Technology Support

The computer lab is supported by campus technical specialists. Any issues that occur with the new computers or other equipment in the lab will be overseen by Penn State’s technology team.

Future Plans

A portion of money from the original $100,000 will be saved to put toward this computer lab in the future. For example is a computer, projector, or chair breaks, the saved money will be used to replace it.

Timeline Comment by mlk21: You may or may not have a timeline.
A proposed timeline for updating the campus computer lab follows. Dates are tentative and subject to change.

July-August 2012

Discuss and approve updating of the computer lab

August-December 2012

Notify students that the HUB computer lab will be closed during the first half of the spring semester.

January 1, 2013

Remove old equipment from computer lab

January 15, 2013

Deliver new laptops

February 1, 2013

Finish installing software on new laptops

Install projector and projector screen

February 5, 2013

Deliver office chairs

Cost Analysis Comment by mlk21: You may or may not have a budget.
This section of our proposal discusses the financial budget that Penn State University wishes to pursue in the updating of the HUB computer lab. The following figures provide a detailed summary of the cost information that will be followed by the Technology Advisory Board.

Equipment_______________________________________________________________Cost

Laptops $1,000 each x 50 = $50,000.00

Projector = $500.00

Projector Screen = $700.00

Chairs $100 each X 50 = $500.00

Software $1,000 per computer X 50 = $5,000.00

TOTAL = $56,700.00

Services_________________________________________________________________Cost

Manpower for Installation= $5,000.00

Manpower for Upkeep= $3,000.00

TOTAL= $8,000.00

GRAND TOTAL= $64,700.00

Description of Organization
Penn State University is a public research university. The University Park campus is located in State College, PA, but there are 19 other commonwealth campuses. The university was founded in 1855, and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. It is recognized as a top research institution in the U.S., and it is ranked among the top 15 public universities nationally. The university offers more than 160 majors and draws students from all over the world.

Why Help Us ? Comment by mlk21: This is a very helpful section because it anticipates and answers a question ahead of time.

Penn State University is a world class institution, and the University Park campus is strongly tied to the State College community. By receiving the donation in memory of Wayne K. Newton, we will be able to provide to our students with top of the line technology, which will give them the best possible opportunity to succeed at out university. Your generous donation for a new computer lab will resonate throughout the community, not just the campus. We believe this would be a fitting way to honor Mr. Newton and his legacy.

Conclusion Comment by mlk21: Signaling the end is helpful to the reader.
Penn State University’s Technology Advisory Board welcomes the opportunity to submit this proposal to the Committee formed in honor of Wayne K. Newton. Our proposal benefits the students of Penn state University and the community of State College. We believe that our proposal would properly honor Mr. Newton’s memory by providing our students with up to date technology to help them excel at our institution.

If any other information regarding the proposal is needed, please contact the Technology Advisory Board at Penn State University. The board is willing to meet with you to discuss the proposal.

Works Consulted Comment by mlk21: Cite your research in a Works Cited or Reference page if needed.
Mulvaney and Jolliffe. "Chapter 3: Understanding Types of Academic Writing/Proposals or

Prospectuses." Academic Writing. N.p.: Pearson, 2005. N. pag. Print.