This year Brooklyn College installed the Interactive Fund Accounting System (IFAS), an efficient, electronic financial system that, when fully implemented, will give immediate online access to such financial data as purchase requisitions and funding sources.

A $9 million electronic campus project is dramatically expanding the college’s communications ability. Two hundred miles of fiber-optic cable and two hundred fifty miles of copper wiring will link all faculty and staff and all laboratories and class rooms to campus computer resources and voice, data, and video services. By migrating from a mainframe to a network of server platforms, including an HP 9000 UNIX server with Novell/Ethernet/Token Ring connectivity, a Microsoft SQL server operating on Windows NT, Apple Work group Servers, and SUN UNIX servers, the college added flexibility to its computing resources. The network provides a departure point to the World Wide Web, and the college’s web site keeps students informed about campus happenings.

Through the Student Information Management System, installed in 1993, transcripts are readily available, and registration has been streamlined, introducing touch-tone telephone registration. All faculty members and students will soon have e-mail addresses through the system.

In 1994, Brooklyn College opened the Learning Center, which houses a state-of-the-art computer laboratory to help students acquire vital study skills. Impressive results are also being achieved through peer tutors-students helping other students succeed.

The Starr English-as-a-Second-Language Lab, opened in 1995, explores innovative teaching methodologies for a multilingual environment. This center brings together faculty and tutors involved with ESL and creates new uses of computers and multimedia in ESL instruction.

The college has made many changes to meet the scheduling needs of students. The evening program was restructured in 1993. For the first time, the college offered courses that meet one night per week. In 1994, the college began offering two summer sessions, with special attention to courses in the core curriculum. A year-long pilot program in 1995-96 resulted in the establishment of a Weekend College.

Wellness and health care have also become major themes on campus. In 1993, the Brooklyn College Fitness Center was established, and the student-initiated Brooklyn College Health Clinic was opened in 1994. In 1995, the college reentered the National Collegiate Athletics Association, fielding nine teams in Division III.

In 1993, the college launched a Total Quality Management program called BcQuESTT to ensure continued quality service to students and faculty. Successful projects have been completed in the library, student records, personnel, facilities, and central depository.

A vibrant intramural sports program involving more than 600 students in basketball, volleyball, tennis, touch football, and other sports led to renewed Brooklyn College participation in the NCAA Division III. In 1996, the newly created men’s volleyball team won first place in the Bard Tournament.

In 1994, President Lattin created an office to coordinate the college’s affirmative action, compliance, and diversity efforts. One project has been the expansion of the Mamie and Frank Goldstein Resource Center, which includes closed-captioned television, large-print computer monitors, Braille keyboards, and other adaptive equipment.