Dear XXX:

     

    It is my pleasure to write in support of the USATLAS Tier 2C data center proposal submitted by the ATLAS group at the University of Michigan. All of the institutional cyberinfrastucture initiatives described in the proposal are funded completely or in part by my office, the Associate Provost for Academic, Information, and Instructional Technology Affairs. Specifically, we are currently spending approximately $4 million per year on cyberinfrastructure projects and I anticipate maintaining this level of funding over the five year lifetime of the Tier 2C center.

    In particular, the Tier 2C center can count on continuing support from my office for advanced networking, such as the recent creation of the Michigan Light Rail (MiLR) link through the purchase of three fiber pairs to Chicago. Similarly, the Tier 2C center can count on my office to provide resources for development and deployment of innovative collaboration and learning environments, such as Michigan’s leadership of the Sakai open source software effort. Finally, the Tier 2C center can count on my office to support development and use of novel cyberinfrastructure applications, such as through:

    ·   the Michigan Grid Research and Infrastructure Development (MGRID) center – which focuses on the implementation and use of production computational and data grids;

    ·   the Connection Project – which focuses on the implementation and use of advanced video technology to build life-sized and persistent connections between meeting rooms and public spaces;

    ·   the Digital Asset Management System – which focuses on educational use of diverse content and media, including creation and storage of content across heterogeneous repositories with appropriate rights management.

    To conclude, I am excited by the potential of the Tier 2C center, and my office is committed to making the ongoing cyberinfrastructure investments that will make the Michigan Tier 2C center successful.

     

       Sincerely,

               

       James Hilton
       Associate Provost of Academic, Information, and Instructional Technology Affairs

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