Funding and support of the current activities of alt^I, as well as investment in the future expansion, success, and media integration are necessary in three essential areas: expert staff, production hardware and software, and continuing support of research and exploration.

Staff - The need for expert and qualified staff who are skilled in both technical competencies and in the relevant applications of technology in higher education is critical. A core function of the alt^I remains the production of high quality digital media assets that are incorporated into the operational activities of the university at a fundamental level. Quality programming, and effective integration can only be achieved by utilizing the skills, expertise, and acquired knowledge of experts in new and emerging media.

alt^I currently utilizes a dynamic mix of expertise drawn from a varied set of media related job duties and responsibilities including those of Service Professionals, Academic Professionals, Classified Staff, and Graduate Research Assistants and Students. The transition to the new model of the American university, one that critically relies on the effective and efficient application and integration of new and emerging digital media, dictates an elevation of the academic fusion between the traditional media production and academic teaching, learning, and research objectives. This will be facilitated by extending use-inspired research activities through the elevation of current staff skills in addition to the addition of Academic Professional staffing and expertise as well as further support of Graduate Research related efforts to more tightly integrate media production and academic research.

Equipment - The demands of quality digital media production and research that require specialized staffing and expertise are equally dictated and driven by the need for specialized production hardware as well. Quality output—quality knowledge capital—can only be effectively achieved and realized through quality data and input processed through quality functions and machines. Quality production and research, consistent with the scope, size, and mission of ASU as a model for the New American University, requires a significant commitment to resources in hardware, software, licensing, and support that are necessary to truly and effectively fulfill the missions of the university, with respect to digital media and knowledge creation and dissemination.

Research - In previous years the research activities of alt^I have been primarily driven by the needs and applications of externally funded research grants and projects. This continues to be a driving motivator for much of the enterprise inspired inquiry that engages the functions and activities of alt^I. However, such pursuits must also be driven centrally and internally toward effective integration of new media and new communication across the university. The global mandate that encourages teaching and research that is an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and post-disciplinary will be most effectively supported by central funding and support of such research activities.