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The Fletcher Jones Foundation has granted $422,020 to �Ļ�ӰԺ to improve the computer infrastructure.

The grant will pay for an upgrade of the backbone of the college’s computer network, increasing speed and efficiency tenfold, noted Barry Cunningham, �Ļ�ӰԺ’s director of information technology.

“Technology is a vital need in education,” said John Smythe, executive director of the Fletcher Jones Foundation in Irvine. “�Ļ�ӰԺ College has demonstrated leadership in education and is highly deserving of financial assistance to expand its on-campus technology facilities for faculty and students. Fletcher Jones Foundation is honored to be a donor.”

New servers, dial-in modems and other equipment will allow the campus to increase its computer bandwidth, or capacity, allowing users to access information much faster.

Once this initial work is done, the college will seek funding for a second and third phase of a complete upgrade. The second phase will include adding multimedia capability to classrooms, providing tools for faculty to develop multimedia curriculum, and renovating �Ļ�ӰԺ’s web site. The third phase will replace individual computers in laboratories and for faculty and administrators.

“We are particularly grateful to the Fletcher Jones Foundation for this generous grant,” said President David Winter. “This Foundation is known for its sensitivity to the needs of independent colleges in Southern California and wants to ensure we have the finest learning resources available for our students.

“In fact, we are very thankful for the support �Ļ�ӰԺ is receiving these days from a number of sources, which indicates the extent to which the educational community recognizes the quality of our students and program.”

Co-founder of Computer Sciences Corp., Fletcher Jones left a substantial fortune when he died in 1972, including $30 million for the foundation.