Memo

Date: October 26, 2010

To: Talis Colberg, Harlan Harmon
From: Daniel Gagnon, Britney Jenkin, and Jason Warta
Subject: LED Digital Sign for Matsu College

Purpose
The purpose of this proposal is to request authorization for funding to research the feasibility of installing
a LED digital sign at the E. College Drive and Trunk Road interchange.

Summary

Matanuska- Susitna College has provided Alaskans with opportunities to further their education
for 53 years. Our central location, in the valley between Palmer and Wasilla, has made it possible for
people from all over Alaska to become enrolled in courses offered at Matanuska-Susitna College.
    Over the past 40 years the valley has seen a rise in population, but the percentage of people in the
valley that are attending Mat-Su College has stayed the same. Other colleges in the area have responded
to the rise in population by revising their marketing campaigns, some have even put up digital signs to
advertise their location and what they offer on their campus.
    Due to the rise of enrollment, that colleges putting up signs have experienced, we are proposing
the installment of a new LED sign at the Trunk/East College Drive intersection. We are hoping that this
will increase the enrollment at Mat-Su College.
    To perform this research and present a report on our findings, we estimate that the work will
require a total of 60 hours of research, with a maximum budget of $1080.
If you accept this proposal, we will start our research immediately, and have a completed report
ready to submit to you by December 2, 2010. This report will include the details of our research and a
recommendation for the feasibility of our proposal.

Introduction

Mat-Su College has been serving the education goals of members of the community for the past
53 years. As technology and educational programs have evolved, so has the college and the
community around it.
Statistics show that over the past…
We are seeking approval for funding to research whether or not it would be financially feasible
to install a LED sign at the East College Drive/Trunk Road interchange. This would increase
awareness within the community of courses offered at Mat-Su College.
There is currently no sign, and even as attending students, we were unaware of the full spectrum
of classes offered. Mat-Su College has unique programs like the Alternative Energy Certification
Program that most community members are unaware of.
As you know, any successful business relies heavily on its marketing staff and tools to advertise
and draw attention to potential customers. In the case of Mat-Su College, potential customers are
any person living within the valley that is interested in pursuing higher education.
To perform this research and present a report on our findings, we estimate 60 hours over the next
month for a total cost of $1080. Our research team consists of Daniel Gagnon, Britney Jenkin, and
Jason Warta. If you accept this proposal we would begin research immediately, submitting our
first progress report on  and our completion report on . The completion report would include the
details of our research and our recommendation on whether or not it is financially feasible to
install a LED sign.

Proposed Tasks
We propose to complete the following tasks to determine the best course of action in addressing the
feasibility of installing a digital sign at the College Drive and Trunk Road intersection.

1. Investigate college enrollment in conjunction with census trends in other Alaskan

communities.

We secure enrollment data from other community/satellite colleges across Alaska and the census
information from those boroughs.  We will compare those statistics to similar statistics from
Matsu College, to determine if our college is below average for enrollment in Alaska colleges.

2. Investigate relationships between the use of a digital sign for advertising and increase in
business/enrollment.

We will talk to other colleges and determine how the addition of a digital sign improved their
enrollment.  Colleges to be contacted will include the Charter College locations in Alaska,
Wayland Baptist University, the UAA Eagle River campus, and the UAA main campus, as well
as UAF and UAS satellite campuses.  We will attempt to identify a direct relationship between
the use of a digital sign in advertising, and increased enrollment. Statistical proof of this
relationship will provide a basis for our cause.

3. Research various regulations and permits needed to put up a sign along a public road.

To determine potential restrictions on sign placement, and special permits that may be required to
place a sign along a public road; we will use the Matsu Borough and City of Palmer websites to
determine the permits needed. We will also contact said local governments as necessary to
determine additional requirements.

4. Identify characteristics by which to identify various types of digital signs.

We will research various types of signs, and identify the characteristics we deem necessary for a
sign advertising Matsu College. Some characteristics we have already determined include full
color, to allow for better and more attractive advertising; and a large size, to be best read from the
road.

5. Evaluate sign types by the identified necessary characteristics.

 We will use the characteristics we have determined to research the possibilities available to
locally purchase a sign, and get quotes for a sign of the desired characteristics. If such a sign is
not available locally, we will expand our search to the internet.

6. Write a recommendation report.

We will prepare a report explaining the problem(s) that created the need for this research;
recommending the specific sign we have decided on; the approximate cost of the sign; and
explanations of why we chose the sign we did, and how we arrived at the cost estimate. The
report will be submitted on December 2, 2010.

Schedule
Task Date of Tasks (by weeks)
Task 1: Investigate enrollment trends
Task 2: Research Impact of a digital sign
Task 3: Research regulations and permits
Task 4: Identify sign characteristics
Task 5: Evaluate sign types
Task 6: Write recommendatin report
1 8 15 22 29
November

Experience

TSgt USAF (Retired) Daniel P Gagnon. My experience comes from 3 1/2 years as Air Force
Enlisted Accessions Recruiter in Hartford CT. I was responsible for marketing the U.S Air Force
to potential applicants through radio, TV stations, local newspapers, monthly high school visits
at 17 local schools, and college visits at 6 four-year universities and 2 community colleges.

My name is Britney Jenkin. My experience comes from being a Full-time student at Matanuska-Susitna
College. I have been attending Mat-Su College since the fall semester of 2008. I have seen the college
evolve throughout the years and am looking forward to seeing it change some more in the future.  Due to
the extensive amount of time that I have spent on this campus I know how the college works and what
departments would be the most helpful to us. I am also an employee of the college so I know many of the
people personally that could help us with our research.

Jason Warta.  As a full time student at Matsu College since fall 2009, I have seen the need for the college
to expand the courses offered.  As a member of another independent project whose goal is to expand
Matsu College by the addition of a new building, I know many people who would be able to help this
project.  Additionally, as an employee of Matsu College, I know other people whose influence is
important for the success of this project.
Budget
Name Hours Rate Cost
Daniel Gagnon 20 18 $360
Britney Jenkin 20 18 $360
Jason Warta 20 18 $360
60 54 $1,080