Members Present: Others Present: Richard Crosby, Chairperson John Sharp Zella Boulware Kathy Hughes Stuart Chalk Bob Jones Andrew Farkas Dan Wastchak Doug Covey Alison Cruess Jeff Michelman Lance Taylor Joan Campbell Tom Erdal (rep. Judy Perkin) Bruce Kavan Tom Serwatka John VennThe University Technology Committee was convened by Chairperson Crosby at 10:35 a.m.
The Minutes from the July 26, 1999 meeting will be posted to the Web Page reflecting the demos held at that time.
Chairperson Crosby stated that this is the 5th year of the University Technology Committee and that he will be planning a celebration for April 2000.Changes in membership include the following: Bruce Kavan is welcomed back to the UTC (he was a charter member) in his capacity as Chairperson of the Academic Technology and Support Services Committee. Tom Robertson replaces Doug Covey as the new Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Stuart Chalk and Zella Boulware return as faculty at-large representatives. Donna Mohr and Jeff Michelman remain as members. Tom Erdal is attending today representing Judy Perkin (who is the new Associate Dean in the College of Health, replacing Martha Rader). Tom Serwatka has replaced Bill Wilson as the new Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and John Venn will be the new College of Education & Human Services representative. Jerry Merckel replaces Susan Wallace in the College of Computing Sciences & Engineering. Chairperson Crosby will be in contact with Alex Diaz regarding 1999-2000 student membership. Joann Campbell stated that Provost Kline has requested that when David Jaffe (new Director of the Faculty Enhancement Center) comes on board, that he attend UTC meetings.
The 7% allocation for 1999-2000 totals $1,019,000. This is now a permanent allocation to be used following the original criteria as follows: upgrade computer labs and Help Desk; improve quality of classroom instruction/CIRT; extend computer lab hours; and access information highway/Internet. Chairperson Crosby stated that we would have to request future increases since we will not automatically get them as enrollment grows. Kathy Hughes will provide the UTC members with the following information: disbursements from last year; recurring costs and the 1999-2000 budget.
The currency allocation for 1999-2000 totals $337,000. Of that, $125,000 is recurring. However, this allocation now encompasses currency replacement of central site equipment in addition to faculty and staff desktop computers. Chairperson Crosby stated that major issues for the next couple of years would be to increase the total amount as well as the recurring amount commensurate with appropriate replacement plans.Jeff Michelman raised a question as to when a schedule for 1999-2000 currency will be available (as to what resources are going to be available and when). Kathy Hughes will be able to have an inventory done by October 15th. She said that all Pentium 90's and below should be off the network and the next phase will include 133's and 100's (since they provide a problem in running Office 2000). She also stated that typically there is a purchase in December and another one again in March. Stuart Chalk had also requested the following by email: "Have the criteria for deciding what computers should be replaced by currency money been worked out yet? If not I would like to be involved in that process from the Macintosh side."
We did not receive an allocation for 1999-2000. All requests in the future will be to expand the current network on campus.
This project was funded late in 1998-99 from various sources. This connection is for email and Internet accesses only. Currently Osprey Landing has connected 450 rooms, with Osprey Hall and Osprey Cove due to come on line in Spring 2000. The connection for Osprey Village is still in the planning stages.
For the first time in over ten years, Computing Services has received two new positions to support administrative systems. These will assist in modernizing access to these systems with emphasis on access through the web.
At the end of the 1999-2000 budget process, this was not funded from university-wide resources; however, Academic Affairs provided the funding early in the new fiscal year. Because of this, construction began late, but the classroom should be up and running by next week (if all parts that have been ordered are delivered). The room has 26 PC=s and an overhead projector. The HVAC upgrade will not be installed until the end of the term.
Table for now.
Table for now.
Chairperson Crosby stated that the UTC had a successful year in 1998-99; however, he said the group needs to be more focused in terms of process (i.e., not getting too far in front of or behind the budget process). He said that it's very important to provide timely information to the Provost and VP for Administration & Finance.
Lance Taylor stated that there have been problems with the network over the last several months (including the 1-week outage). Computing Services brought in a consultant who reported that UNF has built a complex network that needs to be stabilized. One of his recommendations is to go to a central operating system. Bruce Kavan requested a copy of the report, which Kathy Hughes will provide to the UTC members. Also requested is how Computing Services plans to undertake these recommendations.
Chairperson Crosby stated that this is really priority #1 and includes: Faculty Enhancement Center (FEC), CIRT, WebCT and Lotus Notes Pilot. Joann Campbell reported that the new Director of the Faculty Enhancement Center (David Jaffe) would be on board in January. Therefore, the FEC is in a holding pattern until he can be involved. She also stated that Marjory Templeton=s CIRT position has been Aloaned@ to Administration & Finance until next year to put more emphasis on the network. Diane Tanner is currently in CIRT as a faculty fellow and it should be up and running next week (Campus Update will provide information on opening and hours). Fred Elliott has also been moved to CIRT on a part-time basis. Joann also stated that it is very important to articulate the value we are getting for the funding provided.Kathy Hughes reported that there are currently 45 courses utilizing web-enhancement tools. They have moved WebCT and the Syllabus Abstract to the UNIX Dec Alpha. She also stated that Ida Gropper has coordinated some small group training sessions on WebCT.
Jeff Michelman reported that there is a server in the College of Education with 25 Lotus Notes licenses on it. He stated that there is currently no Aexpertise@ and that both Fred Sudler and Joe Lynch are in the process of getting trained. Tom Serwatka stated that consultants from the University of Georgia and University of Nebraska would be assisting with this.
Chairperson Crosby stated that we are probably pushing the limits of our current network (especially with 1,600 new ports in Housing, a new Fine Arts Building & Engineering Building coming on board within the next 5 years, and staff offices located in the new Soccer/Track Stadium). He stated that our limit might be as close as 1-1/2 years out. Bob Jones questioned whether the Technology Park will be part of UNF=s network and Chairperson Crosby was not certain. Tom Serwatka asked if we had been looking at other universities 3 to 4 times our size to see what they had been doing. Lance reported that he had looked at what other SUS institutions have been doing.
Chairperson Crosby stated that this includes on-line registration on the web, payment by credit cards, looking at grades, fee assessment, etc. Deb Kaye will be attending the next Associate Deans= meeting to talk about this.
Chairperson Crosby stated that we have built a major network, however, we have not put a lot of resources into security. Jeff Michelman raised an issue of controlling inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Lance Taylor will check with the other SUS institutions to see if they have addressed this issue. Lance will also provide the URL for the Computer and Network Use Policy to the UTC members by email.
Lance Taylor reported that this is currently being implemented in Enrollment Services and the Controller's Office. A demo will be planned for UTC at a future meeting.
Chairperson Crosby put these issues on the agenda to get conversation going. Several of these issues could require an Action Team. Jeff Michelman stated that in addition to the items listed above, a discussion on Data Mining Software and the future of statistical reporting needs an Action Team.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon.