MINUTES

UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

April 17, 2000

 

Members Present:                          Others Present:

Richard Crosby, Chairperson               Joann Campbell

Tom Serwatka, Vice Chairperson            Kathy Hughes

Zella Boulware                            Bob Jones

Tom Erdal (rep. Judy Perkin)              Scott Runnion

Andrew Farkas                             Fred Sudler                        

Jeff Michelman                            Lance Taylor

Donna Mohr                                Tony Turrin

Jerry Merckel                            

Tom Robertson

 

 

Chairperson Crosby convened the University Technology Committee (UTC) meeting at 10:30 a.m. in the Academic Affairs Conference Room.

 

1.    Minutes

Crosby announced that the minutes from the April 3, 2000 meeting were being prepared and would be distributed.

 

2.                Announcements

There were no announcements.

 

3.                Distance Learning Action Team Report

Tom Serwatka reported that the action team is considering two significant issues: 1) faculty incentives for developing distance learning courses and 2) replacement of current University-wide DL software product (WebCT) with Blackboard.  There was lengthy discussion on the second issue with focus on a) the impact this would have on implementation of Lotus Learning Space in the College of Business Administration and b) the need for a head to head comparison of the latest release of WebCT (beta due out in June) and the current release of Blackboard.

 

4.                7% Budget

The latest version of the proposed 7% budget for fiscal year 2000-2001 was reviewed.  The committee approved the budget as submitted.  Crosby requested that the Associate Deans review the unallocated $2,000 in OPS and make a recommendation as to how this should be allocated.

 

5.                Currency

Zella Boulware stated a potential need to accelerate replacement schedule for teaching stations in computer classrooms.  These are on the same three year replacement cycle as all other desktop computers.  Crosby asked Fred Sudler about the replacement schedule for projection equipment in the College of Business Administration.  Sudler said that in discussions with vendors, the useful life of the installed projectors is four to five years.  These projectors have been in use for four years.  The currency plan was accepted by the committee.

 

6.                Mac Action Team

Stuart Chalk was absent; no report.

 

7.                Internet 2 Action Team

Lance Taylor reported that over a dozen faculty members had responded to the Internet2 Survey that was distributed last month.  He is following up with the Action Team to determine next steps in cultivating this interest.  He reported that he had attended Internet2 Day at the University of Florida but that it’s benefit was limited. 

 

8.                Network Audits

Discussion on this item was postponed in the absence of Bruce Kavan.

 

9.                Wiring Classrooms

Crosby announced that Geraldine Collins, representing the Academic Technology and Support Committee of the Faculty Association, requested information on the feasibility of providing network connections to every desktop of newly constructed and existing classrooms. Limited discussion included bandwidth limitations of wireless, cost and overall faculty needs.  Further discussion and review will be necessary.

 

10.            Wireless Connectivity Test

Kathy Hughes, David Jaffee, and Fred Sudler are preparing to conduct a test of wireless technology in the Faculty Commons area in Honors Hall. They will report on the results at a future meeting.

 

11.            Voice Over ATM Test

Kathy Hughes announced that Computing Services would be conducting a 30-60 day test of voice services over the campus ATM backbone beginning in late April or early May.  Lance Taylor reported that the COCSE labs on the 3^rd floor of the 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.