Minutes of Meeting, 10/13/97
Attendance:
Ms. Joyce Barnes, Leesville SGA*; Dr. Terry Bechtel, Business; Dr. Alvin Brossette, Continuing Education*; Ms. Cate Cebrowski, Watson Library; Dr. Betsy Cochran, Scholar’s College; Ms. Juanita Darby, Leesville Campus; Mr. Phillip Gillis, Academic Computing; Dr. Thomas Hanson, Graduate School*; Mr. Thomas Hall, Science & Technology; Mr. Eddie Horton*; Dr. Sally Hunt, Education; Mr. Creighton Owen, Leesville Campus; Ms. Susan Pierce, Nursing; Mr. Craig Poleman, CenLA Campus; Mr. Steve Reid, Computer Center; Dr. Garry Ross, Language and Communication; Mr. Lucas Shaw, Natchitoches SGA*; Dr. Anthony Scheffler, Chair, Academic Computing; Ms. Alicia Thomas, Natchitoches SGA*; Ms. LaTonja Thomas, Shreveport SGA *Absent
Guest(s): Mr. Roy Davis, Academic Computing; Dr. Leeann Sticker, Leesville Campus
Old Business
Dr. Ross moved to accept the minutes of the September 29 meeting. Ms. Pierce seconded the motion which the Council then passed. Dr. Scheffler requested that the Secretary send hard copies of all official minutes to his office for inclusion in the Council’s files.
Dr. Scheffler reported that the University sent the revised Northwestern State Technology Enrichment Plan (NSTEP) to the Board of Regents along with an annotated budget. The NSTEP will be considered in the Board’s next meeting which will be held at the end of the month. Scheffler added that NSU is well ahead of other universities in its planning efforts. (Now we must wait for the Board to catch up!) Until the plan and budget are approved the Council cannot do much (i.e., cannot spend money). However, 100 computers have been ordered for the new labs on each campus. Since we cannot buy furniture until the budget is approved, individual campuses must make do with the furniture that they have when the computers arrive.
Dr. Scheffler then asked for ongoing comments from the University community on the latest version of the NSTEP. The revision now includes specific action plans and is meant to be a dynamic document. The technology plans of the individual colleges will be attached to the NSTEP. Council members should share the NSTEP with their colleagues and solicit constructive feedback. Faculty, staff, and students may send comments to Dr. Scheffler via e-mail (scheffler@alpha.nsula.edu).
The Council agreed not to distribute the Student Fee Allocation Request Form to the University community at this time. We will wait for further clarification on fee expenditure from the Board in order to decrease confusion regarding the forms and applications for funding. However, Council members should let people know about the forms as a mechanism for allocating student fees.
Dr. Hall requested additional comments on the Innovation Grant Proposals. Since the Council now has some time to play with (as we wait on the Board), Dr. Hall said that his subcommittee would gladly accept and incorporate additional comments into the Innovation Grant proposals.
New Business
As mentioned above, the University ordered computers for a new lab on each campus. The computers will be delivered to each campus within the next several weeks. Dr. Scheffler said that the main campus can send assistance to branch campuses for installation, if needed. Ms. L. Thomas asked if support services will be in place for students using the new labs. Dr. Scheffler replied that the Council does not yet know if student fee money can be spent on salaries. Ms. Cebrowski asked for clarification on this subject and Dr. Scheffler’s response was that each campus will be responsible for providing lab support using their current resources.
Mr. Gillis gave an overview of the University Intranet. In cooperation with the Computer Center, he has completed the first two phases of the project which include identification of equipment and addressing infrastructure and delivery issues. Phase three involves the planning of actual Intranet content. Mr. Gillis expects that the users will help to determine content. The beta version of the Intranet will be available soon in order to show the capabilities of the Intranet to users. Ms. L. Thomas asked Mr. Gillis to clarify what the Intranet is and what benefits it will bring to students. Mr. Gillis stated that the Intranet serves as an enhanced avenue for communication and information. It will replace the current NSU webpage and allow for more interactive information access. For example, students will be able to access their records from campus kiosks connected via the Intranet. Mr. Gillis said that NSU is the first university in the state to be developing this type of Intranet. Dr. Scheffler reminded the Council that this project is made possible with funding from the Rapides Foundation. In other grant-related news, the University recently received a grant from Rural Utilities to fund video capabilities over the Internet.
Juanita Darby of the Leesville campus currently is editing a handbook to train instructors in the use of the compressed video system. Mr. Poleman suggested that workshops be held for this purpose as well. Dr. Scheffler solicited comments on the compressed video system from all Council members. LSU has asked to use our system. We must ensure that we are getting all of the time we need out of it before we allow others to use it. Dr. Scheffler also mentioned that the C.V. system is out of warranty and is essentially unprotected. The University cannot afford the $50,000/year maintenance fee at this time. This Council may be asked for input on C.V. system policies at a later date.
The Council discussed the academic technology support infrastructure, noting that this is a perennial crisis on campus due to the lack of personnel and money. Dr. Scheffler stated that before we use student technology fee money for personnel we will need to have well-defined plans and position descriptions. A separate group meets on October 14 to discuss options and plans for the future in regards to technology support personnel. Decisions made by that committee will be considered for approval by the ITAC. Dr. Scheffler solicited comments from the Council on the subject of personnel. Dr. Hall suggested that the people who discuss and develop a support infrastructure use Objective #6 of the NSTEP as a starting point (see attachment, page 14).
Garry Ross volunteered to lead the committee which will define the organizational structure, mission, and membership guidelines of the Council. The Council accepted his offer. Dr. Scheffler reminded the Council that subcommittee members need not be Council members.
The Council will continue to meet every other Monday at 10:00 a.m. The next meeting will take place on October 27 in Kyser 220. Dr. Scheffler asked that Council members send him agenda items. Topics may include anything that the Council wishes to communicate to the Provost.
The Council adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,Cate Cebrowski, Secretary-Webmaster
Information Technology Advisory Council
Attachment:
Revised Northwestern State Technology Enrichment Plan
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