Minutes of Meeting, 11/3/97
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. Roy Davis, Academic Computing; 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
The Council began the meeting by passing a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting (October 13, 1997) as official.
Dr. Ross reported that the subcommittee on ITAC mission and membership which he chairs has only met once and does not yet have a report to make to the ITAC. The committee, which includes members from the ITAC and the university community at-large, will meet again this week. Dr. Ross will have a more thorough report at the next ITAC meeting.
The Council then discussed the Rural Utilities System grant which Northwestern received this year to enable real-time communication and interaction with outlying schools. I-Link and TopClass software will be used to provide sophisticated synchronous and asynchronous interaction between the University and distant learners. A presentation of the technology was made on October 31. The University is in the process of identifying vendors, purchasing, and setting up equipment and software. Dr. Scheffler emphasized that faculty development and training is essential in order that faculty may maximize use of these new technologies. An additional demonstration of the equipment will take place in Sabine Parish for these purposes. Contact Dr. Scheffler for more information.
The Secretary, for her part, was then extremely eager to hear about the Board’s decisions on technology fee usage. According to Dr. Scheffler, the Board has not yet reviewed the Northwestern technology plan (NSTEP) or budget and has made no official rulings on fee expenditure. However, Dr. Webb did receive a letter from Representative William Daniel which indicated that fees may be spent on the purchase, installation, and support of computer hardware, software, and telecommunications infrastructure in addition to salaries that are directly related to the technology purchased with fees. Dr. Hall suggested that the ITAC not wait for further ruling but go ahead with our plans and definition of technology. Many Council members agreed. The Secretary asked if “going ahead” meant distributing Student Technology Fee Proposal forms. The general consensus was that it did not. Dr. Scheffler stated that in the meantime he would send out a memo to the deans to keep them informed of ITAC progress.
Dr. Cochran then asked if the University had a current inventory of all computer equipment on campus. A discussion ensued during which Dr. Hanson emphasized then need for such an inventory. Council members agreed that an inventory of equipment should be included in each College’s technology plan. Mr. Reid stated that he had a form which could be used for this purpose. Dr. Hunt moved that the ITAC recommend to the Provost that a technology inventory be a requirement of all college technology plans. Dr. Ross seconded the motion which was then passed.
Roy Davis reported on the status of the Compressed Video handbook. Ms. Darby recently sent a questionnaire to instructors to find out what they want/need to know about the system. The questionnaire will then be used to develop the training handbook.
The next discussion item pertained to LSUMC’s request to use our Compressed Video (CV) system to broadcast classes in Leesville and Alexandria. The Nursing School does allow LSUMC to use their equipment in exchange for permission for NSU faculty and students to attend LSUMC CV classes. Dr. Scheffler moved that before we allow others to use time on our MCU (the control unit which allows multiple point access to compressed video), we develop parameters which outline who can use it and when they may use it. Dr. Hanson seconded this motion which the Council passed.
Dr. Ross then provided a brief report on the EDUCOMM conference where NSU representatives saw demonstrations of the I-LINK and TopClass software which we will use here as part of the R.U.S. grant. Dr. Scheffler suggested that the University’s Resource Allocation Committee send more people to such conferences to learn from the experiences of other universities.
Phillip Gillis then provided a report on current activities within the Academic Computing department (Attachment 1). Phillip and other staff are currently waiting for the equipment which will transform academic computing into a multi-hosting environment and increase the efficiency, speed, and reliability of University computing as a whole. Phillip welcomed any comments on their activities.
Finally, Dr. Scheffler updated the ITAC on the campus lab situation stating that the Student Union lab has been wired and that new labs are being designed for Bienvenu and the Library. He then interjected a request that ITAC members consider what we need to do to make each Compressed Video site as functional as possible.
The Council agreed to meet on November 17, 10:00 a.m. and then adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,Cate Cebrowski, Secretary-Webmaster
Information Technology Advisory Council
Attachment:
Academic Computing and Rapides Foundation Grant CLDLC Progress Report
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