Minutes of Meeting, 12/08/97
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, Academic Computing*; 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
Guests: Dr. Ada jarred and Ms. Pati Threatt, Watson Library
The Council began the meeting by passing a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting (November 17, 1997) as official.
Dr. Scheffler passed out a memorandum which details the status of Academic Computing activities. He asked that questions and comments be directed to him. The Secretary of the ITAC will place this status report on the Web for all to review as soon as possible.
Dr. Scheffler then reported that President Webb indicated that the Board of Trustees may never respond to the Northwestern State Technology Enhancement Plan either favorably or unfavorably. If such is the case, suggested Scheffler, perhaps the ITAC should simply set a date to begin implementing plans and disseminating tech fee money.
At this point, Dr. Hall expressed frustration that some Colleges are already getting tech fee money, specifically, the College of Education, which received funding for additional computers this fall. Dr. Scheffler responded by saying that Academic Computing is assessing needs right now and responding with funding to (technology-related) crises on campus. (Apparently, a group of Education students marched on Dr. Webb’s office this semester demanding the equipment they needed to complete their work). Dr. Ross stated, and most agreed, that the fact that fees are being used elsewhere (e.g., in the College of Education) is a sound reason to start using the official mechanism (the forms) and allowing others to request fees.
A motion was then made, and approved, to ask Dr. Burns for his approval to disseminate the Students Technology Fee Request Forms. The committee which developed the form will draft a cover letter to accompany it and, with Dr. Burns blessing, the forms will available at the beginning of next semester.
The group briefly discussed the technology plans of individual Colleges. The Library and the College of Nursing are the only Colleges to have completed the required three-year plan at this time. Dr. Scheffler reminded the group that all requests for student tech fee money must be in line with College technology plans; that is, a staff or faculty member may not submit a request if his/her college has no plan. He also stated that, at some point, the ITAC will review all College tech plans. The issue of upgrading faculty computers was mentioned at this moment and all agreed that this was an appropriate subject for the tech plans to address. This discussion led directly into Dr. Scheffler’s report on the Academic Computing budget proposal which is currently in the works. Dr. Scheffler stated that there may be some money in this budget for faculty computer upgrades.
Returning to an earlier topic, Ms. Cebrowski suggested that the Spring 1998 Faculty Institute may be an appropriate time to announce the availability of the Student Tech Fee Request Forms to faculty. The ITAC, especially its student members, will still have to determine how to get the information to students and staff. Dr. Hall replied that disseminating the forms to the Deans and Department Heads may be communication enough.
Ms. Cebrowski and Ms. Threatt then presented the Library’s Dynamic Education Network (DEN) Proposal, a three-year initiative to elevate the level of technology in all campus libraries. A library committee prepared the proposal in response to a request from Academic Computing to have a proposal ready when student tech fees become available. There was some discussion on certain aspects of the proposal including the need for ADA-accessible equipment and the benefits that the proposal, if funded, will bring to branch campuses. The proposal was tabled until the next meeting when the group can discuss it in greater detail. Ms. Cebrowski will send copies of the proposal to ITAC members who were absent. Ms. Thomas said that she would mention the proposal to the SGA which was holding a meeting that evening.
Ms. A. Thomas asked when the Union lab will open and Dr. Scheffler replied that it should be up by the beginning of next semester.
The group then discussed when to meet again. All agreed that a new meeting schedule will have to be devised for next semester. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 7, at 10:00 a.m., Kyser 220.
Two final points were mentioned: 1) that the ITAC will discuss the Library proposal at the next meeting and 2) that Academic Computing is hiring an additional staff member.
Dr. Scheffler called for adjournment at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cate Cebrowski, Secretary-Webmaster, Information Technology Advisory Council
Attachment:
1) Academic Computing Status Report
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