Minutes of Meeting, 4/12/99
Attendance:
Ms Susan Pierce, Nursing (Chair)
Mr. Tom Hall, Science & Technology
Mr. Deron Thaxton, Systems Administrator
Mr. Tracy Brown, Network Administrator
Mr. Luke Dowden, SGA
Ms. Vanessa Byrd, NSU Student
Dr. Anthony Scheffler, Academic Computing/Computer Center Director
Mr. Rocky Perritt, NSU Student
Ms. Courtney Gillan, NSU Student
Dr. Bob Gillan, TEC-ETEC
Ms Susan White, Business
Ms. Dominique Hallett, Watson Library
Dr. Ray Wallace, Language & Communications
Ms Sandra Mixon, General College
Mr. Eddie Horton, Title III
Ms Peggy Emmons, Cenla Campus
Mr. Roy Davis, Academic Computing
Ms Marsha Zulick
Ms Juanita Darby
Absent: Ms Joyce Barnes, Ms Melanie Bedgood, Mr. Phillip Gillis, Mr. Shawn Hornsby, Mr. Dennis Kalina, Dr. James Picht, and Ms Mary Edith Stacy
The Information Technology Advisory Council met on Monday, April 12, 1999 at 10:00 am in Kyser Hall Room 429.
Mrs. Pierce called the meeting to order and requested approval of the March meeting’s minutes. Dr Gillan made the motion to approve the minutes as posted and Ms. Hallett seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Dr. Scheffler was asked to give an update on the "fourth lab" which is planed to be a late hour lab. He stated that location he felt most suitable was in the Health and PE Major’s Building. This location was chosen to supply students located in that portion of the campus accesses to an up to date lab. It was also chosen for its security features, and the few modifications needed to install the new lab. The motion to utilize the Health building location was carried.
Dr. Scheffler was also asked to give a "budget status report" on the partially funded proposals from the December meeting. He reported that we have $40,000.00 of partially funded projects and $28,000.00 left to fund these projects. Ms. Hallett made a motion to accept the report as read and Mrs. White seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Dr. Gillan was asked to come to ITAC in search of funds for the reaccredidation efforts of the College of Education’s degree programs. He handed out a "Student Technology Fee Allocation Request Form" filled out with all the essential information, a memo from John Tollett, Dean, a report to faculty concerning technology short falls, and spec sheets for the 25 computers they wish to buy. Dr. Gillan explained that if the College of Education lost its accreditation that it could be a big embarrassment for the University, especially since 25% of the student body are Education students. Furthermore, he said that reaccredidation is much easier to obtain than losing it and then have to get it back from scratch.
During the discussion, several members brought up the question "Isn't this a University problem?" An another question raised was, "Will this lab be open to all students?". Dr. Gillan explained that this lab will be for classroom use only, but it will still server 25% of the student body. Mr. Dowden has a big problem funding this lab for several reasons. First, it will not be a general use lab. Secondly, he feels that the University and not ITAC should fund this. After discussions, Mr. Hall motions that we do not fund Dr. Gillan's proposal. Seconded by Ms. Hallett. One no vote, one abstain vote, yes carries, motion approved.
Mr. Dowden feels strongly about some type of user agreement for ITAC must be composed. Dr. Scheffler agrees and thinks a sub-committee of 3-4 people should be formed to complete the task. The committee members chosen for the sub-committee are Dr. Scheffler, Mr. Dowden, Mr. Hall, and Ms. Hallett. The sub-committee is to report at the next meeting.
Mr. Thaxton once again brought his student dial-up and email system proposal before the committee. He has been doing some research on what other campuses across the state have been doing for there student dial-up. He reported that four out of five "outsource" the service, with three of those costing the students to a usage fee. If we can get 5,000 students to sign-up the monthly cost to the student would be $11.95. This solution will end-up costing the University more money than providing the service our selves.
Ms. White asked "Should we be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for our students?" Mr. Hall among other members thinks we should be. Mr. Dowden wondered where the University was heading Compressed Video (CV) or Internet courses. If Internet courses were to be phased out with the CV system then we should not be an ISP. Ms. Mixon stated the form her experience students wanted "big ticket" items, and this sounds like a good one.
The committee decided to wait on the "user agreement" policy the sub-committee was to work on, before making a final decision on the new student system. Mr. Thaxton added that a decision must me made soon in order to have the system functional before the fall semester begins.
Mr. Dowden asked about CV maintenance contract agreements. Mr. Brown explained the different contracts and cost of each.
Dr. Scheffler added, the members should think about how we can enforce our policies for the next meeting. This planning could prevent a possible audit issue in the future.
The next meeting will be held on April 26, 1999 at 10:00 am.
With no other business, the council was adjourned at 11:15 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Rocky Perritt, Acting Secretary, Guest of the Information Technology Advisory Council
