MINUTES

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COUNCIL (ITAC)

Wednesday, October 3, 2001

The Information Technology Advisory Council met at 3:05 p.m., Wednesday October 3, 2001, in Room 122 of Russell Hall. Members present were Juanita Darby—NSU/Fort Polk, Frank Fuller—Education, Tom Hall—IET, Gail Kwak—Watson Library, Jim McCrory—Information Systems, Creighton Owen—NSU/Fort Polk, Susan Pierce—Nursing/Shreveport, Dan Seymour—Student Affairs, Mark Thompson—Creative and Performing Arts, and Anthony Scheffler—Dean of Information Systems, Chair. Student members present were Stacie Cosby and Dustin Floyd. Guest present was Tracy Brown—Head of Telecommunications, Information Systems.

Dr. Scheffler told the Council that the Minutes from the September meeting would not be available for approval until the next time ITAC met. He then introduced Mr. Tracy Brown who gave a presentation from the Office of Telecommunications.

Mr. Brown elaborated on the basic function of his office. His presentation consisted of information concerning technical support and data networking including Bandwidth (speed of connections) and network funding sources. He stated that 10 years earlier network reliability was extremely slow; however, since that time most buildings on campus have been upgraded and plans to complete the remaining buildings are underway.

He listed the four main sources of funding for telecommunications as University funds, State funds, student tech fees and grants.

Dr. Seymour asked why 911 access was not yet available on campus. He said that students and their parents are concerned about safety and emergency procedures.

Mr. Brown explained that there was not an accurate floor plan of campus buildings and dorms available through the Physical Plant, which is needed prior to 911 access and that all streets must be readdressed. Plans are being made to have personnel from the Post Office and Physical Plant begin progressing toward 911 access in the near future.

Mr. Brown told the Council that if anyone would like to obtain voice mail for their office telephones they should contact his office. Voice mail is now available and may be installed on most phones on campus. It was suggested that a memo be sent to inform personnel that this service is available.

Dr. Mark Thompson gave an update on the revisions for NSTEP Plan. He stated that no major revisions have been made on the Plan since it was written in 1998 so there is no direct guidance as to what needs to be done today. He suggested that the final two years of this five-year plan be rewritten and then write three additional years to update the document to make it a “new” five-year plan. Year five should be expanded to include what goals the committee wishes to accomplish.

There was discussion concerning budgetary approvals for spending that should be presented to the ITAC. There was a suggestion that Dr. Scheffler should gain a seat on the Planning and Resource Council, because the Chair of the ITAC should also be a member of Planning and Resource.

Dr. Frank Fuller made a motion that the Council submit a letter to the President informing him that the ITAC committee will be available to receive technology requests for Recurring and Non-Recurring Enhancement proposals around November 1. The motion was seconded.

Next meeting is set for Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 3:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 4:35.