Information Technology Committee

Minutes

November 1, 1999

Present: Lowell Ballard, Max Bassett, Arnold Bradford, Sue Hintz, Tom Butler, Gen Chu, Gail Kettlewell, Alison Baker (chair), Dan Riley, Steven Sachs, Judd Sage, John Sener, Lionel Sylvas, Carol Turner, Charlotte Wilhelmi, Dave Williams for Barbara Wyles   Absent: Neil Reynolds   Visitors: Evelyn Potts, Sushama Rath, Cathy Simpson  
  1. Minutes Approved

    2. Minutes of the October 4, 1999, ITC Meeting were approved.
     
  2. Web Portals

    3. Dr. Sachs discussion of the College's position on web portals was deferred to the next meeting. Dr. Sachs will distribute additional information on this topic.
     
  3. Technology Planning for 2000-2001
Dr. Sachs led a discussion of VCCS technology expectations and directions from proposed funding initiatives to support technology. Members of the ITC identified priorities that should be addressed in the NVCC Technology Plan for 2000-2001. These are:
  1. Review all technology positions, including labs for pay equity.
  2. Increase staff, especially supervisors, to increase hours of access.
  3. Increase technical support.
  4. Increase bandwidth to Ravensworth
  5. SIS, AIS Implementation
  6. Implement Resource25
  7. Create line-item in budget to purchase discipline-related software for groups of faculty
  8. Purchase classroom presentation equipment
  9. Upgrade infrastructure to a switched network environment of high-speed ethernet
  10. Allow choice of computers
  11. Implement some thin client computing to provide access to Office 2000 and replace terminals
  12. Deal with People Soft implementation issues
  13. Develop a plan and implement improved phone service
  14. Fully implement and improve voice mail
  15. Establish accountability for each item in the Technology Plan (do not just allocate funds)
  16. Identify academic goals and priorities to be addressed (do not just allocate funds)
  17. Provide Medical Education Campus network connection
  18. Upgrade campus servers, provide tape juke boxes, and create adequate server rooms
  19. Provide SIS training and backfill during implementation
  20. Provide recurring and on-going training for faculty in using technology in classroom instruction (may include mentoring)
  21. Provide application development support staff
  22. Develop and implement new employee training (suggest it be part of HR budget)
  23. Include a visioning piece that will get people to see future options
  1. TLTR/CITG Mission Distinctions
The ITC discussed the roles and missions of the TLTRs and CITGs. The TLTR focus is on use of technology in the classroom to improve teaching and learning. The CITG focus is broader and goes beyond the use of technology in the classroom. They have more of a management focus. Some campuses have both TLTRs and CITGs, some have only TLTRs. The consensus of the ITC was that it is a local campus issue and that it is up to the campus to choose which group is represented on the College ITC when both groups exist on the campus. However, the TLTRs do not necessarily want to get involved in non-instructional policy issues. Since the ITC often delegates tasks to the campuses, those TLTRs on campuses without a CITG may have to deal with non-instructional issues.
  1. Email Distribution List Procedure

    2. The ITC decided that there would not be system blocks on access to the "All Faculty and Staff" on a campus. Use of this "All" category is limited to those who receive prior permission of the Provost. If someone wants to sent something to the entire college or to more than one campus, they must contact each Provost separately for permission or one of the College Deans or President. The Deans and President are the only ones who can authorize sending to the entire college mailing list.
     
  2. Updates

    3. TSS: Mr. Ballard reported on voice mail. Messages can now be retrieved by phone, with a notice that there is a message being sent by email. TSS is also buying additional headphones for those who want their messages delivered through their PC. These will be sent to IT Managers for distribution. IT Managers received tape back-up units to allow them to back up campus servers locally. TSS can only do it centrally every few days because of the volume.

    TAC: Mrs. Simpson reported that the College web site is being updated behind the pages to improve functioning. The compressed video web site is now up and running.

    Programming: Mrs. Rath reported that installation of the Resource25 scheduling software is in process. There is a new web application that will show all sections with less than a specified enrollment. The user can specify the enrollment cutoff desired.

    Dr. Sachs reported that the System-wide kickoff for the new People Soft SIS is scheduled for February with actual implementation to beginning in Spring 2001. The implementation will be phased in with full implementation scheduled for Fall 2001.

    Dean Baker reported that the new People Soft Administrative Information System task force is still in the organizational stage.

    It was announced that the College Staff CITG had been reconstituted with Peter Tharp as its new chair.
     

  3. Training

    4. The proposed change in focus for technology plan related training from last year was approved. The primary change is that the training funds will be focused on specific technical needs as specified in the plan. Last year funds were allocated more on a first-come-first- served basis. Individual requests will still be considered, however.
     
  4. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be February 7. Notes prepared by: ___________________________________
Steven G. Sachs
Dean of Information Technology

Chair:

____________________________________
Alison Baker
Dean of Financial and Administrative Services

pc: Dr. Wheelan