Computing Advisory Committee

Summary Minutes

Meeting of September 11, 1997

Present: John Hamman, Duke Koch, Michael Wainer, Al Allen, Charlie Campbell (IT Networking), Chris Svec, Dennis Leitner, Skip Hardenberg, Ruth Bernhard, Susan Logue, Carolyn Snyder, Jackie Smith, Patrick Fornos, Geoff Nathan (Chair and recorder)

Jackie and Patrick reported that they were investigating the percent of computer ownership among undergraduates at SIU.

Charlie Campbell explained some of the alternatives to fiber-optic networking, particularly the use of XDSL technology.

Al Allen discussed the normal procedure for getting network connections to departments and buildings. The requests either go directly to the IT office, or filter up through the normal academic chain of command (department, dean, provost), but the final OK on funding, if done by IT, is made by Vice Chancellor Tweedy.

Al also reported on discussions IT has been having with external ISP's (Internet Service Providers). A recent proposal has apparently not turned out to be viable because of an increase in the quoted cost. In addition, Al put in a request that some sum of the money available in the near future go to the establishment of a second T1 line. This would cost in the neighborhood of $14,000.

Some time in the near future the University itself will be changing to a different connection to the internet, with some attendant disruption of service.

There was some discussion of the status of other buildings on campus that are not yet connected to the campus network. Some, like Quigley, are in the works, while others, like Lawson (particularly) appear to require a great deal of money.