Minutes of Computing Advisory Committee Meeting

March 2, 1999

 

Those attending: Mary Wallace, Al Allen, Bradford Willke (recorder), David Blakesley, JP Dunn, Susan Logue (for Carolyn Snyder), Michael Wainer, Geoff Nathan, Duke Koch, Ruth Bernhardt.

 

The meeting opened with a report from Al Allen about the Midwest Internet (ISP) agreement's "on-hold" status due to the Chancellor's Budget Advisory Board request for review.

 

The next issue was about rumors that an "IT Group," charged with Y2K checking, was going to 'lay waste' to desktop systems around the University community. Al Allen suggested getting reliable information to the community as soon as possible. The Y2K project plans and implementation ideas were discussed, including: 1) Training; 2) Public relations agenda (i.e. Daily Egyptian, Chancellor's letter of support, Campus/IT Y2K survey); 3) University Y2K web page link consolidation.

 

Geoff Nathan next reported his attendance at two national conferences. The first, hosted by the University of Wisconsin at Stout, presented everything from "class material-to-web page" practices to long-range academic planning and innovations. One of Geoff's goals was to gain awareness of University-External groups for possible joint SIU projects. The second, a National Science Foundation (NSF) and American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) event, discussed high-speed/high-bandwidth networks, like VBNS (Very-high-speed Backbone Network System), for scientific research applications. VBNS's current funding is ending and the VBNS administration is considering other funding sources (i.e. Universities) and other priorities in assigning funding.

 

Geoff next brought up news about another conference, entry deadline passed, covering 'Ubiquitous Computing'. The concept covers providing (or requiring) all college student with computer systems, broken into one of four areas: Very powerful anytime, anywhere laptop; Very powerful desktop; Powerful anytime, anywhere laptop; or Threshold computer with power and portability.

 

Geoff next passed out the Faculty Desktop Replacement Plan proposal for review and comment. The following items were discussed:

 

• Requirement of Chancellor-level funding
• Include software and training costs as additional expenses above the $600 amount (Duke Koch)
• Point made to include software and training considerations in last paragraph of proposal (Mike Wainer)
• Point made to consider optional Office Automation (OA) software packages (i.e. StarOffice with $995 site license)(Koch)

 

Susan Logue brought up concern about mass purchase problems, relating current copier policies to computer replacement. Discussion continued about current one-standard/one-solution provider policies versus re-bidding processes that happen multiple times per year. Allen suggested that mass purchasing from one solution provider was not a concern in this issue, rather departments could continue to purchase from among "on-going" contracts, "newly-bid" contracts, or other sources. Other concerns discussed:

• Cascading computer systems as they are replaced
• Question of auditing agency existence to make sure Replacement Plan funds are allocated to appropriate expenditures (Allen)
• Use of 'Track-It" software as inventory tool (Koch)
• Question of 'standardizing' agency to pre-load software before distribution
• Who will pay for departments to 'catch-up' on technology standards and network infrastructure requirements
• Existing Replacement Plan proposal does not include Graduate Assistants and staff.

It was decided that Geoff would circulate an additional draft on the listserv, and, having received final feedback, would forward it to Chancellor Argersinger. Meeting closed at 3:50 p.m.

The next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 23 at 3 P.M. in the Dean's Library Conference room.

Bjw/gsn

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Last Updated: March 8, 1999--DB

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