Minutes of the Computing
Advisory Committee Meeting
April 27, 1999
Those attending: JP Dunn,
Larry Schilling, Pierre Barrette, Brad Wilcke, Jim Belk for Al Allan, David
Blakesley, Michael Wainer, Duke Koch, Carolyn Snyder, Geoff Nathan (recorder).
The meeting began with a report
by Jim Belk on several current IT issues. The wiring of the residence halls
will be delayed because of legal and purchasing issues related to dealing
with GTE. In response to a question about the discounted pricing for University
members with Midwest Internet Jim reported that the Planning and Budget
Council had asked for a guarantee of no price increase, which Jim believed
would not be forthcoming. Planning is proceeding on the purchase of nearly
two hundred new 56K modems, and the Chancellor has asked that a number be
set aside for exclusive faculty/staff use. In response to a question Jim
stated that he believed that the intention was that these would be for off-campus
use.
The meeting then turned to a
review of the Long-Range plan, which was adopted just under a year ago.
A number of items proposed in the plan have been or are now being implemented.
Carolyn reported that wiring is now in place to Lawson Hall, and that money
has been received to install hardware and infrastructure for most of the
interior, although some cosmetic repairs remain to be funded.
Duke pointed out that there
was still no funding available, nor was there a plan proposed for replacement
of desktop computers for staff and graduate assistants. Pierre asked whether
there should be recommendations from our committee on ergonomic questions.
He pointed out that students and staff are now spending hours per day in
front of computer screens, and that is an issue that the committee should
consider.
On the question of increased
support for development of web-based and multimedia courses, Duke asked
whether there was a university policy on course development income. Carolyn
replied that she believed there was currently no campus-wide policy. Pierre
pointed out that the general issue of intellectual property has become important,
and noted that U of I has a policy available.
The plan recommended a CD-ROM,
which has now sold out its second printing. A third printing has been set
for fall.
Geoff and Brad reported that
the Y2K desktop initiative has stalled, because student volunteers have
stopped coming (presumably due to end-of-semester pressures) and Mary Wallace,
who had been coordinator, will go back to full-time at the President's office.
Geoff will be meeting with Guernsey and Tweedy and possibly others to attempt
to secure funding for continuation of the effort.
The next meeting will be
on May 11, which is a Tuesday, but at a slightly different time: 2-3
p.m. in the Library Conference Room.
