Minutes of the Computing Advisory Committee Meeting

27 September 1999

 

Those attending: David Blakesley, Duke Koch, Michael Wainer, Jim Dutton, Susan Logue, Ruth Bernhardt, Pierre Barrette, Bjorn Kraabol, Geoff Nathan (recorder)

Geoff began by reporting on the status of the ongoing Y2K assessment project. Virtually all computers have been checked, and the results will be compiled and presented to the Chancellor on October 4. A question was raised about the current status of the new modems and Geoff will check with Al Allen on where the order stands. Geoff reported that the representatives of Comdisco and ATS would like to meet with the committee. Pierre wondered whether these companies had connections with the College of Business.

 

General discussion followed on the nature of IT. The support functions of IT seemed to be one contentious issue. Geoff proposed that there were four possible models of IT support:

1. a 3-tiered model such as is described in the long-range plan
2. the 'Maytag repairman' model, where IT does all service
3. eliminate IT and cede funds to individual departments, who can do it themselves
4. outsource to a private management firm (such as ATS/Comdisco)

Questions that were raised in this discussion included whether the entire campus should be involved in the debate, and whether IT could succeed with a cost-recovery mode of operations. Another suggestion was that SIUC needed to seek corporate partnerships to assist with financing. The question of service to students also arose, and it was asked how many hours students are currently online, a number which could be used as the basis for future planning of connection needs.

Geoff agreed to pursue further information on current connections and the extent of internet traffic. Another interesting question would be what other kinds of internet connections students are using, and how much they use them. Some speculations on how to count student computer usage included number of hits on WEBCT, SAS and/or the mailserver.

 

Another question that requires some thought is the role of IT in the development of multimedia materials. In general this is an individual college responsibility, although historically some of this has also been within the responsibility of the Library. Currently some faculty are having their students submit course assignments on the web, and it was noted that this is a powerful recruitment tool.

 

All of these issues should be discussed more widely, and Geoff agreed to open the discussion to the LAN administrators list, and will suggest an open campus meeting with any IT director candidates. One important question would be the priorities between academic and administrative computing. Geoff will attempt to procure an overall budget picture with a general breakdown of gross figures on various divisions of IT.

 

The next meeting was set for Monday, October 11 at 8:30 in the Dean's Conference Room.

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