Minutes of the Computing Advisory Committee Meeting

31 January 2000

 

Those attending: Michael Wainer, Larry Schilling, JP Dunn, Susan Logue (for Carolyn Snyder), Jim Duggan, David Blakesley, Duke Koch, Geoff Nathan (recorder), Dennis Leitner, Al Allen.

Al reported that the modem pool was operational, but that they were still waiting to announce its availability. Meanwhile, IT has been doing a great deal of work on implementing security software due to a large increase in hacking attempts, particularly aimed at the Oracle system. Geoff mentioned that he was planning to arrange a security seminar for the LAN administrator's group.

The reply to the CAC resolution on Internet 2 was discussed. Al suggested that it was not obvious that SIUC was indeed spending the requisite amount of money on high-speed, high bandwidth infrastructure development, pointing out that there are no plans at the moment to install OC12, or even OC3 connections.

The question of the relevance of the Illinois Century Network was raised at this point, and it seems unclear whether affiliation with that system would be relevant.

Another issue that was raised with respect to the I2 question was whether Chancellor Jackson intended this to be a campus or a system-wide initiative, and the consensus was that it was intended to be limited to the Carbondale campus. It was reiterated that there will need to be funds specifically allocated to pay for the increased bandwidth.

Geoff raised the question of University membership in EDUCAUSE. In previous years membership had been shared between the Library and IT, but this year IT's budget precluded paying and the membership has lapsed. SIU continues to attend and participate, but pays non-member registration, which IT had determined was cheaper to pay higher registration fees and the website is accessible without membership. Geoff explained that the Chancellor is willing to pay for membership if he can be persuaded that it is worth it, and Geoff asked the committee to visit the website (http://www.educause.edu) and come up with reasons to continue membership.

An additional membership issue that was raised was the Illinois Century Network. The CAC has been asked to endorse SIU's participation in it, and to encourage the extension of the network to Southern Illinois. Committee members are asked to look at the website, (http://www.ilcentury.net/ICN.html), and be ready to discuss the issue at the next meeting.

Geoff reported on the state of the search for the IT director, and the committee formulated a set of questions to ask the candidates. David Blakesley agreed to circulate the questions to the committee.

The next regular meeting was set for 8:30 AM on Monday, February 14, but there will be an additional meeting later that week to formulate a recommendation on IT director candidates.