Minutes of the Computing Advisory Committee Meeting

28 February 2000

 

Those attending: Bjørn Kraabøl, Michael Wainer, Al Allen, Ruth Bernhardt, Pierre Barrette, David Blakesley, Dennis Leitner, Carolyn Snyder, Duke Koch, Geoff Nathan (recorder).

Al announced that he had been given a long-range plan for the campus from Frank Horton that included technology expenses and he would share it with the committee. Further on the dial-up modems it was noted that as the high-rise residence halls were wired for ethernet, the modems in use there currently would be shifted to public use, which would eventually amount to an additional 190 modems.

Geoff reported that a final choice on IT director was near. It was suggested that the recent Chronicle survey of administrative salaries would be a good place to look for guidance for salary for this position. Duke reported that SIUC now has a site license for GIS software.

Pierre reported that Vice Chancellor Poshard’s office had approached him to provide information on movement towards Internet II. A preliminary meeting suggested that there would be a need for a major upgrade of wiring and internal connections; essentially that there would need to be a brand new network. Study on this issue continues.

Discussion continued on the question of the relationship between Internet II and the Illinois Century Network. It is important to express support from Southern Illinois for rural high-speed connectivity. Geoff will compose a letter to be sent to Chancellor Jackson and Vice Chancellor Poshard expressing our wish to pursue the connection to the ICN. Bjørn pointed out that we need not only hardware development but also software development to make use of the connectivity that high-speed networks will provide. Geoff reminded the committee that there is grant money available from the Provost’s office for software development for programs and courses, and the Library has assistance available with course development. Bjørn suggested the possibility of setting up an educational software group that could meet to encourage each other and spread ideas. Perhaps the upcoming technology fair could be a starting point for such a group.

Additional issues that require further discussion include the question of the University’s policy on intellectual property as it pertains to software development. Geoff will check with Prue Rice at ORDA to see what happened to a committee that was studying the issue. Mike reminded the committee that we had also talked about investigating the possibility of a physical space to support the enhanced role of educational technology development.

Finally, there was discussion of the possibilities of surveying students to find out the extent of current computer ownership, as part of a general question of whether SIUC should require that students purchase computers. David volunteered his English GA’s (who are responsible for over a hundred sections), Dennis Leitner would survey his classes and Geoff will arrange for a survey of the Linguistics 101/105 classes. Bjørn will survey his contacts at GPSC. David will make suggestions for the content of the survey, which will primarily deal with whether students own a computer, have access to one at home, and whether it is a desktop or a laptop.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 27 (after Spring break), again in the Library Dean's conference room at 8:30 a.m.