Minutes of the Computing Advisory Committee Meeting

8 May 2000

 

Those attending: JP Dunn, Michael Wainer, Al Allen, Dennis Leitner, Ruth Bernhardt, Duke Koch, Don Olson, Geoff Nathan (recorder), Larry Schilling, Susan Logue.

Geoff welcomed Don Olson, new Director of Information Technology. Don stated that he had three major goals:

1. Support the Oracle project
2. Support and upgrade the campus network. Complete the wiring of the buildings and wire every office, then start the installation of a faster backbone.
3. Provide faculty support. In combination with the Library he wants to augment and supplement computing support.

Finally, he will attend all future CAC meetings.

Don then took a number of questions. David raised the question of ensuring that classroom labs are cleared in time for classes to begin. Don will look into the issue. Larry stated that Institutional Research needs a data extract facility for Oracle that will allow them to meet Federal and State reporting requirements. Duke raised a number of issues that were in the original long-range computing plan. These include a more formalized support system with recognition and reward for those in that system, as well as for LAN administrators. Don will be meeting with Deans to discuss this, among other issues.

ATS Proposal

There was general dissatisfaction with the ATS proposal as it was written. People felt that it was not clear exactly what was being proposed, and that what was being offered was not exactly what was most urgently needed at the present time, especially given what it would cost. More urgently needed is a refresh plan for campus desktops, which is not being proposed. There was some suggestion that a pilot project with a small department might be a good idea. Geoff will write up an official response from the committee, based on discussion around the table and on the listserv, and will run it by the committee, then send it to Vice Chancellor Poshard.

In response to the i-drive initiative it was felt that while webspace for students would be a good idea, there were questions about the speed of access (based on reviews in the press), and in general it was felt that there needed to be access to something based on campus. It was definitely felt that there needs to be an opportunity for faculty to have some kind of webspace available.

Internet2

While the committee headed by Pierre Barrette continues to meet it was pointed out that that committee is not the one indicated in the materials specified by the I2 organization, and Don will take the initiative in setting up such a committee.

External Proposals

The campus is currently being bombarded with external proposals for outsourcing various aspects of computing, and the committee feels that there needs to be a more organized way of dealing with such proposals. Rather than being driven by the proposals it is felt that we should allow need to generate demand, rather than vice versa.

Centralized Software Purchases

There is still considerable unclarity in knowing which software is being used on campus, as well as lack of awareness of what we actually have site licenses for. In addition, there is no centralized registry of what individual departments have site licenses. There needs to be a central office to coordinate all site licenses.

Geoff will contact the leaders of the undergraduate and graduate student associations to talk about nominating representatives to the committee for next year.

The next meeting is set for Thursday, July 13 at 9 AM in the Library Conference Room.