SIUC Computing Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes of 23 January 2001

Those present: Ruth Bernhardt, Philip Chu, James Duggan (recorder), JP Dunn, James Fox, James Fry, Susan Logue, Geoff Nathan (guest), Don Olson (ex-officio), Don Rice, Kerry Sandberg, Larry Schilling, Kelly Thomas, Chih-Fang Wang.

The minutes of the 5 December 2000 meeting were approved.

Don Olson reported for IT that 1) IT has made much progress in installing Faculty network connections (starting from 70 to now over 300). Areas IT is still working on: The old Good Luck Glove Factory (408 S. Washington) and the Airport. IT is considering a couple of DSL lines for these areas. 2) The Provost has asked all units for a listing of classrooms that need network connections. IT will be making decisions about whether to use DSL or hard-wired connections for the identified classrooms. 3) IT representatives are continuing to talk to IT departments at other Internet2 Institutions. Washington University in St. Louis would like to work on a possible MegaPOP collaboration; IT is also looking into the possibility of joining MREN (Metropolitan Research and Education Network), and possibly other groups. In conversations with Illinois Century Network (ICN) staff, IT has learned that the network will be updated March 1st.

Don also reported that 4) IT has hired Geoff Nathan on a half-time appointment to work with other faculty/staff to find ways to utilize Internet2 on Campus. IT will also be looking at forming an Internet2 Committee to advise on research needs of faculty and look for funding opportunities. 5) Bids have been received to replace SIUC's 10 year old (and aging) mainframe. The mainframe runs the Student Information System, but replacement should be pretty seamless since the software/operating system is not being replaced. When asked whether the tape drive cartridges are also being replaced on the system, Don responded that it is the cpu/disk system that is being upgraded, and the cartridge system probably won't be (because of cost). 6) Equipment in the Student Computer Labs are in the process of being upgraded with monies from the Student Computer Fee. 7) A memo on wireless standards was being prepared and Don hoped to send it to the various colleges within the next few weeks.

At the request of the Committee, Geoff Nathan (member of the Undergraduate Computer Fee Allocation Committee) spoke on his experience with the committee, and to respond to concerns raised by some departments that did not receive the full amount of their initially allocated funds. Geoff indicated several problems with the committee, especially the lack of student participation (see <http://www.dailyegyptian.com/fall00/12-05-00/TechFee.html> for a Daily Egyptian article about the concerns), but suggested that, as this was the first year for the allocation the committee was creating procedures that will undoubtedly be modified in upcoming years.

As to the specific concerns, Geoff briefly described the process the committee underwent to allocate funds. There was approximately $830,000 available for $1.6 million in requests. Geoff indicated that only equipment was funded this time (no staff requests were approved), and mentioned that approved requests for money from the computer fee fund were divided into three tiers, with tier one and tier two requests receiving priority. As equipment was purchased, estimated prices for many components dropped, and some departments were left with "surpluses" in their allocated funding. However, as there continues to be a question of whether there will be enough money to purchase all tier one and tier two requests, the committee decided to approve only de minimis additional requests from those departments with "surpluses", and to roll that money back into the main fund. The funding process is ongoing, as some departments still have not purchased allocated equipment.

Don Rice suggested that in future, a timetable be made available to requesting departments to acquaint them with how the process works, in order to provide them with some idea of potential purchase cycles and funding.

James Fry moved (and Larry Schilling seconded) an amendment to the CAC Constitution that adds a second undergraduate student representative to the Committee membership. After discussion (which included the proffered rationale that the CAC formerly had two undergraduate members on the committee, and having two would make it more likely that at least one could attend each meeting), the amendment passed unanimously. James Duggan indicated he would contact Bill Archer, USG President, to a solicit a name for the new committee member slot.

J.P. Dunn mentioned an e-mail he had received about Apple and the SIU College of Education experimenting with wireless technology.

James Duggan indicated that he would check with Dr. Poshard's and Dr. Winter's offices about setting a next meeting date. Likely dates include either February 20 or February 27 at 8:30 am in in Morris Library's American Heritage Room (306).