SIUC Computing Advisory Committee
DRAFT Meeting Minutes of
Those present: Bob Baer, Ruth Bernhardt,
Michelle Cunningham, James Duggan
(recorder), Jim LeBeau, Don Olson (ex officio), Don Rice, Amy Sileven,
Chih-Fang
Wang, Lichang Wang.
James Duggan (Chair) welcomed the new
members to the committee, and
explained
that the committee serves as an advisory group to the Provost's
office,
and recommends new policies (and policy changes) that deal with
campus
computing. Duggan mentioned the
committee's two current
subcommittees
(Long Range Plan and Academic Computing), and asked that
members
look for an agenda call approximately one week before the next meeting.
Don Olson was asked about internet spam and
individual e-mail accounts on
campus;
Don indicated that the best way to deal with the problem of spam
was
to use some of the generally-available filtering software to "filter"
out
the offending spam. He added that there
was no way to put in a blanket
prohibition
on some types of spam as it might also filter out e-mail that
is
necessary.
Don Olson announced the following IT items:
1) IT is working on providing
new
ftp software for the University; they hope to have a seamless
transition
to the new ftp server software in a couple of weeks. The new
software
should make it easier to "point and click" to download
software. IT will continue to produce the Saluki-ware
CD-ROM; 2) IT is
working
on establishing a computer clearinghouse for SIU departments (the
clearinghouse
would provide a central location for listing surplus computer
equipment
that can be requested by various departments needing additional
equipment. The clearinghouse would likely be web-based,
and provide a
fairer
way of announcing the surplus equipment to the campus community at
large);
3) IT plans to purchase a new version of webmail for
the campus,
which
will take care of some of the problems with the current webmail
software,
including allowing the option of *not* downloading e-mail from
the
server when the user is checking e-mail away from a home computer, and
allowing
users to keep copies of outgoing e-mail.
Don also announced: 4) IT is looking to
install a new telephone switch,
that
will produce some cost-savings over the next 5-10 years for the
University. The switch will allow for voice lines over
IP, and unified
messaging
(i.e., faxes, voice mail, e-mail on one account); 5) The
University's Dell contract will be offered
to members of the Southern
Illinois Collegiate Common Market (faculty
staff & students at the area's
community
college systems, to help keep the contract prices low; 6) The
University is making available multi-party
control units (to facilitate the
use
of more than 2-person conferencing over Internet2. IT is sending a
staff
member for training, when completed the staff member will be able to
assist
in setting up the equipment for the conferencing; 7) IT is testing
web
registration and hopes to have more testing done in the Spring.
Don indicated that the chair of Security
Subcommittee of the Long-Range
Planning Committee will be meeting with him
in a few days, and hopes to
have
a status report for the CAC at the next meeting. Don reported for the
Undergraduate Tech Fee Committee, which is
composed of himself, James
Duggan and Dan Mann (Financial Aid), and
four undergraduate students (names
are
being finalized, but Tim wills is the Chair).
The committee has
received
47 proposals requesting approximately 1.7 million dollars in
computer
equipment (projections indicate there will be only about $800,000
to
award in 2002-2003). The committee plans
to begin its deliberations
shortly.
Don was asked about 1) wireless
connectivity on campus, including residence
halls. Don replied that Wham/Pulliam were fitted
with wireless, and that
Morris Library and the
Halls would be difficult to fit because of
the number of receivers needed
for
the many small rooms; and 2) the rumored replacement of the Oracle
(AIS) system. Don indicated that IT was looking at possible
alternative
systems,
but no decision has been reached. Adding
to the potential mix was
the
possibility that the current student information system may only be
supported
by its corporate owner for a few more years.
Don cautioned that
the
decisions on possible replacement systems are still in the
investigative
stages.
Amy Sileven
raised the issue of Student Affairs making the decision not to
make
the catalog and other registration information
available in paper
format,
and voiced concern about lack of student involvement in the
decision,
and potential strain on the web-based system.
Although Don Olson
indicated
that he felt the system could handle the increased usage, the
committee
suggested inviting a representative of Student Affairs to the
next
CAC meeting. James Duggan indicated he
would contact Ann DeLucca and
invite
her to attend.
The question of the
.edu address was
raised. James Duggan volunteered to
investigate the
question
with the Director of the
The next meeting was set for
Last Updated: Monday, September 30, 2002--JPD