SIUC Computing Advisory Committee

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 – 8:30 am

American Heritage Room, Morris Library

 

In attendance:  Ruth Berhardt, David Carlson, Howard Carter, Jon Davey, Duke Koch, Sanjeev Kumar, Alice Noble-Allgire, Don Olson, Amy Sileven, Lichang Wang, Tom Whittington, and Emily Williams (secretary)

 

David Carlson opened the meeting at 8:30 am.  An agenda was distributed. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved without changes.

 

Mass Email Policy Discussion

Don Olson began the mass email policy discussion.  Everyone reviewed the handout that had been e-mailed on January 18.  All student messages would have to be approved by the VC for Student Affairs.  All campus-wide messages would have to be approved by the Chancellor.  Messages targeted to specific individuals (ex: all science students) would have to be approved by the Dean/Director, not the Academic Chair.  IT is currently working on a form for individuals to complete requesting mass mailing.  Each department on campus would have one or two individuals who would be authorized and responsible for posting all messages on behalf of that department.  Don stated that there are levels of target groups (CS, AP, Faculty, college level, etc.) so targeted messages would be allowed.  The mass emails can be sent to domain addresses other than siu.edu but Student Affairs is looking into assigning siu.edu emails to all students, rather than the current student request process.  The databases that are combed for email addresses are SIS for students and LDAP for faculty and staff, so as long as those databases have been updated with the individuals current email addresses, mass mailings can be sent to off-campus domains (e.g., hotmail.com, yahoo.com, etc.).  Individuals cannot subscribe themselves at will; IT will determine which mail group individuals are assigned to.  IT will inform Deans and Network Administrators of the rights and responsibilities for mass email.  Don Olson stated that IT will being the mass mailing service this semester.

 

Clean Access Agent program

Don Olson passed out a memo regarding the Cisco Clean Access Agent.  Clean Access was implemented on February 7, 2005 in Wright Hall on a test basis and is intended to keep trojans, viruses, and worms off the main SIUC network.  Phase I involves students logging into the network for the first time.  The first login via RezNet for each student sends them to a special server.  There, the server checks the local machine for viruses, updates patches, and checks for software problems.  The program also updates virus definitions to make sure they are the latest versions.  Once this has been completed, it logs them into the RezNet network.  This is an automatic service and, depending on the state of the user’s computer, takes about 20 minutes.  Phase II is currently in the test state.  Phase II involves remediation or checking the local machines at a specified time and updating them as necessary.  IT is still deciding how many times and when Phase II would be pushed but have not found any conflicts yet that would hold back implementation.  IT hopes to reduce the $80,000 in overtime costs incurred with combating viruses and resolving network attacks. 

Don clarified that Clean Access suggests Ad-Aware, updates McAfee but does not run it (does not clean machine), and forces downloads of critical updates.  There is still debate on forcing optional updates and IT is working to determine which optional updates would be required by SIUC.

 

Dawgtel

Don Olson distributed information about the Air2Web program that is being tested by the College of Business and Administration under the moniker Dawgtel.  Air2Web contracts with major cell phone vendors and is being used at such schools as University of South Florida and University of North Dakota.  If SIUC implements this campus wide, we would be on the leading edge.  Air2Web provides test messages and alerts such as emergency or weather notifications, campus news (closings, etc.), important deadlines (registration, financial aid, etc.), and event reminders.  Currently, Dawgtel is restricted to academic messages but would be opened up to local vendors.  This is an opt-in service that does not cost the user anything above and beyond their cellular services charges for text messages.  Local vendors may use the service to advertise specials, job openings, and new products.  A concern about “advertising overload” was voiced and Don stressed that users would be able to opt-in, although the specific levels have not been determined.  The internal cost, approximately $30,000 per year, would be covered by marketing and fees paid by vendors.  Don stated that, if after 2 years this program was not self-sustaining, it would be discontinued. 

 

Vivato

Don Olson distributed information about the Vivato outdoor wireless service.  IT began installing Vivato last summer and eleven antennas have been installed around campus.  This will allow for wireless access outside and in open areas.  The signal is transmitted from the outside to the inside by bridge routers and can be accomplished for less expense then the indoor wireless Cisco routers.  Vivato antennas are powerful and have been turned down because the signal was reaching as far as the Best Buy parking lot in Carbondale.  In Faner, IT is working on installing equipment for repeater technology that will cost about $500.  Vivato is not meant for classroom use, where the Cisco wireless will continue to be used.  Vivato is for department and individual use and both systems will remain on campus at this time.

 

Undergraduate Student Tech Fee

The Undergraduate Student Tech Fee committee awarded $830,000 worth of funds to 2/3 of the groups that requested monies.  PCs that are being replaced are being offered to groups that got turned down for student labs.  A final report on the use of funds will be presented to CAC.

 

Other Items and Announcements

David Carlson referenced an email he had sent to the committee on December 14, 2004 regarding schools who have implemented programs for legal downloading of music.  David asked for committee’s thoughts on this topic.  Amy Sileven stated that she didn’t think it would be appropriate for a student fee to be implemented, as not all students would use the service and even those that did would do so on a varying scale.  Don Olson stated that he thought it would be a monthly fee, not a semester fee and added that some schools have added movies to their download services.  David stated that a subscription service would avoid the wrath of the MPAA and would add to the attractiveness of student life on campus and perhaps increase student retention.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 am.