Office of Information Technology

Technology Appropriations Board
Minutes of Meeting of June 17, 1998

Location: AHT 4th Floor Conference Room
Time: 2:00 - 3:00PM

In attendance:

Updated information regarding funding requests for FY 98-99 was distributed and discussed. Initial awards have been selected, based on the criteria recommended by the Board at the May and June meetings. (See previous minutes of the meetings for a description of these criteria.) A task force, with student and staff membership, has been assembled to review the functionality requested, and to determine the final award specifications. In all cases the award is not for a specific amount of monies, and no funds will be provided via transfer voucher. Requested equipment will be provided directly by the Division of Information Infrastructure and will remain on the inventory of the Technology Fee account. In general, network installation and monthly port charges are not included in the funding awards. Similarly, funding for supplies or other operating costs are not included in the award.

There was a general discussion of the need for funds to provide classroom network connections. It was noted that this has become a more urgent issue, as faculty members increasingly utilize new instructional technology requiring network connections in the classroom. In addition, departments and colleges are less able to provide funds for this purpose from operating funds, and less willing to fund network connections for classrooms that are centrally scheduled. There was a discussion as to whether this is an appropriate expenditure of technology fee funds. A statement on this matter will be drafted for discussion at the next meeting of the Technology Appropriations Board.

In addition, a draft of by-laws for the Technology Appropriations Board will be distributed prior to the next meeting for discussion at the July meeting.

A question was raised concerning progress in enabling users to connect portable computers to the network from various locations on campus. There has not been a satisfactory solution available up till now, but the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) appears promising, and work continues in this area.

The next meeting of the Technology Appropriations Board is scheduled for July 15, 1998, in the AHT Fourth Floor Conference Room.