Office of Information Technology

Technology Advisory Board (TAB)
Minutes of Meeting of September 15, 1999

Location: Andy Holt Tower, 4th floor conference room
Time: 2:00 - 3:05pm

Attendance

Members: Bill Britten, Will Carver, Matt Disney, Jim Gehlar, Mark Hall, Dewitt Latimer, Joshua Morrison, Faye Muly, Fernando Parrado, Surya Singh, Kenneth Walker, Clifton Woods,
Others: Frances Fogerson, Nancy Gnilka, Ray Hamilton, Julie Little, Larry Stiles

Discussion 1: Roster of TAB Membership

Gnilka distributed a sign-in sheet, which classified members by category: voting members, ex officio members, and others. Those attending were asked to sign the sheet in the appropriate space to indicate their voting status and affiliation. This process brought attention to the recent Office of Administration and Student Affairs reorganization, which separated Administration from Student Affairs. It was noted they would like two people, rather than one, to represent these areas. This raised the issue of whether there should be an additional voting member bringing the total to fourteen. It was proposed this change to the by-laws be presented in the next meeting.

Disney stated there was some ambiguity in the membership status of some of the currently appointed student members. With appointments being for 2-year terms, some students graduate, become inactive, or otherwise change their status during that length of time. Current student members will be contacted to determine their continued eligibility and interest in serving.

Discussion 2: Proposed By-Law Revisions

Gnilka reviewed two proposed revisions to the by-laws. The first revision related to title changes and additions to the ex officio membership, resulting from the realignment within DII. The second proposal reduced the number of meetings from one per month to six per year. Under one option, meetings would occur during the "working months" of the academic year (September, October, November, February, March, and April). Another option suggested alternating months (August, October, December, February, April, and June).

The proposed change in DII titles was accepted without discussion. The proposal to adopt a reduced meeting schedule was approved after adding a July meeting to the "working months" option.

Discussion 3: Banner Update

Larry Stiles, Chair of the Banner Advisory Committee, discussed the current implementation status of the Banner student services system. He noted a search for the system began in 1997. Six study groups judged the Banner system was the most appropriate solution available at the time. Subsequently many modifications were proposed, requiring approximately 17,000 man-hours to implement. In addition, there would be significant on-going resources needed to maintain the modifications with each new release of Banner.

In March 1999, a consortium of colleges and universities using the Banner system jointly agreed making extensive changes for individual schools would be exorbitant in cost, as well as inefficient. The group proposed major changes be uniform across the consortium. Stiles noted, however, it is still possible for UT to tailor its own modifications, keeping in mind maintenance would be UT's responsibility.

The UTK Advisory Committee now focuses on implementation of the Banner system and also the life-extension efforts for the legacy system, specifically on improving student access to data. This translates to self-service web access where possible.

Responding to a question about on-line registration, Stiles stated the current telephone registration system can handle 100 calls at a time. A web-based system would increase that to about 1600, an immediate improvement on congestion.

Discussion 4: Name and Scope of TAB

Latimer asked for clarification of the official name of the TAB group (Technology Fee Advisory Board or Technology Advisory Board). He stated the latter implied a much broader campus role.

Muly indicated the name was Technology Advisory Board, but also acknowledged there are a number of other campus groups focused on technology. Woods stated increased communication with these groups would be mutually beneficial, and Muly suggested Linda Painter of the Information Technology University Task Force be invited to the next meeting.

Disney commended the board for raising such issues and offering positive input and conclusions.

The next meeting will be October 20, 1999 in the 4th floor conference room of Andy Holt Tower.

Minutes prepared by: Frances Fogerson