Office of Information Technology

Technology Advisory Board (TAB)
Minutes of Meeting of February 17, 1999

Location: AHT 4th Floor Conference Room
Time: 2:00 – 2:40 pm

In attendance

Bill Britten, Matt Disney, Frances Fogerson, Joe Gipson, Nancy Gnilka, Mark Hall, Chris Hood, Tim Johnson, Marcia Katz, Dewitt Latimer, Jeff Maples, Susan Metros, Faye Muly, Surya Singh, Fred Tompkins, Ken Walker.

Handouts

1. FY99-00 Guidelines for Technology Fee Funding of Departmental Computing Labs (DRAFT)
2. Technology Fee Funding for Departmental Computing Labs (Memo of Feb. 5, 1999)
3. Floor Plans of Potential Residence Hall Computer Labs Upgrades

Discussion 1: Guidelines for Funding of Departmental Computing Labs

Muly presented a draft of guidelines for technology fee funding of departmental computing labs. She noted that "number 5" on the list addressed requests for network installation, which was not included last year. Additionally, she explained that the goal is to achieve alignment of expenditures with revenue, over the next two years.

Disney asked that the guidelines be accepted. With no objections, the action carried.

Gnilka will post the approved guidelines on the web site.

Discussion 2: Upgrades for Residence Hall Computer Labs

Disney reported the results of a survey of 10 questions distributed to 50 students concerning their use of computer labs. A majority indicated that they used the current labs and would welcome expansion.

Maples stated that this is a big issue in the residence halls and his office has received numerous requests and comments about expanding and upgrading the labs.

Johnson presented drawings which illustrated how individual residence halls could be modified to accommodate new or expanded labs. Generally, room functions could be reassigned (i.e., relocating a post office or remodeling a multi-purpose room). All proposed labs would be within existing spaces and not involve constructing additions to the buildings. Several would include a service center and each was specified with the number of computers and printers it could accommodate.

Questions about the proposal included:

1. Who will cover the cost of consumables for these labs? Johnson: The Residence Hall Council now covers the cost of toner for the printers, but the issue of paper has not been resolved.
2. Will some of the computers be more high end? Johnson: They will probably be more basic. (Discussion noted that students can access more sophisticated hardware and software that is relevant to their course of study in a departmental facility.)
3. Are there any priorities for this proposal? Johnson: Any improvements will be appreciated. The rooms selected for the labs are those that currently have low use, so there is not a priority for which should be first. Gipson: Spaces for the service centers should be a priority. Students now have difficulty if they must carry a computer across campus to have an ethernet card installed.
4. Would these improvements be funded with special monies? Muly: This would be a standard request for funding with Tech Fee money and would follow existing procedures for approval.
5. Should we invest in labs or in infrastructure for in-room, student-owned computers? Muly and Gipson: We need both, but for the next few years the ratio will probably favor those students who do not own their own computers.
6. Has this proposal been costed out yet? Johnson: Not at present, but we will comply with all information requirements in making our formal request for funding. (Noted that the deadline for requests is April 1.)

Discussion 3: New Internet Connections

Gipson explained that the vBNS system has been installed and connections are running much faster on campus. Metros stated that ITC is currently working on applications to use the new fast connections for instructional technology.

The next meeting will be on March 17, 1999 at 2:00 pm in the 4th floor conference room of Andy Holt Tower.

Minutes prepared by: Frances Fogerson

Minutes posted by: Janet Miles