Office of Information Technology

Technology Advisory Board (TAB)
Minutes of Meeting of March 16, 2005

Attendance:

Bill Britten, J. J. Brown, Smiley Clapp, Steve Dolgner, Stephen Esposito, Jessica Hodge, Judy Huddleston, Julie Little, Camellia Meehan, Chaz Molder, Faye Muly, Yelena Pjesivoc-Grbovic, Rita Smith, Mike Stanley, Gretchen Whitney, Gena Wilson, Jenny Wright.

Steve Dolgner announced that this is the last TAB meeting of the 2004-05 academic year, and thanked the Board members for their participation and interest. Faye Muly expressed thanks to Steve Dolgner for his contributions, as TAB co-chair, to the communications between the students and the administration on technology issues. Mr. Dolgner then introduced J. J. Brown, who is replacing Jim Gehlhar as the representative from Student Services.

Alumni E-mail

Bruce Downsbrough was previously contacted for an update to the proposed e-mail services for alumni. He reported that the issue is under study but there is no further information at this time. However Mr. Downsbrough will provide an update at the July TAB meeting.

E-mail RFP

Steve Dolgner reported that the E-mail survey results have been analyzed and reported to the administration. The next step is a Request for Proposal from vendors. The status of this effort will be reported at the July TAB meeting. Student input will be solicited in the selection of services and implementation of new functions.

Classroom Technology

Smiley Clapp, OIT Executive Director of IT Engineering Services, reported on the Classroom Upgrade Committee accomplishments during the past five years. The Facilities Fee has provided funding for installation of technology and upgrade of the physical facilities in 99 classrooms. Standard, reliable, easy to use, laptop-based technology, in a standard podium with overhead projector has been implemented. In addition, smart boards have been installed where appropriate. Significant improvements have been made in the flooring, lighting, painting, furniture, etc.

Mr. Clapp then discussed goals for new classroom technologies – technologies that would encourage student participation in large classrooms and increase flexibility for different teaching styles and requirements. He noted the convergence of in-class and out-of-class technologies. He emphasized the involvement of both students and faculty in evaluating and determining the classroom technologies to be implemented in the next five years.

The emergence of the personal response system, i.e. clicker, was discussed. A few academic departments have started to use this device, which may be bundled with a textbook. To avoid proliferation of different devices, an evaluation of products and functions will be conducted in the summer and fall, with a goal of defining a standard clicker for campus use. Other technologies discussed were the single projector with capability to display multiple images on screen and equipment for high definition graphics and audio.

VolPrint Report

Judy Huddleston reported that an analysis of usage of the VolPrint Service from August 2004 to March 2005 indicated that faculty and staff usage is less than 1.4% of images printed. Primary usage is by undergraduate and graduate students. The service has been stable and well-received; however there have been some minor interruptions in service. Mike Stanley reviewed these incidents which have been related to the VolCard interface, network services, or the database server.

Technology Fee FY 06 Budget

Steve Dolgner reviewed the proposed FY 06 Technology Fee budget. Funding will be maintained at the FY 05 level for each category, with Network Access: $700,000, Open and Departmental Computer Labs: $2,325,000, Student Support and Software: $1,272,300, and Academic Technology: $844,000.

Introduction of FY 06 TAB Student Co-Chair

Steve Dolgner announced the selection by the SGA President of the student co-chair for FY 06 – Stephen Esposito. Chaz Molder, SGA President, thanked Mr. Dolgner for his service and noted the participation of Mr. Esposito in student technology issues. Faye Muly welcomed Mr. Esposito in his new role and there was a round of applause for the past and future co-chairs.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Technology Advisory Board will be Wednesday, July 20, 2005, at 2:30 PM, in the 4th Floor Conference Room, Andy Holt Tower.