Technology Advisory Board (TAB)
Minutes of Meeting, September 20, 2006
Location: Andy Holt Tower, 4th Floor
Conference Room , 2:30PM
Attendance:
Bruce Delaney, Denise Haley, Robert Holub, Judy Huddleston,
Tim Kresse, Julie Little, Bryant Mayne, Mike McNeil, Robin McNeil,
Logan Monday,
Robert Osborne, Grant Patterson, Stan Pinkleton, David Ratledge, Law
Schuelke, Brandon Williams
Introduction of Members
Bryant Mayne called the meeting to order and members introduced themselves.
Student Email
Mike McNeil gave a brief update on the status of the new Exchange email system.
Current migrations have been halted because of performance concerns related
to storage, data access, and the location of some Exchange services. In addition,
the impact of Blackberry mobile devices on performance is also an issue. Currently
there is no support for students using Blackberry devices.
After performance issues are addressed, all students will be migrated. Presently
there are about 4000 freshmen on the system. McNeil asked for suggestions from
the TAB in regards to the best plan for migrating the remaining students. Bryant
Mayne will work with the SGA Technology Services group to solicit suggestions.
Loaner Laptop Program
David Atkins provided statistics for Robin McNeil to share about the Loaner
Laptop Program, which was an initiative of the Technology Fee. Program changes
during FY06 included:
- Adding ten units into circulation,
- Increasing availability to a full 24
hours/day,
- Increasing the loan period from three to four hours,
- OIT assumed responsibility
for technical support of units, and,
- Developing a pager waiting list.
The laptops were circulated over 30,000 times for a 70% increase during FY06.
Plans are to continue funding the laptop loaner program as well as to increase
the number by 10-15 laptops as funds are available.
Commons
Stan Pinkleton provided an update on the Commons and the IT services that
were formerly provided from Aconda Court. The students appear to have found
the new area and it has been heavily utilized since opening August 14. Plans
are to continue renovation to the Commons adding additional computers in arrangements
that facilitate group collaboration as well as the addition of smart boards
with plasma screens for practicing presentations. Please refer to the Commons
website commons.utk.edu for more information.
IT Services Survey
Julie Little led a discussion on soliciting information
from the students in regards to future IT services and the best manner in
which to survey the
students. Bryant Mayne suggested that the IT Directors attend one of the
weekly SGA meetings to solicit input from those members. Other suggestions
included advertisements in the Daily Beacon, notices on one of the info
blocks on the UTK homepage, surveys on Circle Park Online, surveys during orientation,
and links on the Webmail page. Mayne agreed to work with the Student Technology
Services committee to provide input for the next TAB meeting
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the
Technology Advisory Board will be Wednesday, October 18, 2006, at 2:30 PM,
AHT, 4th floor Conference Room.
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