Information Technology Council

Minutes for the Meeting of March 5, 1998

1. Research Issues (Bruce Mason) - The recommendations of the research committee were that money spent to support research computing should support programs with a large impact on theUniversity's prestige.  Most, but not all funding (perhaps 60/40) should help support large scale efforts.  The second priority should be for support of advanced software applications and training.  Members of the council were concerned that new faculty be supported and that all researchers are helped to improve technology use.
2. Infrastructure Issues (Frank Durso and Marco Sherbon) -  There were several recommendations from the group investigating infrastructure issues.  For classroom technology, it was suggested that all centrally scheduled classrooms have the technology to connect to the network and display computer-generated graphics presentations.  This might cost $1.2 million.  Replacement purchases of "old" technology should be reduced, although members of the council were concerned that all presentation technology can be appropriate.  It is also important that technology needs are an important component of classroom scheduling.  The library was singled out as the most important need because of its impact on all aspects of campus.  Electronic delivery of material must be pursued aggressively.  Hardware could be better delivered to faculty through hardware grants rather than cash grants.  Delivering a few, well defined hardware packages to faculty will have a positive impact on purchase price and maintenance.  Finally, access from off campus is terrible and needs to be improved.
3. Training and Support (Lisa Portwood) - Support for educational technology should focus on instructional design aid for faculty, perhaps in conjunction with the Instructional Design Program.  Many faculty will not change courses without incentives and support.  Simple templates should be designed for simple web additions to classes.  Software support should be through short tutorials, peer training, and web instruction.  Student training should be through Gateway classes and short courses.  CCE's resources need to be better incorporated into campus-wide support.
4. Incentives (Deborah Trytten and Dale Brown) - There are few current institutional incentives to encourage technology use.  Tenure, promotion, and evaluations don't routinely take these efforts into account.  Staff incentives for additional training are often reduced to time off to attend classes.  On demand technical help might encourage use.