University Technology Committee Minutes
November 12, 1998

Members in attendance: Peter Cheng, David Darr, Barbara Denison, Dan DeStephen, George Frey, David Grossie, Donna Hamilton, Paul Hernandez, Bonnie Mathies, Mary Ellen Mazey (guest), Pradeep Misra, Vicki Montavon, Alice Renner, Paul Simmons, Chuck Taylor, Jeff Vernooy, Rebecca Koop, Cheryl Meyer.

House Bill Update - Barbara Denison
January is the earliest that the House Bill funds will be available. Dr. Perry Moore will appoint two committees to review rankings for computing/multimedia and instructional equipment requests.

Faculty Computer Initiative Update - Barbara Denison
College representatives are asked to verify the number of computers needed for full-time faculty and to send this information to Paul Hernandez by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Paul said preliminary numbers indicate 75 computers are necessary to upgrade all faculty to the Pentium level. At the same time, colleges should indicate their interest in using refurbished computers to meet their needs. Paul Hernandez distributed sheets with "1999 Faculty Computer Initiative" suggested options for purchase.

Larry Fox explained there is no charge for initial installation of new machines or for the first equipment move. There will be a $200 charge per PC for each successive move.

Mail Server Update & Desktop Reconfiguration Discussion - Paul Hernandez, Sharon Powell, Larry Fox
A) The new mail server was implemented September 10 with new email addresses and accounts for students, faculty, and staff. Email addresses will consist of individuals' full names, for example larry.fox.@wright.edu. This will maintain consistency of web addresses throughout campus and will save staff hours plus increase WSU web security. People will also be able to access their campus Netscape email both on and off campus. A UNIX account is all that is needed for WSU students, faculty, and staff to access their accounts. CaTS will work closely with department liaisons to help departments understand the changes. Larry said there are 32,000 active accounts on campus right now, but that includes duplicate accounts that will be cleaned up by year's end. The older format of email addresses will be usable for 18 months. Donna Hamilton explained that email information is pulled from the WSU Human Resources database. She said that people with personal webpages attached to their email addresses will have their URL page addresses displayed in WSU directory listings.

B) CaTS will conduct individual desktop visitations. CaTS is currently revisiting its own workstations to ensure that all bugs are worked out of the program and then will move to the College of Liberal Arts in January 1999. The project throughout the campus is expected to be completed by June 1999. Each visitation will take approximately 2½ hours and include: upgrading Novel client and locally installing Microsoft Office 97; installing network application launcher; removing Sabre menus and FTP stack (replacing with Microsoft stack); installing Netscape 4.0.6 (possibly the new Netscape 4.5 release if bugs are worked out of it in time); setting up new mail client; checking for Y2K compliance; upgrading BIOS if necessary; cleanup desktop and accounts; and installing Adobe Acrobat and anti-virus software. CaTS will contact department technical representatives 3-4 weeks in advance of visitations to determine timing and schedules. Either the workstation operator or the technical representative must be present throughout the visitation.

Technology Plan - Vicki Montavon
Vicki distributed copies of a draft of the WSU Technology Plan for 1998-2003. She said the document has been endorsed by the Council of Deans and awaits the next step of endorsement by the University Technology Committee and Provost Dr. Perry Moore before implementation.

Vicki addressed the main points in the Technology Plan and together with Paul Hernandez responded to questions and concerns as they were raised. Some college representatives indicated they would like to review the draft further with members of their college technology committees. UTC members agreed. Vicki asked that the Technology Plan be considered for approval as the first agenda item at the December meeting of the UTC. Barbara Denison said that Dr. Moore will be at the Dec. 15 meeting when discussion of the Technology Plan will continue if necessary.

College Plan Components - Barbara Denison
Barbara Denison distributed copies of a handout entitled "Common Elements of College Technology Plans" for discussion. This includes information provided by Alice Renner and Bonnie Mathies for preparing technology plans. UTC endorsed the "common elements" list and agreed that all college technology plans should include these elements. Barbara reiterated Perry Moore's decision that college technology plans need to be completed by January 31, 1999. UTC's review of the plans will begin in February.

Teaching Learning Technology Roundtable Report - Vicki Montavon
This topic was tabled until the next meeting. Vicki distributed recommendations from Lillie Howard for review on Dec. 15.

Y2K Update - Paul Hernandez
Paul and Vicki spoke briefly about the review and analysis process for Y2K inventories for non-centrally supported items. Additional information will be available in December.

The next scheduled meeting will be from 3:00-5:00 P.M. Tuesday, Dec. 15 in E157 Student Union conference room.