Wright State University University Technology Committee

UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY COMMITTTEE
MEETING MINUTES
January 13, 2000

I. Faculty Computing Initiative
Barbara Denison, Co-Chair, reviewed the Faculty Computing Initiative. The Provost will provide $100,000 to be matched by colleges and departments to replace outdated PCs for full-time faculty. The PCs eligible for replacement are less than 133 MHz or comparable Macs. The Provost sent a letter to the Council of Deans requesting the number of qualified machines to be replaced. Paul Hernandez distributed a list of those requests received as of January 13, 2000. Basing the cost of each machine at approximately $1,500, a total of $85,500 will be provided by the Provost with matching funds coming from the colleges. The funds will be distributed to each Dean. This will leave $14,500 of Provost's funds to be reserved for next year's initiative. MAC machines will be ordered immediately, with PCs being ordered in approximately three weeks. Verne Smith will contact each department for configuration options.

II. Distributed Learning Update - Center For Teaching and Learning
Terri Klaus distributed survey results and explained the process used in CTL's decision to switch from TopClass to WebCT as the University's web-course software package. Training will be available for faculty and staff. The transition period from TopClass to WebCT will take place over the next five months; however, no new courses using TopClass will be implemented for Spring Quarter. The campus community will be notified by email, the Center For Teaching and Learning's newsletter and CaTS Quickbits.

Terri also discussed the number of courses now listed on the Ohio Learning Network's database "OhioLearns!". There are a total of 631 courses from 23 Ohio institutions listed on the website. Initially, WSU has 33 courses posted (with 18 more to be added in the near future) in OhioLearns! These courses are also listed on WSU's own Distance Learning website www.wright.edu/dl/list.html To visit OhioLearns!, the website is http://www.ohiolearns.org/ohiolearns.htm.

III. Disability Services - Jeff Vernooy
Due to the judicial law which requires colleges and universities to ensure their technical facilities, computer labs and distance learning programs are accessible to students with disabilities, Jeff Vernooy discussed with the committee several priority items he felt need to be implemented at Wright State University.

  • When purchasing new computer software or upgrades for labs, Disability Services should be notified for any changes which might be needed to ensure accessibility
  • Implementing a process to ensure courses being developed are accessible.
  • Educating the campus community on accessibility issues.

It was also suggested that a presentation on these issues be made by Disability Services to the Council of Deans and the individual college technology committees.

IV. CaTS Updates - Paul Hernandez
The NSF grant for high speed connectivity has been approved and funded as of January 1, 2000. Over the next two years, this will give WSU $350,000 for Internet 2 connectivity costs. We also received a $167,000 grant from Board of Regents for equipment associated with high-speed connectivity. This will double the current capacity.

Paul distributed copies of the Year 2000 OhioLINK/OARnet White Paper. This document offers guidelines and recommendations on the level of campus networking and computing capacity that is required to support current and anticipated trends in networked information services.

Due to the increase in on-line capability, there has been a trend by faculty to put documentation on-line for students. However, instead of students reading this material on-line only, they are also printing the manuals and books. Since this has increased CaTS printing costs significantly, possible changes in printing procedures may soon follow.

At the next UTC meeting, Terry Anderson, CaTS Associate Director of Information Services, will give an update on current projects such as Raider Express On-line, Degree Audit, and the new financial information system.

Barbara Denison, on behalf of the University Technology Committee, commended everyone involved in the Y2K project for its successful completion.

V. Other Agenda Items for Future Meetings

  • IT Research Institute presentation
  • Brief overview of Internet 2 research projects
  • Nursing grant presentation
  • State-wide infrastructure projects presentation by the Director of OARnet
  • Current state-wide technology initiatives involving the Columbus Super Computer Center

Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 10, 2000 from 3:00 - 5:00p.m. in E157 Student Union.