Council on Academic Computing (CAC)

Dr. George E. Klinzing, Chair

Meeting Summary – october 2, 2000

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 2:38 p.m.

 

 

Minutes/Announcements

 

No changes were requested to the minutes of the September 7, 2000 meeting.

 

 

Charge to Council

 

Provost Maher addressed Council and delivered the following charge.

 

  1. Study the options available for distributing bandwidth and look for long-term solutions.  (How do we ration a scarce resource?)  Consider what other universities are doing in this area and what we’re doing with bandwidth for teaching and research.  (What is appropriate usage?)
  2. Examine the impact of system failures.  (How do crashes affect different programs?)  Develop an understanding of what can be done when these crashes occur and how to minimize the deleterious effects of such crashes.
  3. Address computer security issues.  (It is essential that access to the network be appropriately vetted.) 
  4. Develop an RFP to solicit proposals for exciting use of Internet2 connections to enhance teaching and research.  Find interested faculty and stimulate proposal development.
  5. Revisit use of technology in the classroom.  (What is possible with laptop instruction and video mode workshop delivery?)

 

The Provost asked that CAC work in conjunction with the Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence in assessing technology in the classroom.  When asked about prioritizing his list, the Provost recommended that Council be broken into subcommittees for each of the five areas so that all of the issues can be addressed.

 

 

Committee Business

 

Klinzing will draft an RFP for Internet2 usage that Council can review at its next meeting.  Gordon will hold educational workshops to trigger faculty interest.  Friedman cautioned that as of the present time, faculty on the UPMC network cannot directly connect to Internet2 and would therefore be ineligible for the program.  Klinzing opted to proceed with the RFP.

 

Subcommittees were formed for the first three areas of the Provost’s charge.  The Bandwidth subcommittee will be comprised of Connolly, Dick, Gallettta, and Hoelzeman (Chair).  The Systems Failure subcommittee will be comprised of Cohn (Chair), Frieze, and Stone.  The Computer Security subcommittee will include Chandra, Draus (Chair), Hellman, and Jordan.  Subcommittee chairs should convene their groups and deliver a short report at the next meeting of Council.  Gordon and Walton were asked to provide a resource person for the Bandwidth and Systems Failure subcommittees.  Robert James will work with the Computer Security subcommittee.

 

The Bandwidth subcommittee requested that be informed about hardware issues.  Walton and Gordon were also asked to provide background information regarding the structure of the system, the administrative structure regarding decisions in these areas, and a crisis management plan.

 

 

Report of the Directors

 

The directors will report at the next meeting.

 

 

New Business

 

No new business was discussed.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.