COUNCIL ON ACADEMIC COMPUTING
DR. GEORGE E. KLINZING, CHAIR
MEETING SUMMARY --
JANUARY 11, 2001


The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m.

Committee Business

Smart Board Demonstration -- Don Grimm of Computing Services and Systems Development demonstrated the capabilities of the Smart Board.   Connected to a standard PC and projector through a serial cable, what appears to be a mobile white board becomes a pressure-activated computer screen with white board capabilities.  Through the computer software, Smart Notebook, the individual can use his finger or a pointer as a mouse and work at his computer without physically sitting behind it.  Information may be written on the blank white board with the special colored markers, graphics can be cut and pasted, and the drawing tool may all be used and saved on the computer as a Smart Board file for print out or as an HTML file, which can then be posted to a web page.  The cost ranges from $2,500 for the standard model to $8,000 for a Smart Board with LCD.  It is currently being used in training sessions in GSPIA and has been installed and mounted to the wall in newly renovated classrooms.  CSSD is working with Allan Sampson to explore the possibility of enlarging the projection image for use in lecture halls.

CourseInfo and Cloning Update -- CourseInfo is stable and operating well.  There have been no difficulties in the implementation of Blackboard v. 5.0 but there have been problems with migration tools.  The question arose as to who owns the copyright for materials put into CourseInfo.  The University’s contract with CourseInfo states that the University owns the copyright for teaching materials that our posted on the University's CourseInfo web site and that CourseInfo holds the copyright for jointly developed materials.  It is unknown who owns the copyright if faculty post their materials directly to CourseInfo’s main website.  The question also arose as to who owns the copyright when a faculty member leaves the University.  This is a policy issue that must be addressed and clarified.  The delays in cloning have been resolved.  However, faculty must inform CSSD each term about course availability.  It will not transfer from term to term.

High-End Classroom Report -- Friedman distributed information and reported on his visit to the University of Washington.  An old building on the university’s campus, with a central area on the first floor and a mezzanine level similar to Pitt’s Masonic temple, was renovated and equipped with hundreds of computer work stations and also houses numerous technologically-enabled classrooms . The now-renamed Mary Gates Hall is expected to serve half the undergraduate student body.  Friedman stated that this concept was interesting and wondered if this was something that could be instituted at Pitt, thus eliminating the need for satellite computing labs.

Review of Internet2 Request for Proposals -- No further changes were requested to the High Performance Network Applications Initiative Call for Proposals.  The announcement will distributed in early February and CSSD will hold an informational workshop in mid-February for those interested in applying.

Minutes/Announcements

No changes were requested to the minutes of the December 4, 2000 meeting.

Report of Subcommittees

The Bandwidth Subcommittee has not met.

Security Subcommittee -- Draus reported that the subcommittee would like CSSD to set up training sessions for individuals responsible for maintaining servers so that all have the same competency level.  It was observed that different levels of security are required for different information, e.g., patient data requires a much more stringent level of security.  Questions arose regarding what happens if a server is down and identifying ways to centrally screen data for viruses and encryption and notifying users.

Systems Failure Subcommittee -- Klinzing reported that Thurman Wingrove provided the subcommittee with a working copy of the University’s Business Continuity Plan.  A letter will be distributed to Deans’ Council requesting names of contact people in the schools and centers that the subcommittee may interview regarding how network outages specifically affect their areas.

Report of the Director

Walton was out of town.  Brian Hart reported that CSSD hopes to make an announcement regarding ISP by the end of the month.  The replacement of 176 outdated and defective modems is complete.

 

No new business was discussed.

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.