Council on Academic Computing

September 22, 2003

Meeting Summary

FUTURE COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

George Klinzing discussed the issues that the Provost may ask the Council to address.  The Provost may ask the Council to:

  • Work with CSSD to provide guidance on matters related to web access by disabled individuals.
  • Work with CSSD to investigate how new technological devices and processes can be used to enhance the security of University networks.
  • Explore how the University can satisfy the needs of both the academic community and the individual researcher over the next five to ten years.
  • Sponsor a Fast Computing Connection Applications Initiative that will encourage innovative uses of high-speed internet access.

REPORT FROM COMPUTING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

Jinx Walton, Director of Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD), discussed issues related to copyright infringement and computer viruses.  CSSD placed posters in the University’s residence halls warning students of the consequences of downloading and distributing copyrighted material.  CSSD expended significant effort cleaning viruses from students’ computers at the beginning of the fall term.

Electronic resources also were discussed.  University bandwith has doubled to two 160 megabyte links to the Internet (one for the residence halls and one for the remainder of the University).  Wireless internet access is being or will be installed in David Lawrence Hall and some Cathedral of Learning and Posvar Hall classrooms.  Three hundred new machines were installed in the University’s computer labs.

Other issues were also discussed:

  • Increasing use of University printing quotas
  • Use of e-mail kiosks (approximately 1700 uses per day)
  • Distribution of University-licensed software
  • Use of the faculty and student portals

MISCELLANEOUS

Members of the Council also discussed the University’s proposed Center for National Preparedness and the state-wide consortium entitled the Keystone Alliance.  The Center is to be the focal point of homeland security research and education at the University.  The Keystone Alliance is a consortium of CMU, Penn, Penn State, and Pitt devoted to intra-state cooperation in homeland security research and education.