Council
on Academic Computing (CAC)
1999-2000 Activities Report
The CAC was established in
December 1999 to provide guidance to the Provost regarding academic computing
issues; specifically by recommending priorities and policies, and reviewing
proposals in the areas of network services, acquisition of instructional
software, and development of specialized facilities.
Issues
Distance Education
A subcommittee, comprised of Cohn, Draus, Duck, and Friedman, was formed to assess what
measures could be taken to enhance distance education. In general, the group reported that
University’s practices are keeping in touch with distance learning developments
and that keeping a small but active endeavor was the path to follow. Reports that have recently surfaced from the
Preliminary observations/recommendations:
·
Increased
stability of the CourseInfo product is desirable.
·
More
extensive faculty beta testing before new version release is key, with new
versions or “fixes” introduced at non-critical times in the semester.
·
Full
staffing is needed to support busy times in the semester (e.g., 3 weeks before
a new semester, and 3 weeks into the semester), as well as accurate projections
of future staffing needed to accommodate increased CourseInfo
use.
·
Increased
communication concerning CourseInfo to faculty users
is desirable (i.e., prompt communication of unexpected problems; sharing of
user solutions; Academic calendar; Web-based “tech tips” file).
·
Online
new course and course cloning requests.
Faculty input into CourseInfo calendaring,
policy and operational changes to provide ongoing user input is desirable. A CourseInfo
advisory group is a possibility.
·
More
frequent administrative communication concerning CourseInfo
may be helpful.
·
It
is unlikely individual academic units, or student users will be charged for CourseInfo use.
It was suggested that Dean Susan Kinsey be invited
to address Council regarding CGS’s efforts in
distance education.
Internet2 Opportunities
A number of different news items
were presented to CAC involving opportunities to use high-speed Internet2
connections. In order to get a more
complete picture of the opportunities, David Brienza
of SHRS was asked to report back after attending the Spring Internet2
meeting. He summarized the uses of I2,
funding for applications, and gaining access to I2.
CAC members will poll their units regarding
potential Internet2 applications and submit summaries by September 2000.
A program announcement to solicit proposals for
development of Internet2 applications was discussed.
Bandwidth
Gordon reported on the current bandwidth status and
the plans to upgrade. Council will
discuss the demands on the network and acceptable use policies in the next
academic year. This is a complex topic
that will require further discussion.
Some tradeoffs and compromises may be in order.
Laptop Program
Frank Miller of the Katz Graduate School of
Business provided CAC with an overview of the student computer initiative (IBM
Leasing Program) in place at KGSB.
Klinzing is to probe the possibility of interactive transmission with
David Brown at
Information Sessions
CAC met with Diane Davis to assess the current climate for
distance education and toured CIDDE’s new site in the
Michael Arenth of CIDDE
presented an overview of the technological capabilities available in B75 Mervis Hall.
Rush Miller, Fern Brody, and Tim Deliyannides gave a
presentation of ULS electronic capabilities.
1999-2000 CAC Members
|
Melanie
Anderson |
UPT |
|
Siddharth Chandra |
GSPIA |
|
Ellen
Cohn |
SHRS |
|
Andrew
Connolly |
FAS/Physics
& Astronomy |
|
Gregory
Dick |
UPJ |
|
Peter Draus |
Nursing |
|
Marek Druzdzel |
SIS |
|
Patricia
Duck |
UPG |
|
Charles
Friedman |
Medicine |
|
Irene
Frieze |
FAS/Psychology
representing SCUC |
|
Dennis Galletta |
KGSB |
|
Arthur
Hellman |
Law |
|
Ronald Hoelzeman |
Engineering |
|
Norman Hummon |
FAS/Sociology |
|
|
FAS/Chemistry |
|
Susan Sereika |
Nursing
representing SCUC |
|
Clement
Stone |
Education |
|
Michael
Zemaitis |
Pharmacy |
Chair: George E. Klinzing, Office
of the Provost
Staff
Liaisons: Maurice Gordon, Network
Services
Jinx
Walton, Computing Services & Systems Development
Observer: Thalia Jones, Office of the Provost
Guests: Michael
Arenth, CIDDE
David
Brienza, SHRS
Fern
Brody, ULS
Diane Davis, CIDDE
Tim
Deliyannides, ULS
Frank Miller, KGSB
Rush Miller, ULS