Council
on Academic Computing (CAC)
2000 – 2001 Activities Report
On
Subcommittees
Three subcommittees were formed in response to the
Provost’s charge.
Bandwidth
A subcommittee, comprised of Connolly, Dick, Galletta, and Hoelzeman, was
formed to study options available for distributing bandwidth and recommend long
term solutions.
The group recommends:
1.
That
students, staff, and faculty receive a “basic level” of connectivity and
associated bandwidth consistent with a modern research university.
2.
That
a mechanism be developed to allow users who want a “higher level” of network
performance to access higher performing channels at a premium price.
3.
That
a new pricing structure be implemented soon, before the University hits the
inevitable bandwidth crunch.
The full report of the Bandwidth subcommittee can
be viewed at http://www.pitt.edu/~vpres/CAC/Projects/bandwidth2001.
Security
Chandra, Draus, Hellman,
and Jordan were asked to examine system security issues.
Their recommendations:
1.
Publicize
security policies.
2.
Set
up training for server operators.
3.
Have
varying levels of security on different sections of the network and on
different servers.
4.
Provide
central screening of files/mail for viruses if possible.
5.
Set
up a security problem reporting system via the help desk and Web, not only to
track problems but to help highlight security issues.
6.
Provide
some mechanism to alert or educate the end user on issues of security.
The subcommittee’s full report is available at http://www.pitt.edu/~vpres/CAC/Projects/security2001.
Systems Failure
Cohn, Frieze, Sereika,
Stone, and Vana were asked to determine the impact of
University-wide systems failure on faculty academic computing, and, to advise
the Provost on these issues. The group
has detailed instances from twenty-five sites of past and potential network
computing disruptions. The group
recommends continued dialogue and heightened awareness of the impacts of
systems disasters. Individual units may
want to evolve their business practices in a manner that could offset the
effects of short-term network disruptions.
Their full report is located at http://www.pitt.edu/~vpres/CAC/Projects/systemsfailure2001.
High Performance Network
Applications Initiative
A call for proposals was developed for the High
Performance Network Applications Initiative.
Proposals to the program were asked to promote the development and use
of advanced computer networks and accelerate the development of next generation
network-based applications at the
A total of 11 proposals were
submitted to High Performance Network Applications Initiative. Six proposals were funded, yielding a greater
than 50% funding rate. Grant topics
range from addressing social problems through the use of Internet2 capabilities
to providing a training environment for ophthalmologists. Awardees include
Issues
CourseInfo
An update was provided on CourseInfo. CourseInfo is stable and operating well. The issue of copyright ownership of materials
will need to be addressed in the future.
High-end Classrooms
Friedman reported on high-end
classrooms at the
Information Sessions
Dr. David
Brown, Professor of Economics, Dean of the
Donald Grimm of Computing Services and Systems Development
provided Council with a demonstration of SmartBoard
capabilities. Through SmartNotebook software, an individual can use his finger or
a pointer as a mouse to work at a computer without physically sitting behind
it.
Michael Arenth of the Center for
Instructional Development and Distance Education (CIDDE) demonstrated Tegrity to members of Council. Tegrity is a
complete hardware/software presentation system created and based in
Nicholas Laudato of CIDDE demonstrated Janus
to Council. Janus
is a desktop display screen that can be connected to a standard portable
computer and projector for classroom use.
Jinx Walton provided Council with regular updates
regarding developments in and improvements to the University’s computing
environment.
2000 - 2001 CAC Members
|
Melanie
Anderson |
UPT |
|
Siddharth Chandra |
GSPIA |
|
|
FAS/Mathematics |
|
Ellen
Cohn |
SHRS |
|
Andrew
Connolly |
FAS/Physics
& Astronomy |
|
Gregory
Dick |
UPJ |
|
Peter Draus |
Nursing |
|
Charles
Friedman |
Medicine |
|
Irene
Frieze |
FAS/Psychology
representing SCUC |
|
Dennis Galletta |
KGSB |
|
Arthur
Hellman |
Law |
|
Ronald Hoelzeman |
Engineering |
|
|
FAS/Chemistry |
|
Hassan Karimi |
SIS |
|
Susan Sereika |
Nursing
representing SCUC |
|
Clement
Stone |
Education |
|
Clara Vana |
UPG |
|
Michael
Zemaitis |
Pharmacy |
Chair: George E. Klinzing, Office
of the Provost
Staff
Liaison: Jinx Walton,
Computing Services & Systems Development
Observer: Thalia Jones, Office of the Provost
Guests: Michael
Arenth, CIDDE
David Brown,
Donald Grimm, CSSD
Nicholas
Laudato, CIDDE