Computer Committee

Meeting Minutes

Meeting: 11 October 2001
LH 10:00-12:00 p.m.

PRESENT: M. Anderson, N. DeLeon, W. Dorin, J. Gerzema, S. Higgins, R. Kini, J. Knapp, C. Scott (Chair), T. Stabler, and C. Wood, M. Uncapher and D. Steward, ex officio.

ABSENT: none

1. The meeting began with a review of the Mac situation in HH428. After reviewing usage schedules for HH428 and other Mac labs, along with three alternative proposals prepared by C. Wood in consultation with J. Gerzema, the committee unanimously recommended that the machines in HH428 be replaced with 28 Mac G4's as soon as possible. After discussion with M. Uncapher regarding the relative failure rates of these Mac's the committee concluded that the proposal did not need to include MacIntosh monitors for the machines, and that the Applecare costs could be deleted. The committee recommended using the savings from those two elements to purchase two or three additional Mac G4's for use as replacements in the lab as needed. This would guarantee full lab capabilities at all times.
2. The next item addressed is the need for IT personnel to “ghost” each of the PC laboratories on a weekly basis. Since scheduling of laboratory classrooms has been turned over to the Office of the Registrar, there have been several occasions when scheduled times for “ghosting” machines has been “bumped” in favor of class sessions or use of the rooms for “special” training sessions by either on-campus or off-campus groups. This has led to a situation where several PC labs have gone for periods of up to a full month without being “ghosted” with the current “build.” IT has not been able to guarantee to instructors of regularly scheduled classes that the machines in the labs are in uniform condition. The chair agreed to meet with the Registrar and M. Uncapher to attempt establishing a schedule that could be maintained to assure faculty of uniformly correct and properly configured machines in the PC labs.
3. Next the committee revisited the Software License Policy presented to the Faculty Organization last year and passed by that body. Implementation had not yet begun. VC Steward informed the committee that before implementation, he had the policy reviewed by the IU legal staff. Although they had some reservations about the vagueness of some terms such as “substantial compliance” and “reasonable time,” they felt the policy was adequate. After a brief discussion, it was recommended that implementation begin as soon as practical. VC Steward will try to secure time at an Academic Council meeting and Senior Staff meeting in October or November to present the policy/procedure to the Deans and Directors, allowing approximately one month after that time to begin actual inspections.
4. The next item discussed was the proposed Distribution and Support of Departmental and Individual Printers at IUN policy statement prepared by VC Steward. The committee has been charged by the Faculty Organization to draft a substitute policy for its consideration at it's next meeting. Timing requirements mean that it cannot be presented to the F.O. for discussion and review until the November meeting. Much discussion ensued over the intent and purpose of the proposal, as well as its lack of acceptability to the faculty. The committee charged the chair and J. Knapp to meet and draft a substitute policy for its review at its November meeting. The policy on Distribution and Support of Desktop Systems at IUN is to be likewise revised and revisited in November.
5. It was decided that the most appropriate meeting time for future meetings is the second Friday of each month at the same time.
6. The meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.