Arts & Sciences Computer Committee
Minutes
November 19, 1999
Copernicus Hall Room 224
Present: Paul Altieri (Economics), Louis Auld (Modern
Languages), Tim Bakken (Criminology and
CJ), David Blitz (Honors Program), Tom Burkholder (Chemistry), Carol Jones
(Arts & Sciences), Brian O'Connell
(Computer Science), Clayton Penniman ( Biological Sciences), Moises
Salinas (Psychology), Rae Schipke (English), William Sherman (Info. Supp.
Serv.), Marc Triebwasser (Political
Science).
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m.
- The minutes of October 7, 1999 were approved (O'Connell/Penniman).
- The committee had requested a clarification of President Judd's
rejection of the University Web Access Policy. The problem was with
some legal issues, especially as they pertain to staff. Dave Blitz
suggested that the title "University Web Access
Policy" may be the problem. A university policy for faculty only,
not including staff and students, may not face the same objections and
legal issues.
- Paul Altieri asked that all departments return the computer
inventory form that was sent via the campus mail. The information on
the form will be used to determine who will receive a new computer
during this academic year. Bill Sherman added that faculty have the
option of requesting a laptop, rather than a desktop computer, as a
replacement for their current computer. They must choose one or the
other. Faculty cannot have both a desktop and a laptop computer.
- The draft of the University Policy on Unsolicited Electronic
Communications was discussed. This policy has not been adopted and it
is not likely to be adopted.
The question of how faculty can distribute information to other
faculty and the campus community was addressed. Some possibilities are
to use listervs and a bulletin board system. Bill Sherman demonstrated
a campus bulletin board that is currently being developed. This
bulletin board will replacement the announcements function. It also
includes the phone directory, student center events and has the
capability to include bulletin boards for classes.
Members felt that the campus network should allow three general areas
of communication:
1) get specific information out to faculty,
2) circulate general information
3) provide a forum for discussion of major campus issues.
The Exchange Server can support these functions. The problem is how
get faculty to limit their use to appropriate information, and
how to avoid overloading the system. Brian O'Connell, Dave Blitz and
Rae Schipke will draft a set of policy guidelines for the committee to
consider.
- Some issues concerning the rollout of Office 2000 were mentioned.
The most notable problems were using Office 2000 on slower computers
and that "install on first use" does not work in certain
specific cases.
- The next meeting will be held on Friday, February 4, 2000 at 2:00
p.m. in the Media Center.
- The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
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