Minutes

December 4, 1998

PC Classroom Marcus White Microcomputer Lab

Present: Don Adams (Philosophy), Paul Altieri (Economics), Catherine Baratta (Sociology & Social Work), David Blitz (Honors Program), Tom Burkholder (Chemistry), Jim Conway (Psychology), Thom Delventhal (Theatre), Gil Gigliotti (English), Li-Ning Huang (Communication), Paul Karpuk (Modern Languages), Peter LeMaire (Physics & Earth Sciences), Dan LaRose (Mathematical Sciences), Roy Temple (Media Center)

Guest: George Miller (Chair, Curriculum Committee)

Paul Altieri, Committee Co-chair, began the meeting at 2:15 p.m.

1. Announcements:

1. There are problems writing to Web Server 2. Scott Evon will try to correct the problem during the semester break.
2. Roy Temple has posted an announcement for the position of University Web Publisher (webmaster). If the person who fills this position also administers the server, it may be beneficial to our department webmasters.
3. The power failure over the weekend caused network problems. Some network services were restored on Sunday. Some buildings were not back on line until mid-day Monday. As we become more dependent on the computer network, support services outside of normal business day become more important.
4. Webmasters (departments) have no authority over objectionable material on individual faculty web pages. University policy is that all legally protected material may be on the web. This issue is not addressed in the CSU-AAUP contract. Some questions raised:
• Is web material for a course considered similar to the issue of course content and protected under the principle of academic freedom?
• Would factual errors or misrepresentations justify intervention?
• If you post something on a university server, should this be treated any differently from something you post on your office door?
5. Computer orders are on a three to four year cycle. Chairs should submit information for faculty computers by December 11. There are cases of machines that have been moved from one user to another. An equipment transfer request should be used that we know the location of all faculty computers.

2. The minutes of the meeting of November 6 were approved.
   

3. Paul Altieri demonstrated the new Arts & Sciences web page. He asked members to check their department section for accuracy.
   

4. David Blitz gave a presentations of his on-line course, Philosophy 135. He discussed different uses of computers in instruction: in class demonstrations, computer assistance outside of class, and on-line courses. Questions were raised about how withdrawals are handled and whether the instructor receives a printed grade sheet like those for standard courses.
   

5. Dan Larose demonstrated his course, Statistics 200. The discussion group for his course did not work well. Students weren't "talkative." The gif files he added to his pages didn't work and the Greek characters would not display on the screen.
   

He showed the time tracking feature of the Real Education program. This feature shows how long students are logged in, not how much time they spend on the material. Next semester he wants to administer the final in person.

6. Roy Temple explained that the webmaster position has been posted internally. After 10 days it will be advertised to the public. He wants the webmaster to be a resource person for the department webmasters.
   

7. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Minutes submitted by
Don Adams
Department of Philosophy