1 Introductions of new members to the committee were the first order of business.

2. The second order of business was selecting a secretary. It was agreed that there would be a rotating secretary for each meeting. Selection will be alphabetical, beginning at the end of the department list.

3. The third order was the selection of chair(s) for the 1998-99 academic year. Marc suggested co-chairs. Dave Blitz motioned for co-chairs, seconded by Tom Burkholder (Chemistry). There was no discussion. The committee concurred unanimously.

Motions for nominations were entertained. The following were nominated: Paul Altieri, Tom Burkholder, Dan Larose, and Marc Triebwasser. Dave Blitz conducted the election. Paul Altieri and Marc Triebwasser were elected co-chairs.

The meeting continued with Marc Triebwasser and Paul Altieri leading.

4. John Rutherford updated the committee on a recent library acquisition: a video server, an authoring tool which was available for use. He explained its function.

5. Dave Blitz distributed flyers announcing an upcoming Teaching Excellence Forum presentation: On-Line Learning. It will take place on Thursday, October 8, from 12:00 tol:30 PM in the Mountain Laurel Room, Memorial Hall. He distributed copies of his presentation text On-Line Courses--Ten Questions and Partial Responses for possible feedback.

6. Scott Evon of Information Services gave a presentation to the committee on Microsoft Outlook, which will be replacing the VAX e-mail system. Topics discussed included: the reasons for change; the functionality of the environment: using and accessing e-mail from the desktop and over the internet, calendar, scheduling; and migration to the new system. Eudora and Netscape mail can be migrated to the new system. Old VAX mail will remain there for now.

He entertained questions regarding the new program. There were concerns regarding security and privacy issues, who has access to calendar, whether usernames and e-mail addresses will change

Scott Evon discussed with the committee the process of changing over each machine. This will be done by department. Prior to migration, each department will attend a training session that will last approximately two hours. Conversion to the new system will be completed within one to two days following the training. Conversion will take approximately 15 minutes per machine. The goal is to handle 80 people per week.

To date conversion of the School of Technology has been completed. (That school's staff assisted in the conversion). The School of Business is ready to go. (They have staff available to assist.) Arts & Sciences is targeted for a late December or January start date.

7. Paul Altieri discussed with the committee the major changes with departmental Web pages. Each department and every faculty member can maintain their own web page. Paul's student helper (a university assistant) is available to assist departments with their Web sites. Suggestions were entertained regarding the Arts & Sciences Web pages (e.g. HyperAlpha search capabilities).

A discussion followed regarding the lack of resources (people and money) available in Arts & Sciences to facilitate the conversion process and other computer matters. Many members of the committee voiced strong concern regarding this issue.

8. A motion was made by Dan Larose and seconded by Tom Burkholder:
The A&S Computer Committee urgently recommends the immediate hiring of a full time information technology technician for the School.

A discussion followed regarding the availability of funding for such a position and the likelihood it could be filled, given lucrative employment prospects for skilled computer personnel in the private sector.

Marc Triebwasser moved the motion.

The motion was unanimously approved by the Committee. Paul Altieri and Marc Triebwasser will meet with Dean Higgins to discuss the issue.

9. Joan Calvert from Academic Computing informed the Committee of recent changes and of issues that will need further discussion and action: Bill Sherman, the new Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, assumes the responsibilities for Telecommunications, the Media Center, Academic Computing, and Information Services on October 16, 1998.

Joan Calvert announced the formation of a University-wide computer committee and discussed the proposed membership structure: one University full time Webmaven, four Webmasters (one from each school), one person from Information Services, one person from the Library, one person from the Media Center, and faculty from each school.

The issues that need to be discussed include the membership of the Academic Computing Funding Review Committee; a possible laptop program for students; On-Line CSU; software and site licensing (central vs. individual licensing of faculty software); and classroom software (where funding comes from: department, school, or University-wide budgets ?). Can funding be set aside for teaching software? What about funding for training and support? Academic Computing is planning for another teaching technology workshop this fall.

10. The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. Send Marc Triebwasser agenda items.

11. The meeting was adjoined at 3:45 p.m.