Academic Computing Committee

Administrative Computing Committee

Computer Services

Curricular Design

Web Resources

IT Links

Union Home Page

Minutes of Meetings:
February 16, 2000:
3:30 Wednesday,  Olin 206

Present: Batson, Cossey, Keller, Klein, McFadden, Traver

1. Review of last week's minutes

2. Diane Keller's report on desktop computers.   Diane distributed the most recent inventory of faculty desktop computers, and explained that she uses replacement money available to upgrade and replace computers on an "as needed" bases.  We discussed the best way for her to be made aware of needs.  Currently, it is based on OCS knowledge of what a faculty member has, plus individual faculty requests.  Diane also pointed out that there is growing demand to provide computers for Departmental assistants (staff technicians), for emeritus faculty, faculty on sabbatical, and for people visiting campus, sometimes for one term or less.   All of this stretches both our budget and our support staff.  Diane pointed out that there is more of a problem on the Mac side than on the PC side.

We discussed polling chairs for Departmental needs; Cherrice Traver suggested polling individual faculty, perhaps through a web page request form, to determine needs.  Tom McFadden felt that such a poll would be a useful assessment tool.  Doug and Diane expressed some concern that it might reveal greater demand than we were able to fulfill.

3. Tom McFadden's report on technology and scholarship; finally finalize the letter to the FRB and send it off, with attachments.  Tom has distributed copies of a collection of articles on electronic publishing and faculty rewards, and has sent 10 copies of "The Disciplines Speak" to Christie for distribution to the FRB.  The letter will be sent to the FRB this week, along with attachments.

In brief, Tom's conclusions are as follows:
- Publication in electronic journals is not yet very common, and neither are refereed e-journals
- There remains a strong perception that publication in electronic journals of any kind is slightly suspect, and that certainly publication in an e-journal that is not peer-reviewed in the traditional way is of little value in the rewards system.
- Not very many institutions have tackled the problem of providing guidelines for how to incorporate computer-related work into the traditional rewards structure.
- Not very many institutions have tackled the problem of redefining "scholarship" in ways that will give equal weight to activities other than traditional research and publication in print, peer-reviewed journals.
- Some academic disciplines, as represented by the attached model statements, are taking an innovative approach to these issues.

4. Humanities Division Chairs.  Charles Batson and Doug Klein reported on a meeting with Humanities Division Chairs.  Main areas of concern expressed by the chairs include:
- Budgets for technology (Div. I has essentially none)
- Hardware and software support (would like more; particularly at the level of learning what is out there and what is useful and effective)
- Mac support, especially
- Guidance and support in locating funding and support, internally or externally.

5. Public relations for IT. - Brainstorming. We very briefly started to discuss how to better make the case for campus-wide support of IT. 

6. Internet Connection.  Dave Cossey reported that he is still receiving bids for increasing our internet connection capacity.   Three or four vendors are still in the running.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The video-conferencing system is being installed in the Olin Building this week.  It will soon be available for use.  Contact Ginny Solomon in Instructional Technology.

NOTE:  No meeting Feb. 23.  Next meeting March 1; 3:30 pm

© 2000  Union College, Schenectady, New York
Page maintained by J. Douglass Klein, Associate Dean for Information Technology.
Last updated 02/16/2000