UTAC 21-APR-2009 Meeting Summary ****DRAFT****
Attendance: Art Acton, Paul Bylaska, Dave Hartley, Steve Johnson, Julie London, Mike Phillips, Sam Puleio, Edna Reid, Steve Selker, Debbie Sobina, Terry Latour
Administrative Items
The 9-DEC-2008 Meeting Summary was approved.
Student E-mail Pilot
The committee reviewed a report on the findings from the student e-mail pilot of the Microsoft WindowsLive@Edu service. Under the pilot model, a student-only Clarion e-mail domain was established. The service includes 10GB of e-mail storage, support for attachments up to 20MB, a Microsoft Outlook-style web interface, and a variety of related bundled applications including web-based file storage. It also includes an "e-mail for life" provision that would enable students to keep their e-mail account after they graduate. UTAC reviewed some possible deployment timelines and agreed to advance a recommendation to the Provost to deploy the new service for all students (with associated reviews with the Council of Deans and the President's Executive Council (PEC)).
Summer 2009 Tech Fee Reallocations
The committee reviewed a report summarizing the requests for former Tech Fee equipment that will be available for reallocation after the Summer 2009 project renewals are completed (as approved at the DEC-2009 meeting). Nine proposals were submitted and and requests for the reallocation of 41 units (desktops and laptops) were endorsed. The recommendations will now be advanced to the Provost and finalized with PEC. The approved reallocation units are expected to be deployed late summer/early fall.
2009-10 Tech Fee
Status of Wireless and Smart Classroom Projects:
The committee reviewed a summary report of the wireless network and smart classroom Tech Fee initiatives the started in 2006-07. The wireless network plan will be completed this summer with new service for the Science and Technology building and retrofits of the remaining legacy systems in Carlson, gemmell, Harvey, and the Residence Hall Area Desks. In all, some 290 wireless access points were deployed across the university, including the following locations: Becker, Montgomery, Still, Rhoades, Suhr, Stevens, Frame, Davis, Founders, Hart, Keeling, the Residence Hall Suites, Eagle Commons (lower level), Marwick Boyd, and Tippin.
Numerous projects for phase three of the smart classroom initiative will also be completed by the end of the summer. With the end of phase three, the top priorities for the classroom projects defined by the colleges have been completed. Projects included 61 full classrooms and incremental upgrades for numerous other rooms including 20 projectors, 45 computers, and 14 document cameras. Apprimately 15 classrooms remain across areas such as Founder, Becker, and Marwick Boyd. A Phase Four of a Tech Fee Smart Classroom initiative will be needed to complete the remaining rooms.
2009-10 Proposals:
UTAC reviewed the report and recommendations from the Tech Fee Review subcommittee. For 09/10, 22 proposals were received. Consideration was also given "phase four" of the Smart Classroom initiatives. Budget adjustments for the replacement equipment fund escrow and annual software fees for items such as Blackboard were noted. The subcommittee's list of recommended projects was discussed and endorsed. The projects endorsed by UTAC will be routed to the Provost for further review. In doing so, UTAC will also recommend that consideration be given to development of a multi-year life replacement plan for campus computer lab and laptop cart resources. After the Provost review, recommendations are routed to PEC for final approval, with approved projects targeted for implementation during 2009-10.
Misc. IT-related Updates
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PASSHE LCMS Task Force
The committee reviewed an update from PASSHE on the status of the state Learning Management System (LMS) contracts. PASSHE contracts for Blackboard, eCollege, and WebCT expire June 2010 and are required to be re-bid. In addition to the LMS product, research is also being completed to identify a LCMS (content management) solution that could provide a more robust repository for course content. PASSHE is working with a consultant to define a blueprint to outline the pros/cons for a LCMS and realted strategies for migration, hosting, and procurement. A. Acton will coordinate a campus discussion of the blueprint via the Blackboard-L group. PASSHE committees will ultimately be formed to complete a RFP for the replacement services. Additional updates are expected in the fall.
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PASSHE SIS Project
The committee reviewed the status of the PASSHE Student Information System (SIS) RFP for the seven universities that are in need of a new SIS. The vendor finalists have been identified an evaluation committee is working through the review process to identify the recommended solution for Clarion. The vendor selection and associated collaboration plans for the implementing schools are expected to be finalized this summer, with contract and project initiation to follow in the fall.
