Information Technology Advisory Committee
TO:
Information Technology Advisory Committee
[Jim Brown (Chair), Karla Carney, Kay Clouse, Ian Dees, John Dixon, Jean Donham, Dee
Ann Rexroat, Elizabeth Schau, Todd White, Andy Wildenberg]
FR:
Jim Brown, Chair
RE:
Minutes of the meeting of 14 March, 2006
Present: Jim Brown, Ian Dees, Jean Donham, Elizabeth Schau, Andy Wildenberg
I. Web redesign status. Ian reported for the Web Policy Subcommittee that there have been a small
number of conversations with potential web redesign firms regarding the redesign of Cornell’s site,
for prices ranging up over $100,000. Discussion centered on whether the college is ready to make
design decisions, whether we are ready to engage a consultant or vendor, and whether there has
been sufficient consultation with the broader college community regarding what services the site
most needs to provide. The Committee was skeptical that we could be in a position to execute a
redesign this summer, which had been expected.
Added note: Follow-up conversations with Dee Ann Rexroat and Jonathan Stroud after the
meeting disclosed that they too think we are not ready to make an immediate push to redo the site.
Background work and community consultation will proceed until we are in a better-informed
position. It is not believed that we need to wait for summer to do much of the site work involved.
I will ask for a report on current plans at the April meeting.
II. Remote desktop. It was reported that IT feels too much server reconfiguration would have to be
done in order to re-implement remote desktop capability with the current operating system and
network equipment. It is anticipated that network hardware replacement this summer will reduce
the impediments to bringing up remote desktop capability. The Committee recommends this
implementation as the new network is configured and brought on line so that remote desktop will
be available in the fall. The Committee also asked for an analysis by IT of the costs and benefits
of more general VPN access to on-campus computers.
III. On-line catalogue: There was discussion regarding a decision to publish the college catalogue on
line only and whether consequences had been sufficiently broadly discussed. Dee Ann will report
at the April meeting.
IV. Student print allocation usage. Deferred until April when John Dixon is available.
V. Brief updates
1. Instructional Technology Subcommittee report. Andy reported the subcommittee’s
recommendation that Moodle use ID photos only, with no ability to replace photos or
names. ITAC voted to support this recommendation.
2. Web Policy Subcommittee report. Ian reported that new webmaster James Clark has taken
over communications with web page owners.