Target 2000 Technology Team
Meeting Minutes of 10/29/98
Technology Committee
Notes of: October 29, 1998 Meeting
Present: Bill Post, Fred Ryan, Cris Guenter, Roy Crosbie, Ben Martz, Randy Miller,
Carolyn Dusenbury, Kay Schenk, Debbie McElroberts, Dan Crozier, Larry Schmunk,
Chuck Worth, Susan Greco, and guests Juliann Rankin and Marc Langston
1. Classroom Technology Committee:
Reminder: We need two volunteers to work with Larry Schmunk and the classroom
technology committee group. Bill will send out a reminder to the whole T2000
committee.
2. Substandard Machines/FCP:
Dan Crozier reported that his sub-committee is continuing to update specs on the
machines. Pricing has also changed in the last two weeks and will continue to change.
Requested agreement from the committee on the proposed policy to charge for trickle
down machines. The first trickle down machine (when being replaced by a new machine)
will be free. Any additional trickle downs from that point on will be charged.
Substandard machines will not be trickled down or connected to the network. Committee
approved this procedure. Fred Ryan will communicate this to the Deans.
3. Growth of Electronic Library:
Juliann Rankin and Marc Langston were present to discuss the Growth of Electronic
Library. The nature of the library collection, what is out there and how it is distributed,
has changed dramatically over the last 12 months. Databases have really increased this
last year. Meriam Library is changing from a CD-ROM base to a Web base. This allows
students access to information from anywhere at anytime, not just physically in the
library. We currently subscribe to about seven indexes that give us access to resources we
wouldn't have otherwise. The subscriptions allow us to continue to have a good
collection. The disadvantage, however, is continued access to the information. An item
might be available today but may be gone tomorrow. A publisher could decide to pull a
title at any time. It is possible to lose several thousand titles overnight. The advantage is
that it provides our students with current information. The library will work on finding
methods and/or vendors by which items can be archived for the historical use. There are
some vendors that may be able to provide such services. OCLC, a non-profit
organization, is one that will guarantee archival functions. Publishers are all struggling
with this. Some publications are beginning to be available via electronic methods only
with no printed versions even being made. At least three such publications have done this
in the last six months.
4. Email Update
Microsoft Exchange migration is going well, about 60% of faculty and staff have
completed migration. The platform is stable and all indications are that performance will
not be an issue.
Netscape: The process for Netscape (the student-messaging platform) is quite different
since we have a 20,000+ user base to consider. Computing has been going through a
rigorous testing phase to identify any and all potential problems. Deployment procedures
have not yet been determined. That phase will have heavy impact on User Services and
Student Computing.
5. SIP Planning (Fred Ryan):
The last meeting of SIP (Systemwide Internal Partnership) was held last week at the
Chancellor's Office. SIP has now been dissolved and its functions have moved to the
Commission for Technology Infrastructure (CTI). President Welty of CSU, Fresno,
chairs the new Commission and its vice chair is Manuel Esteban. Each campus has a
representative; Fred Ryan is Chico's. The Commission also has representation from the
Chancellor's Office, Statewide Academic Senate, students, Alumni Council, CSEA, and
CFA. Its first meeting will be in mid November.
Documents which provided an overview of where we are and the publication, ITS TII,
which reflects the status and directions developed by SIP were distributed. Copies of this
document will be available in Reserved Books in the Library under Information
Resources. Some additional copies will be available in the Information Resources office
as well, let them know if you wish a copy. These documents provide background
concerning our system-wide direction. Focus is on infrastructure build-out and on-going
operations support. Plans must be in place if the legislature is to provide funding.
A survey will be going out to students in mid January (minimum of 100 students per
campus). The survey will help to identify the technology resource competencies that CSU
students must have in order to be able to access information resources and knowledge
experts as part of their learning experience. This will be known as Student-Personal
Information Resource (PIRK).
The system has just recently given a contract to CBT, Computer Based Training, to
provide training modules to each campus. This is to be primarily centrally funded but will
include some funding by the campuses. The overall cost is expected to be about $500,000
for the CSU over the next three years.
The Chancellor's Office is also working on a RFP for PC desktop and laptop computers.
This should provide the system with better pricing for both purchasing and maintenance
of machines. A contract may be awarded as early as December or January.
The system is also in active negotiations with Microsoft to provide software licenses. A
decision on this is expected in mid November.
6. Collaborative Management Systems (CMS)(Fred Ryan):
CMS is also a system-wide initiative. Two draft documents were distributed: 1) CMS
Position Paper and 2) Analysis of CMS Immediate ("First Wave") Implementation. CMS
is the process that relates to the administrative systems on campuses such as payroll,
procurement, student information systems, etc. The Enterprise Systems Committee (ESC)
is the group on our campus focusing on these issues. The cost for Chico is currently
estimated at $12million over a five to seven year period. This price tag is not firm; it
could go even higher. The system-wide cost will probably be around $250,000,000.
Pulling funds out to cover CMS will have significant effect on other programs.
The system is preparing to embark on the first wave of CMS implementation in January
(HR module). The immediate decision with which we are faced is to determine whether
or not we should participate in the "first wave." We have until November 12th to make
this decision. Scott McNall, Provost is our campus' system representative. Consensus of
the ESC, which is a recommending body to the Provost, will probably be not to
participate in the "First Wave." One focus will be to come up with a business plan
schedule for Chico that will fit into our strategic priorities. ESC may request input and
recommendations from the Target 2000 group as the plan is developed. This is a volatile
process and is moving fast. Fred will try to keep the T2000 group informed. Although
participation is not mandated, it is assumed that campuses will participate. Therefore, it is
very important how we position ourselves. Staffing issues are of a major concern.
Staffing is not included in the $12million estimate for our campus.
7. Other:
Agenda items for future meetings were requested. We may want to concentrate on how
we connect to our students off campus.
MEETING SCHEDULE:
(All meetings are on Thursdays, 11:30 &endash; 12:30 in MLIB 455)
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December 3
December 17
Spring meetings TBA
Next Meeting: Thursday, December 3rd, 11:30 &endash; 12:30, MLIB 455