| Board Members |
| Bylaws |
| Task and Issues (PDF) |
| Teaching Technology Obstacles and Solutions |
| Current Meeting Calendar and Minutes |
| Past Years Minutes: |
Academic & Research Computing Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2001
Present: R. Mackert, Chair, R. Baker, G. Bentley, C. Billman, C. Cassels, R. Cibirka, V. Haywood, M. Litaker, M. Miller, M. Moore, M. Owen, K. Rindt, S. Vogel, C. White, Ronald Wirtz (for K. Stephens). Absent: A. Albritton, D. Hatmaker, F. Omar.
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm.
The minutes were reviewed and Dr. Mike Miller noted a correction to change the title from the Technology Fee Committee to the Mandatory Student Fee Committee. The amended minutes were unanimously approved.
Dr. Mackert reiterated one charge of the ACAB membership was to develop mechanisms for effective two-way communication within the individual schools. Dr. Mackert requested representatives from each school to report on the mechanism(s) identified to provide the most effective means of communication. These are listed below:
| School of Dentistry: | E-mail and regular faculty meetings |
| School of Medicine: | A generalized lack of regular meetings and attendance at these meetings will complicate the effectiveness of communication within the school. Department Chairs meetings and Faculty Senate were offered as options; however, both suffer from the same limitations. E-mail is often not well read. The concept of an ACAB web page may offer another portal to reach faculty. This school may prove problematic and no one mechanism may prove to be effective |
| School of Nursing: | Four annual general faculty meetings will have a report from the ACAB committee added to its agenda. |
| School of Allied HS: | Department chairs meetings will facilitate an effective means of communication. ACAB is placed on the agenda. ACAB minutes are mailed to AHS faculty |
| Graduate School: |
Rod Mackert noted that an ACAB web page might be an avenue to pursue to provide faculty information related to technology. Clare Billman stated that information for faculty is presently available in many locations if they want to get it. Van Haywood noted that many faculty do not know how to go about finding information resources.
Steve Vogel described frustrations related to the use of information services division and the help desk. He wanted to know how this organization interacts with ACAB or OEDD. Rod Mackert will check with Doogie Howser on the organization and relationships between ISD, OEDD and ACAB.
Steve Vogel further noted difficulty with e-mail (GroupWise) and the attachment of files. Many large files cannot be transmitted and his opinion is this limitation impinges on the academic activities of faculty with corroborative colleagues. Clare Billman will check with ISD on alternative mechanisms for large file transfers, possible an additional FTP site.
Dr. Mike Miller distributed a handout to address student issues for the ACAB. The handout with explanation described the Mandatory Student Fee Committee membership, an accounting of the student technology fee, waiver of out-of state tuition, sources of support services needed (online admissions applications), and the development of the new student information system. Dr. Miller suggested contacting Dr. Butterbaugh or Goldstein for a Mandatory Student Fee Committee agenda item. Online applications for undergraduate and graduate programs (excluding PA program) should be available for Fall 2002. School of Dentistry applications are more complex and being investigated. School of Medicine applicants apply to a central application service and not directly to MCG. The new student information system, Enrollment Management Information System, has been adopted at G. Tech and G. State and possibly soon at UGA. If anyone is interested in focus group participation they should contact R. Cross AA-198, 1-0955. Dr. Miller described the anticipated mandatory university system conversion to Banner and this may not be effective for the SOM and SOD as an admissions registry. These two schools comprise >50% of our active enrollment so an exempt status may be pursued.
Gayle Bentley inquired about credit payments with the new online system and Dr. Miller responded this was an option. Gayle requested whether the individual schools were responsible for replacing members on the Mandatory Student Fee Committee. Dr. Miller was not certain and would follow up. Lastly, Gayle asked whether the student lab described in the FY 01 Student Technology Fee budget was for online testing, and Dr. Miller believed it was not.
Chris White described additional difficulties with student access or utilization of the existing e-mail system. This makes distance teaching difficult. Many students have third party accounts for their e-mail and rarely access the MCG system to check e-mail. Allowing interaction between GroupWise and third-party accounts may minimize this problem. Mike Miller noted this interaction is one-way due to security reasons. Third-party accounts may be automatically forwarded to GroupWise, but GroupWise is currently configured to prohibit rule-based, automatic forwarding of e-mails to third-party accounts. Mike Miller would like ACAB to consider the feasibility of improved third party interactions with GroupWise and further discussion with ITD.
Rod Mackert asked the members present to review the tracking and issues document to help prioritize items and offer assistance with items of importance to the members.
Randy Baker requested the topic of network accessible campus dormitory wiring to be a priority. Dr. Miller stated this was being investigated with consideration of accessibility through wireless modems or Comcast cable modems.
Gayle Bentley stated one of her interests was with the long-term goals (bylaws) for investigation and report on MCG's development of asynchronous and synchronous distance-education programs.
The broad spectrum of computer knowledge amongst students was discussed. Clare Billman stated that incoming students are provided a course on WebCT use. The lack of general knowledge of computers or computer ownership by students was disturbing. Consideration of requiring incoming students to purchase computers was discussed. Rod Mackert stated that in his experience with the former ACAB, this requirement would be difficult to implement and it might be better to create an undeniable need for computer acquisition by students.
Van Haywood stated a difficulty with the transformation of traditional teaching with 35 mm slides to a digital format is the lack of support. It is difficult and inefficient for faculty to utilize their time to generate digital images from slides and then infuse them into web pages or lectures.
Mike Miller noted that an electronic student pictorial is nearing completion for distribution.
The next meeting of ACAB will be held at 1:00 pm on May 28, 2001 in room AB-211 in the Library.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Roman Cibirka
Secretary, Academic and Research Computing Advisory Board.