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Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes for May 27, 2004

A meeting of the University Information Technology Advisory Committee was called to order at 3:07 p.m. on May 27, 2004, in the 4th floor conference room of Cabell Library. Dr. James Shultz, co-chair, presided. Members present were Dr. Dianne Simons, Ms. Fran Smith, Dr. Robert Mattauch, Mr. Rahul Khanna, Dr. Phyllis Self, Mr. John Ulmschneider, and Mr. Mark Willis. Dr. Lynn Nelson, Dr. Henry Rozycki, Ms. Veronica Shuford, Mr. Charles Anderson, and Mr. Carl Gattuso were absent. Mr. Bud Deihl, from Instructional Design Center, was also present.

I. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 22, 2004 MEETING

Minutes were approved as prepared

II. IT STRATEGIC PLANNING (continued)

Several areas have already been reviewed and we are now down to the last few. At this point, we are just laying it out.

Academic IT
Dr. Self distributed a copy of the Academic Technology Strategic Plan. It has been reviewed by ATFAC (Academic Technology Faculty Advisory Council).

The committee’s task is to review this document before it is passed on to the vice presidents, etc.

The committee discussed the document and determined that some of the themes of the Academic Plan could be used in the overall Strategic Plan. A prime example is Goal 1, under the section entitled Instruction, which states Support a “Student Centered University” through the use of technology. Dr. Self and Mr. Willis will re-look at the student section of the IT Plan with a focus on the “Student Centered University.”

Research IT
The need is growing for visualization opportunities. We would like to become part of the grant review process.

Goal 1 under Web Services (Increase Integration of Web-based Services into the University’s Instructional, Research, Public Service, Health Care and Administrative Activities) is a major goal. The internet is an infinite knowledge base, and should be exploited to create and use information.

The internet is an infinite knowledge base, but we need to know how to access it. The Web is where it’s at and it needs to be interesting and draw the student in. Students, information advisors and technical contacts should all be consulted when developing a website. We need to provide a list of the “latest and greatest search engines” as well as tools and services to help faculty and staff find better ways to locate things on the internet. Vivisimo was mentioned as a great search engine.

Security environment at VCU – the goals listed under the Security section of AT’s Strategic Plan draft can be integrated with the overall IT plan. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

Dr. Self was praised for the time and work she and her area had put into the document.

III. VCU FILES DEMO

Bud Deihl, from VCU Instructional Design and Development Center, presented a demo on VCUfiles (Xythos). A handout entitled “Introduction to VCUfiles (Xythos)” was distributed.

Mr. Deihl explained how VCUfiles works, how to find it on the web, how to log into it, and the limitation of file storage space, etc. He stated that the students had requested the web site so they could conveniently logon at home and then continue their work anywhere they went.

“VCUfiles” is available now, but you have to have an account set up. Blackboard has come up with a similar product. VCU Files will probably be rolled into blackboard.

IV. SUMMER SCHEDULE

We need at least one more meeting before we can pull together a draft plan before August. We should hold the June 24th meeting and then decide about the July meeting.

V. OTHER BUSINESS

E-mail and project issues
We need to deal with the recommendations that were made at the April 22 meeting. This should be on the next agenda.

Dr. Self’s wireless security proposal
A proposal will go to the provost requesting that $5,000 of the student technology fee be used to support the purchase of the Wireless VPN Client for students using MACs.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm.