Technology Committee

Minutes

Columbia College

January 22, 2009 – Tamarack Hall Staff Room

 

Attending:  Gary Mendenhall, Brian Greene, Brian DeMoss, Melissa Colon, Marnie Shively, Wendy Link, Susan

                    Vegter-Slape.  Late Arrivals: Nate Rien, Don Smith, Ida Ponder, Robert Gritz

 

  1.  Standing Reports:

a.       Web Focus Group Update – Brian DeMoss

Brian Hill, YCCD webmaster, will be sending the new Columbia College website templates to Brian D. this afternoon.  Brian D. will review next week and present them to the College Council, Web Focus Group and the Technology Committee.  Brian H. is also devising new ways for faculty and staff to obtain websites through either an HTML site, SharePoint site, OmniUpdate site or a WordPress blog.

ACTION:  Brian DeMoss to present new college website templates to College Council, Web Focus Group and the Technology Committee when received.

 

b.       Distance Education Update – Melissa Colon

Folks from Cal State University East Bay will be visiting Columbia College February 2.  CSUEB and CC will consider how our distance education courses can be coordinated by creating a bridge between the two colleges so our local students can stay in the area and obtain their degree fully online.  Melissa stressed the importance that administrators, deans, Distance Ed. committee members and other identified staff be present.

 

c.        Title III – Brian DeMoss

The Online Services Developer position closes January 23.  The secretarial position which supports the Director of Development and the Instructional Activity Director has been filled and was approved at the last Board meeting.  Brian D. is in the process of reviewing equipment for two technology supported classrooms.  Cohorts begin next week.  There are approximately 23 new courses scheduled for the fall 2009 and spring 2010. 

 

d.       IT Update – Brian DeMoss

We are in the process of updating the network which will result in a huge increase in network speed.  It is hoped this project will be completed by the beginning of summer.

 

Wireless rollout is now available wherever there are access points across campus.  A generic login is being used and all students have the same login.  The user name is STUDENT and the password is 4WIFI.  Unique student logins are being considered for lab use.

 

  1.  Out-of-Office Notifications – Brian Greene

Brian Greene expressed his concern about the fact our out-of-office notifications are not sent off campus, most importantly not to student campus emails.  Brian D. explained that when this feature was turned on spam increased by more than 50% causing huge problems within our network.  The official status at this time is out-of-office notifications are not sent off campus. 

 

  1.  SmartBoards – Melissa Colon

Melissa mentioned faculty are becoming increasingly more aware of SmartBoard technology and are requesting they be placed in their classrooms.  There is currently a SmartBoard in the MCR and future SmartBoard purchases will be made using Title III funds.  There was extended discussion as to how a determination would be made regarding classroom placement and which committee (Distance Ed. or Technology) would ultimately be responsible for determining classroom placement.  Questions were raised about the flexibility of Title III pertaining to the grant equipment purchase list.  Also mentioned was the importance of having a future vision towards new types of technology as it becomes available and the possible future need to reconsider Title III equipment purchases. Gary advised that discussion be facilitated to arrive at a common place “that we all still need to get to” that will meet our needs regarding classroom equipment.  He suggested Melissa discuss this further with the Distance Ed. Committee. Brian D. said he would discuss the matter with Dennis Gervin, Vice President of Student Learning and the college administrator responsible for distance education.  Gary asked for information to be brought back to the next Technology Committee meeting.

ACTION: Melissa Colon and Dennis Gervin to further discuss technology placement in classrooms with the Distance Ed. Committee and Dennis Gervin.

 

  1.  Next Meeting Date:  Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1:00-2:00 pm, Tamarack Staff Room