Minutes

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Sequoia 7

Attending: Marty Gang (Co-chair), Melissa Colon (Co-chair), Wendy Link, Robert Gritz, Cass Larkin, Ida Ponder, Susan Vegter-Slape, Tim Elizondo, Kelley Marshall, Don Smith, Doris Goldson (Recorder)

1. ITC Report – Melissa Colon

Melissa reports the replacement monitors for ITC have been ordered. The topic for this Friday, October 20, session will be MS Excel. Melissa asked Kelley to present an orientation on the concept and application of accessibility at a future ITC session.

2. Web Focus Group Report – Marty Gang

Marty announced the Web Focus Group met on Tuesday, October 17. He reviewed with the committee what the group is tasked to do, the structure, and what it is not tasked to do. This information will need to be addressed to the faculty. Marty will discuss how to do this with Gary Mendenhall and others as needed. There will be forthcoming changes with Front Page going away and the accessibility concerns that are currently confronting us. Basically the college needs to look at our page, confront the issue of having no webmaster and move forward with accessibility issues. We need to begin addressing this project using a comprehensive approach.

3. Computer Plan – Marty Gang

Fred Grolle has previously developed a computer plan. However, recently the plan is starting to alter. A faculty member has some concerns with Sequoia 8 and these will need to be addressed. The room cannot function without a change. Calaveras Center also needs new machines. Fred has suggested that Technology find a way to replace the Tier 2 labs and then filter those machines out to other areas. It was also suggested we purchase additional RAM and new video cards for the problem machines. Marty and Fred will work closely with the Technology Committee in developing a resolution to this problem.

4. Video Conferencing Issues Update – Marty Gang

IP-VCR – This is equipment which will be used to record video conferences, much like a TIVO records television programs. Currently, the primary focus is recording for the Nursing program, and it will be web accessible. This equipment is installed and operated by YCCD and integrates well with the District equipment. Childhood Development may take advantage of this equipment next year. The equipment will allow faculty to record their class or may allow a student with a web cam to join a class from home. Any area with videoconferencing equipment (Manzanita Conference Room, Fir 2, Calaveras Center and Tribal Education Center) will be accessible to this system.

5. Electronic Signatures/Datatel

As discussed at the last Technology Committee meeting, Gary is taking this to the next YCCD Technology Meeting. Robert reviewed the importance of electronic signatures and why they are needed: (1) Students need to be set up with an electronic signature, (2) Other institutions are using electronic signatures and Columbia needs to be able to accept these, and (3) Electronic signatures are needed in order to accept payment on the web.

6. Other

Student emails – Marty stated the district is identifying funding and that some questions still exist. There is a possible misunderstanding over the cost of the program, ongoing maintenance and the actual total cost (not just salary but also total benefits) for the new position managing student emails.

Document imaging – The current program, ATI Filer, is going away and will be replaced with Matrix. Heavy users of document imaging are Financial Aid, Admissions & Records and Counseling. Testing of the new system will occur next week and the plan is to have software up and running shortly.

Next Meeting - Thursday, November 2, 2006 - 1:00-2:00 pm - Manzanita Conference Room