Minutes

Columbia College

October 23, 2008

Manzanita Conference Room

Attending: Brian De Moss, Connie Mical, Melissa Colon, Nate Rein, Brian Greene, Don Smith, Craig Johnston, Kelley Marshall, Mike Torok

1. Standing Report, Instructional Technology Center (ITC) – Melissa Colon

Melissa is noticing students from different classes participating in the ITC. When stabilization finally does occur in the ITC, it will be a positive factor to formalize scheduled hours. The SARS grid is a scheduling program for appointments, etc., and it may prove to be a useful tool for the ITC in the future. At some point should the ITC begin providing student services, it may be possible for the College to receive additional funding.

2. Standing Report, Distance Education – Melissa Colon

Melissa has sent out information to F/T faculty asking if they are interested in developing online courses, etc. She plans to send similar information to P/T faculty in the near future. Online developer training will begin in November, 2008. Honorariums and documentation will be prepared for faculty receiving stipends. To date, seven faculty have applied to participate in the cohorts. These applications will be reviewed with final approval being granted in the near future.

3. Web Focus Committee – Brian De Moss

Gail Segerstrom is in the process of designing some new website template pages in image format. She has been asked to model pages using Humboldt College, Fresno City College and Ventura College as examples. The Web Focus Group will reconvene soon for further discussion regarding menu headings and links. Brian D. has asked for suggestions from the web group. These also will be discussed at the next Web Focus Committee.

4. Title III – Identify two classrooms for priority installation of classroom technology equipment – Brian De Moss

Part of the Title III requirements is to initially identify two classrooms during the first year of the grant which would be upgraded with various pieces of equipment. A process will be developed to accomplish this. At the end of the Title III grant twenty-five classrooms will have upgraded status.

Connie presented a report from Title III. There was a kickoff meeting with major stakeholders on October 14, 2008. The purpose was to review the grant, the organization of the grant, major objective and two activities of the grant, the budget and personnel. Various procedures and systems were discussed. Mike Gaudette, of Lighthouse Consulting, will be on campus Friday, October 17, 2008, to provide a day of consultation, offer technical service and answer our questions. The grant runs on a federal fiscal year, October 1 through September 30. The grant’s goals and objectives are also set up in this manner. Connie Mical has been identified as Title III Project Director. Other key positions were discussed. Stipends will be available for the faculty participating in the cohorts and for those involved in developing online courses in priority areas.

ACTION NEEDED: Add to future agenda: Standing Report, Title III - Connie Mical

Kelley Marshall asked about power back-ups for the new equipment. Brian D. reported Technology Services is currently researching and addressing this issue. For instance, UPS batteries (each battery requires a 30AMP circuit) have been received for the network. Buildings are being identified for prioritized installation and Facilities is installing the new circuits as time permits. Don Smith inquired about file back up. Brian D. reported that a file server has been received for back up storage and will be installed after Christmas break.

5. Turnitin Powerlink – Melissa Colon

All faculty on campus can now access Turnitin, an anti-plagiarism tool. Faculty can upload student papers to determine if plagiarism exists. The College now has the opportunity to integrate Turnitin within the Blackboard shell using the Turnitin Powerlink module for Blackboard. MJC is purchasing Turnitin Powerlink regardless of whether or not Columbia participates. Melissa is hopeful this tool will encourage faculty to use Blackboard. Connie Mical suggests the College will most likely be interested in purchasing this valuable tool at a later date with specific funding to be determined.

6. Student Email Accounts – Brian Greene

Brian Greene, speaking in the interest of the Columbia College Library, has concerns related to student email accounts. He strongly hopes the option remains available to send information to students using two email accounts, personal and district student email. His main concern is students will need to make the definite switch (and he feels they may not do so) to use only the student email address after March in order to access any information sent to them. Brian De Moss discussed briefly the Datatel Colleague Communications Management system. Brian D. believes this would be a viable option for use by the Library allowing it to send information to two different email accounts. However, student registration and payments via ConnectColumbia will be available only through student email. Other departments on campus are currently using the Communications module. Brian D. plans to bring training to campus in the future. While it is the goal of the District to use only student email accounts after March, Brian De Moss assures Brian G. two email addresses will be available for the foreseeable future. Connie Mical explained to the committee the College is working toward an eventual transition to using only student email accounts. This is a federal requirement and will take course over a year’s time. It is a way for the College to ensure confidential information is being disseminated to the proper student. A campus campaign publicizing student email is planned for Spring 2009.

ACTION NEEDED: Brian De Moss will provide more information to the Library regarding the Communications Management module and bring training to the Columbia campus in the near future.

7. Next Meeting Date – Thursday, November 6, 2008, 1:00-2:00 pm, Manzanita Conference Room.