Minutes
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Manzanita Conference Room
Attending: Gary Mendenhall (Chair), Wendy Link, Susan
Vegter-Slape, Ryan Brady, Don Smith, Ida Ponder, Cass Larkin, Marty Gang, Brian
Greene, Kelley Marshall, Robert Gritz, Doris Goldson (Recorder)
1. Instructional Technology (ITC) Report, Ongoing
– Melissa Colon
§
Melissa
reports ITC will be ordering replacement monitors
§
Working
on feasibility of providing additional electrical
outlets in the room
§
Marty Gang recently reviewed the ITC facility with Melissa
2. Arts and Science Representative
Gary Mendenhall reports Tim Elizondo
has volunteered to become a member of the Technology Committee representing the
Arts and Sciences Division.
3. Web Focus Group Report, Ongoing –
Marty Gang - Tabled to next meeting
4. Computer Plan – Tabled to next meeting
5. Technology Purchase Recommendations,
FY06-07
Columbia College has recently received Block Grant
money from the District. The Technology Committee needs to determine top needs
for technology purchases for 2006-07, which means areas
will need to begin considering their technology requests. An example of a priority need would be for
the Technology Committee to determine which computer lab is in line for an
upgrade. The Committee will request a
recommendation from Marty related to the Computer Plan, prioritizing some of those
future purchases.
There was
discussion about departments (using various funds) purchasing media and technology-related
equipment. Many of these purchases are
not receiving review by the Tech Team (Marty Gang,
Fred Grolle, Ryan Brady, Wendy Link). All
technology software, hardware and other equipment purchases must be reviewed (but
not approved) by the Tech Team, either formally or informally, before
actual purchases take place. While this
is an important procedure, some departments do not comply. It was discussed that possibly a more formal
procedure be put into place campus-wide as this involves each department/area
on campus. Gary will determine if Marty has been given
the opportunity to review any of these requests or requisitions. Gary
stated he will forward the VATEA list of technology-related purchases to
Technology and Media Services for review. Additionally, Wendy Link has a concern that
equipment purchased using block grant monies/categorical
funds is not being made available for campus-wide use.
Note: For additional purchase recommendations, also
refer to Agenda Items #6 and #8
NEEDED ACTION: Marty Gang is
requested to bring a recommendation to the next Technology Committee meeting prioritizing future computer purchases.
NEEDED ACTION: Gary will discuss
Technology and Media Services review of campus-wide technology-related
purchases with Marty.
NEEDED ACTION: Gary will forward the
VATEA list of technology-related purchases to Technology and Media Services
(Tech Team) for review.
6. Wireless Access – Expanding wireless
access in classrooms and other areas on campus
The difference between “wireless access” and “mobile labs” was
discussed. It was noted wireless access
is currently available for use in the Tamarack, Fir and Manzanita Buildings. Because more faculty members are using
computers in classes and computers are being maximized during instructional
hours, further discussion ensued regarding mobile labs. (Battery
powered laptops, a cart and connections constitute a mobile lab. There are approximately 20+ laptops housed on
a cart. The cart contains network,
internet and printer access and is powered electrically.) Mobile labs provide computers in regular
(non-computer lab) classrooms and would be available for student use. Because of the very large size of a mobile
lab cart, these will not be able to move from building to building. Since the cost of a mobile lab is substantial,
it was determined a survey would be developed to best determine faculty
needs. The mobile lab may be considered
a priority for purchase using FY 06-07 block grant monies. Gary requested
Marty, Ryan and Wendy to articulate a 2-4 question survey in lay terms and
submit to Gary
for further distribution to faculty.
NEEDED ACTION: Marty, Ryan and Wendy to develop a survey
which will be used to determine faculty needs.
7. Videoconferencing
Issues Update – Tabled to next meeting
Note: Wendy Link was happy
to report that Kathy Sullivan’s videoconferenced class (Child Development 23)
between Calaveras Center and the Tribal
Education Center,
located at the Tuolumne Rancheria, operated
smoothly.
8. Assistive Technology
Server
Kelley Marshall reports that DSPS needs to purchase a server. The server will allow the department to install
specific programs while links would be placed on various computers to gain
access. The server cost is approximately
$4,500. Originally the server was to be
purchased using DSPS funds. However,
this funding has been transferred to another account in order to assist a disabled
student. It is imperative this server be
implemented. A first priority for DSPS
is that all Columbia campuses be made ADA compliant. This goal can be achieved by the purchase of
this server. Gary asked Kelley and Marty to develop a
proposal which meets the needs of DSPS and obtain Mario Cordova’s
approval. The proposal will then be
submitted to the Technology Committee who will consider the request when
determining Block Grant purchase priorities.
NEEDED ACTION: Kelley Marshall and Marty Gang to develop a proposal,
which will require Mario Cordova’s approval, to meet this specific need of
DSPS. Once Mario approves, proposal is to be
submitted to the Technology Committee for further consideration.
9. Electronic
signatures/Datatel
Susan Vegter-Slape and Robert Gritz discussed the importance of Columbia College being able to accept electronic
signatures. Electronic signatures are
needed for students registering online, money transactions and student
records. Guidelines need to be
adopted. Other schools are using
electronic signatures and sending information to Columbia.
The question was asked, “What guidelines do we need to have in place in
order to accept electronic signatures from other sources?” It was determined this was an area requiring
further discussion at a YCCD Technology meeting and which required
District-wide action.
In summarization Don Smith suggested, and the Technology Committee
concurred, that we offer the following statement of support:
The Columbia College
Technology Committee supports any procedure that will
(1)
Assist students to streamline the registration process
(2) Make electronic signatures more secure.
NEEDED
ACTION: Gary
will request electronic signatures be placed on the next YCCD Technology Agenda.
10. Other
A. Wendy Link - Wendy Link thanked Marty for
suggesting she attend the Web Accessibility Conference in Long Beach September 27-30, 2006. She also thanked Mario
Cordova/DSPS and Gary Mendenhall/TCO
for agreeing to fund the conference. While Wendy found it to be an interesting and
valuable experience, it was clear to her that much of our website is not
accessible and a total redesign will be necessary in the very near future. There is lots of work to be done.
B. The Web Focus Group
will be meeting in the near future – date and time to be announced.
11. Future agenda items
ITC Report - Ongoing
Web Focus Group
Report – Ongoing
Computer Plan –
Marty Gang to bring update for review/discussion
Video Conferencing
Issues Update
Electronic
Signatures/Datatel
Technology Plan
Revision
Next
Meeting
Marty
Gang, Acting Chair
Thursday,
October 19, 2006
1:00 –
2:00 pm
Location
to be announced