Technology Committee

 

Columbia College

November 20, 2008

Manzanita Conference Room

 

Attending:  Gary Mendenhall, Connie Mical, Brian De Moss, Melissa Colon; Rick Rivera; Don Smith; Marnie Shively; Kelley Marshall

 

  1. Standing Reports

a.        Web Focus Group - Brian De Moss

The Web Focus Group will critique three website renditions (designed by Gail Segerstrom) as possibilities for the new Columbia College web design.  These will be previewed at the next meeting which Brian D. plans to schedule in the near future.

               

ACTION NEEDED:  Brian De Moss to schedule a Web Focus Group meeting in near future.

 

                b. Distance Education Update – Melissa Colon

The Distance Education Committee will meet November 21, 2008.  The main topic of discussion will be to ensure schedule language is consistent throughout for online and hybrid courses.  Training the cohort and meeting with online developers will begin soon.  Brian D. will request Datatel access for Melissa.  As Melissa is serving in a new administrative role, she will be reviewing distance education class descriptions, schedule information and budget information as appropriate.  The focus of Title III will be the online and hybrid courses.  Video broadcasting still resides within and supported by Technology—not Title III.  There is, however, a small amount of Title III funding supporting some facets of video broadcasting.

 

ACTION NEEDED:  Brian De Moss will request Datatel access for Melissa. 

 

b.        Title III – Connie Mical, Brian De Moss

Information was presented on instructional activities involving the development of distance education.  There are now 12 faculty in the cohort and 10 online developers.  The direct budget has been completed.  Once the budget is in place, purchasing will begin.  The job description for the Online Services Developer is going through final review steps.  The grant is progressing as planned.

 

c.         I.T.  (YCCD) Update – Brian De Moss

·         Brian D. reported most discussion centered around MJC promoting student email on their campus.  Publicizing student email on the Columbia campus will begin soon.  Location of signage will be determined. 

·         Wireless internet for students is now available on Columbia and Modesto campuses.  (Guest log in:  4WIFI).

·         There is a need to secure other portions of network such as distribution lists, etc. Connie wants to ensure spamming does not occur within student email.  Gary suggested she share this concern with the Administrative Council.

 

Gary suggested a new section be created in the Technology Plan which would include a Student Email Acceptable Use Policy for both students and staff and faculty.  Don Smith suggested including information in the Student Handbook as well regarding student email.

 

ACTION NEEDED:  Gary to include a Student Email Acceptable Use Policy in the next revised Technology Plan and will provide information to appropriate staff for inclusion in the Student Handbook.  

 

  1.  Technology Purchase Plan Process – Gary Mendenhall

Key areas the Technology Committee typically addresses are Media Services, Computer Replacement Plan and Instructional Technology Center.  Administrative technology needs, typically not addressed, need to be reviewed and a process as to how these needs could be accomplished should be discussed.  Also, Gary has asked Brian D. to formulate a revised spending plan for technology using last year’s plan as a guide.  Connie Mical concurred with the importance of having a spending plan, but said actual purchases would likely not be determined until much later in the fiscal year because of the current budget status.  Gary summarized this agenda item saying the Technology Committee will be looking at a plan similar to what was presented last year.  Timeline is not urgent.  Brian D. will revise the spending plan to include non-instructional office needs (and highlight these items).  Funds typically are not available for administrative technology within the limitations of block grant and lottery funds)

 

The possibility of a trickle down plan for laptops was briefly discussed.

 

                ACTION NEEDED:  Brian De Moss to formulate an 08/09FY Spending Plan for technology.

 

 

  1. Next meeting date (Frequency) – Gary Mendenhall

The Technology Committee will continue to meet every other week.  Should no agenda items be submitted, the meeting may be cancelled as determined by Gary.  If cancellation is to occur, all Technology Committee members will be notified by email at any time and Standing Reports may or may not be sent via email.

 

 

                             Next Meeting Date:  Thursday, December 4, 2008