Technology Committee

Meeting Minutes

Columbia College

September 27, 2007 – Tamarack Hall Staff Room

 

 

Attending:  Gary Mendenhall; Josh Bigelow; Melissa Colon; Brian Greene; Kelley (KC) Marshall; Marty Gang; Ida Ponder; Wendy Link; Susan Vegter-Slape; Cass Larkin

 

Guest:  Connie Mical

 

1.  Committee Membership/Arts and Sciences – Gary Mendenhall

                Josh Bigelow, Arts and Sciences, will be added as a member of the Technology Committee effective September 27, 2007.

 

2.  Ongoing Report – ITC (Instructional Technology Center) Report – Melissa Colon

                No report.

 

3.  Ongoing Report – IT (Informational Technology) Plan – Marty Gang

                Upcoming Consultant Visit – October 15, 2007.          

                Marty reports Chris Martin, Columbia College’s IT consultant, will be on campus October 15, 2007.  Marty will arrange morning campus meetings between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm with the consultant and key individuals or groups of individuals.  Marty and the consultant will travel to district in the afternoon to meet with IT staff members.  The IT consultant is rewriting and restructuring the existing Technology Plan developing a more prescriptive and directive plan on which the Title III grant can be based.  Once the consultant’s version is finalized, the new IT Plan will be brought back to the Technology Committee for final drafting and revision. The existing Technology Plan will be replaced with the newly developed IT Plan.

                NEEDED ACTION: Marty will arrange meetings between staff and IT consultant in preparation for October 15 visit. 

 

4.  Ongoing Report - YCCD Technology Update – Marty Gang

  • The R18 (Datatel, Release 18) update conversion schedule is being amended.  Actual timelines for completing the conversion have not yet been determined.
  • The phone switch is being converted to a PRI (private rate interchange) switch which will allow the campus to have extended caller ID and immediate 911 identification.  An advantage of the new circuit is it will allow the College to add new pay phones on campus at the Oak Pavilion and Tamarack Hall locations.
  • District networking has installed UPS switches.  This means should campus power drop temporarily or for long periods of time the buildings will retain connectivity.  Once the power returns, staff will automatically be able to connect back out.  In the past Technology Services needed to physically reset the switches.
  • Student email is going to be a reality and will be trialed in depth this spring.  It is likely to be brought online full-time for summer students.  Marty suggests if you’re doing online work or other work where you think having student email would be beneficial and you want to be part of the group trials, let him know.  He will put you in contact with appropriate district staff.
  • WebCT – IT has met with Presidium, a company that provides 24/7/365 support.  The company provides faculty and student assistance with how-to, password resets and Level1maintenance.   
  • Wireless – District is set to have wireless available in all academic buildings on campus and some common areas where students gather.  IT states this will be provided by the end of the academic year.  District is also looking at options that will better provide wireless to all district campuses.

               

5.  Distance Education Committee – Melissa Colon

                The Committee has been reviewing the Distance Education Plan as developed by Pat James, Columbia College’s distance education consultant.  Once all comments have been received, the plan will be returned to Marty.  Also discussed at the meeting was the WebCT custom log in page (to include help desk, student resources and services, etc.), OmniUpdate and how that might be used in the future and formalizing the DE Committee and expanding its membership.  Melissa stressed the need for a DE coordinator which would be filled by a non-teaching faculty member. The Title III grant may support this position.

 

 

 

 

6. Computer Replacement Plan – Marty Gang

                Marty suggested adding peripherals (printers, scanners) to the Computer Replacement Plan.  Marty will work with Fred and staff to develop needed information and present it at the October 11 Technology Committee meeting.  Also, the Computer/Peripheral Replacement Plan will include recent peripheral purchases.  Having a prioritized established list approved by the Technology Committee will be useful as funds become available.

                NEEDED ACTION:  Marty and Fred to present the Computer/Peripheral Replacement Plan at October 11 Technology                                                                  Committee meeting.    

 

 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Ongoing Reports:  ITC (Instructional Technology Center) Report – Melissa Colon

                                     IT (Informational Technology) Plan – Marty Gang

                                     YCCD Technology Update – Marty Gang

                                  DE (Distance Education) Committee Report – Melissa Colon

2. Computer/Peripherals Replacement Plan

3. Software Plan Review

 

 

NEXT MEETING DATE:  October 11, 2007, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Tamarack Hall Staff Room