Information
Resources Council News Information
Resources Council NewsIRC Regular Voting Members: Ray von Dran, Library and
Information Sciences (Chair); Cengiz Capan, College of Business;
Carolyn Cunningham, Student Affairs; Paul Dworak, College of Music;
Brian Forsman, UNTHSC Information Resources Council; Chuck Fuller,
Fiscal Affairs; Larry Gleeson, School of Visual Arts; Don Grose,
Libraries; David Hartman, School of Community Services and School of
Merchandising and Hospitality Management; Sam Magill, UNTHSC Director
of Information Technology Services; Steve Miller, Administrative
Affairs; Tom Newell, Telecommunications (Ex-officio); Don Palermo,
Academic Administration; Jean Schaake, College of Arts and Sciences;
Paul Schlieve, College of Education; Ronald Sutcliffe, Graduate
Student Council; John Todd, Faculty Senate; Virginia Wheeless, Associate
Vice President and Director, University Planning and Institutional
Research; Steve Williams, Undergraduate Student Association. IRC
Ex-officio Nonvoting Members: Bill Buntain, Computing Center; Jim Curry,
Microcomputer Maintenance Shop; Paul Gandel, Computing Center; Richard
Harris, Computing Center; Coy Hoggard, Computing Center.
The Chair announced that his last
meeting would be in June, since he has accepted a position as Dean of
the School of Information Studies at Syracuse
University.
Dennis Mueller presented a report from the Research Program Group
outlining how research needs at UNT might be met. The two proposals
contained in the report are:
Discussion followed during which it was pointed out that most LAN
Managers are familiar with UNIX systems, more so than with mainframe
technology, for the purpose of helping users. It was mentioned that the
proposal assumes that the
College of Business would continue to use the mainframe for its
curricular needs. Concern was expressed that the proposal does not
take into consideration the needs of College of Education faculty researchers who do most of their
work on PCs. Mueller explained that the solution being presented does
not presume to try and meet everyone s needs by upgrading the UNIX
system; that is why the second proposal was included. He feels that
through the establishment of a fund for Innovative Projects, other non-
UNIX research needs could be met.
Kathy Swigger moved
that IRC rules of practice, which provide that action be taken on an
item one month after it is presented, be waived. Virginia Wheeless
seconded the motion. There was some concern expressed about voting on
the proposal without having time to think about it and discuss it with
others. On the other hand, there was concern about delaying a vote
since that would mean a delay in HEAF allocation for any new purchase
being recommended. A vote on the motion to waive the IRC rule was taken
with 11 voting for and 3 against.
On behalf of the
Research Program Group, Dennis Mueller presented Proposal 1 of the
report to the IRC for a vote, the motion being to enhance UNIX
capability to meet centralized (host) academic computing needs with a
$750,000 allocation. The proposal was approved unanimously.
Discussion followed on the second proposal regarding the
establishment of an Innovative Projects fund. It was suggested that
the Program Group also address the issue of providing support for
equipment and software purchased under research grants. Don Grose
suggested a friendly amendment to Proposal 2 adding a dollar amount of
$500,000. Dennis explained that Proposal 2 is intended to provide
additional money in the Academic Computing budget; it does not
preclude spending money on other projects already in existence on the
campus. He further explained that the idea is to provide funds and some
structure to solicit proposals from faculty who wish to apply for some
of those funds.
Paul Dixon stated that he would like to
see funds like this made available to faculty, but there needs to be
further clarification of how this allocation would fit into the Provost
s overall allocation of HEAF funds. He also suggested that this
proposal needs the endorsement of other committees such as Faculty
Senate.
A motion was passed to table Proposal 2 until
the June 20th meeting.
Since there was a question regarding
the representation on the Council by members of the UPC who also
represent a College, the Chair explained that the UPC had selected
people to represent them on the Council, and so as not to enlarge the
membership of the Council they chose people who were already on the IRC.
Paul Dixon stated that he would like further clarification of this
point from the UPC.
Dr. von Dran announced that the
Alliance for Higher Education was again trying to sell its services to
UNT. He charged the Instruction Program Group to prepare a memo to
convince the Steering Committee and the President not to buy into
their offer.
Richard Harris distributed a spreadsheet
that outlined three views of the Computing Center s HEAF budget. He explained that this is an
attempt to put the first dollar figures with the strategies as proposed.
He pointed out that the figures given in the first view are probably
more money than can be allocated, but it shows what would be needed if
everything was done. The second view shows each item funded in order of
priority. The third view is funding by project. No action is needed on
this at the present time; it was presented as an information item, and
members are requested to provide input to Richard. Opportunity for
further discussion will be given in the June meeting.
Richard
also announced that it has been agreed to by the President to put the
mainframe upgrade on the Board of Regents agenda.
If you have problems or questions about this server, please contact us as soon as possible. You can send mail to the following address:
WWW@unt.edu