Information Resources Council News

Minutes provided by Sue Harrison, Recording Secretary

IRC 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.

February 21, 1995

Strategic Plan

Richard Harris distributed the final draft of the State Strategic Plan, a copy of which had been given to President Hurley, and which is on file in ISB 235.

GroupWise Report

Bill Buntain reported on the status of GroupWise E-Mail implementation. He explained that the E-Mail Commission stated in its final report that a centrally administered mail system was desired. Therefore, Bill and his group met with the vendor, Novell, to determine exactly what that would mean, and to get their input as to how a campus mail system should be architected and managed. Novell s recommendation for several scenarios presented to them was to establish a central mail domain for campus, which would be centrally managed. Distributed areas would be responsible for user management, and set-up of users in their respective areas.

Bill explained that there is a student mail system provided through ACS; and colleges will still be able to establish student e-mail in their own domains. At the present, Bill is waiting for responses from Novell to some questions he presented to them regarding design issues. A pilot plan for implementation has been sketched out with the Computing Center being brought up first as a test, then bringing in College of Education, School of Community Service, Music, with College of Business, Arts & Sciences and Adminstration Building being brought on-line by May 1.

Some administrative issues are guidelines for retention of E-mail, and training. Since all of the courses needed are not presently being offered, Bill is talking with Novell about the possibility of sending our E-Mail Specialist to Utah to work with their people.

Discussion followed on the subject of E-mail retention, which indicated the complexity and sensitive nature of this subject. Don Grose said he would discuss the issue with the University Archivist. There was also some discussion regarding the need for a clear management structure for the E-mail system on campus, including the internet system, and for the communication of that structure to all LAN Managers. It was also pointed out that when changes are made to the E-mail system, that also needs to be communicated to LAN Managers. Richard Harris stated that he would be responsible for making sure that happens.

Communications Program Group

Bill Buntain reported for the Communications Program Group that Novell has come out with a new licensing arrangement that will significantly change the way UNT handles their products. The new arrangement will allow UNT to obtain not only WordPerfect products, but also Novell Netware products without having to track the number of copies. In addition, faculty, staff, AND students can take a copy home as well as have a copy on a computer at their office on campus. The cost of the new license will be $120,000 with an additional $40,000 for student licenses. Bill explained that he will be negotiating with Novell to try and apply what UNT has already paid into the current program.

Dialup Services

Bill distributed a Proposal for Funding Expansion of UNT Dialup Services. He explained that he had put basic factors in this document for making a decision about funding the proposal but he did not believe a decision could be made at the level of the program group. He encouraged everyone to read through the proposal, looking at all of the possible solutions. Discussion followed during which it was agreed that there is a great demand for more dialup service, that a fee increase will not be looked upon favorably by the administration, and that a decision needs to be made soon.

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