IRC News Minutes provided by Sue Ellen Richey, Recording Secretary

IRC Regular Voting Members: Ginny Anderson, Fiscal Affairs; Walter Bowen, Academic Administration; Bill Buntain, Communications Program Group; Carolyn Cunningham, Student Affairs; Paul Dworak, College of Music; Steve Grant, UNT Health Science Center; Don Grose, Libraries; Jenny Jopling, Instruction Program Group; Joneel Harris, Administrative Program Group; Mike Kozak, Faculty Senate; Allen Livingston, Student Association; Steve Miller, Human Resources; Dennis Mueller, Research Program Group; Ramu Muthiah, School of Community Services; Robert Nimocks, Director, Information Technology,UNTHSC; Patrick Pluscht, Distributed Learning Team; Jim Poirot, College of Education; Don Schol, School of Visual Arts; Kathleen Swigger, College of Arts and Sciences; Neal Tate, University Planning Council; Philip Turner, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for Distance Education and Dean of the School of Library and Information Resources (Chair, IRC); Virginia Wheeless, Chancellor; John Windsor, College of Business. IRC Ex-officio Nonvoting Members: Jim Curry, Microcomputer Maintenance Shop; Richard Harris, Computing Center; Coy Hoggard, Computing Center; Maurice Leatherbury, Computing Center; Sue Ellen Richey, Computing Center (Recording Secretary); Rondel Stevens, Telecommunications.

June 16, 1998

Richard Harris chaired the meeting in Phil Turner’s absence.

Distributed Computing Support Management Team

Maurice Leatherbury reported that the Distributed Computing Support Management Team has come to a tentative conclusion that the best virus-scanning software to buy is the McAfee software. The committee has considered a free software that runs under ManageWise, but it does not cover the Macintosh. The McAfee product will cost around $41,000. The Computing Center has agreed to pay for the Macafee site license for two years.

Strategic Planning Committee

Richard reported that the Strategic Planning Committee met and reviewed the draft of the Strategic Plan; it was revised and submitted to the D.I.R. in Austin. Maurice commented that he regretted that there had not been time to get as much input as he had hoped. He stated that he has posted the finished document on the Web and offered a printed copy to anyone who wanted one. Richard pointed out that this plan can be revised at any time and added that the Biennial Operating Plan is the one that attaches funding to the various action items and both plans can be updated and changed at any time. Richard commended Maurice on a job well done.

Year 2000 Problem

Coy Hoggard reported that in addition to the already large problem of the Year 2000 conversion, mandatory state reporting will take a lot of time and energy. To deal with the issue on a university-wide level, a working committee was formed which is representative of all areas of the university. The most recent D.I.R. requirement is that we report to them any applications systems or major technology infrastructure items that we do not plan to have remediated by 12/31/98. D.I.R. will report to agency heads what cannot be completed by 12/31/98 and require that those agencies prepare business continuation plans. Coy has worked with the various administrative areas to re-arrange some priorities in order to complete the Year 2000 conversion by 12/31/98. The committee is trying to determine what equipment in the distributed areas will need to be converted. Coy said that if anyone knows of a problem or has a question they should direct it to a member of the committee or to him.

Richard commented that Bob Reed presented a business continuation planning seminar for the distributed computing support managers and reviewed a software package that is available for use by UNT.

General Access Labs

Cengiz Capan presented a recommendation from the General Access Lab Committee (GALC) that changes that committee to more of an advisory committee to the General Access Lab Managers Committee (GALMAC) with the latter becoming the primary contact point for the lab system. He commented that the General Access lab program is working very well, with labs being available in each distributed area of the university. Cengiz asked the IRC to consider placing the GAL system directly under the IRC, with GALC functioning as a program group.

Cengiz explained that members of the GALC are appointed by the various college deans. He said that the idea of these changes is to raise the profile of the GAL managers and hopes that a member of that group could at least be an ex-officio member of the IRC. Currently, GALC is represented by the Instruction Program Group.

The changes will be presented again at the July IRC meeting, at which time a vote will be taken on approval. If approved, the issue will be reported to the IR Steering Committee, where if approved, will result in a change to the IRC charter.

Telecommunications

Bill Buntain announced that effective June 1, 1998, the Telecommunications department came under the management of the Computing Center. The telephone operators are now under the support services area of the Computing Center; the technical staff are under Datacom and the billing function has been moved to Claims Accounting. Cleaning up university telephone billing is a major project they are dealing with. It was explained that from the user standpoint, billing questions should go to Claims Accounting; telephone change orders will be handled by the Computing Center. Bill stated that procedures are still being worked out.

General Classroom Technology Access, Security, and Liability Policy

Jenny Jopling presented, and moved for approval of, a revised General Classroom Technology Access, Security, and Liability Policy. After some discussion, Craig Berry seconded and the policy was approved.

Communications Program Group

Bill Buntain presented, for the Communications Program Group, the recommendations of an Ad Hoc Directory Services Group. Bill distributed a document outlining those recommendations, which are endorsed by the Communications Program Group. More detailed information is available on the Web at http://www.unt.edu/nms/ds/. Bill stated that the Computing Center is uncertain about the question of the cost of this project and are trying to identify resources to support it.

In addition, Bill reported that there is a major wiring project underway to convert all data jacks to 10 base T cables, in an effort to move away from the proprietary cable that has been used in the past. He also reported that the Housing department is interested in doing an ADSL trial in the dormitories.

Distributed Learning

Patrick Pluscht reported that space has been identified on the bottom floor of Chilton Hall for the distributed learning team. They hope to move into that area by early fall. Patrick distributed a document regarding WebCT Implementation at the University of Georgia. The team is dealing with copyright issues as well as use of video facilities by community groups and organizations.

July 21, 1998

General Classroom Technology Access, Security, and Liability Policy

Phil Turner announced that the IR Steering Committee met and discussed the General Classroom Technology Access, Security, and Liability Policy. They raised some questions about items in the policy which they believe are covered under existing inventory rules and procedures. Richard took their questions to Scott Dumas and after some discussion, Scott made a few changes to the new policy and has given the revised policy to Phil Diebel. If there are only minor changes, the policy will just go forward as amended; however, if there are major changes, the policy will be brought back to the IRC for discussion and approval.

Distributed Computing Support Management Team

Maurice Leatherbury reported for the Distributed Computing Support Management Team that the McAfee software has been ordered and will be distributed as soon as it is received. The Remedy roll out is proceeding on schedule, with training underway, and over 1000 trouble calls already logged into the system. Everything seems to be going well.

Year 2000

Coy Hoggard reported that user areas are working on an inventory of software and equipment in an effort to make sure that all software and hardware is Year 2000 compliant. In addition, the mainframe operating system upgrade is proceeding on schedule.

Instruction Program Group

Jenny Jopling reported that although the Instruction Program Group has not met, she wanted to note that Classroom Support Services is operating smoothly.

Administrative Program Group

Coy Hoggard reported for the Administrative Program Group that they have scheduled the installation of a new UPS, replacing a very old UPS backup system. The plan is to install it on Saturday, August 8 and there should be no interruption in mainframe service. The OS 390 conversion is in progress and the switch-over on the administrative side of the mainframe is planned for September 19-20. If all goes well, the change should be transparent to users.

Standards & Cooperation Program Group

Paul Dworak reported for the Standards & Cooperation Program Group, and distributed a draft Policy for the Acceptable Use of Everyone Mail as well as copies of the current University Computer Use Policy. The recommendation of the committee is that mail sent to an Everyone Group be limited to the communication of official University information that is owned or created by one of the following groups:

1) The Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communication, in collaboration with the Chancellor or any Vice President;

2) The Director of Human Resources; or

3) The Chief of Police.

Paul outlined some possibilities for the implementation of this policy. Paul asked IRC members for input on this policy and asked that it be placed on the agenda of the next IRC meeting for voting. There was some discussion.

Distributed Learning Center

Patrick Pluscht reported that an administrative assistant has been hired for the Distributed Learning Center. In addition, he announced that WebCT Training for Trainers is currently underway.

Accessibility of University Operations Data

Paul Dworak distributed a draft Charge to Ad Hoc Committee on Accessibility of University Operations Data as he had been requested. This committee would determine how the University operation might be streamlined by filing data related to travel, grants, etc., electronically in order to make it accessible to the entire University community. There was some discussion after which Dworak moved to take the motion to form such a committee off the table. Don Grose seconded the motion, and it passed. Paul then moved for approval of the draft charge and formation of this committee. The motion was passed by a vote of the Council.

Other Business

Maurice Leatherbury introduced Jennifer Johnson as the new Assistant Director of Computing Center Planning and Administration. Richard Harris also announced that Maurice Leatherbury would be Assistant to the Assoc. Vice President for Computing, with responsibility over Planning and Administration, in addition to being Director of Academic Computing.

Leatherbury also announced that the Strategic Plan was sent to DIR and has been approved.

Mike Kozak commented that while having a problem with his GroupWise E-mail recently, he was very pleased with the positive and helpful attitude he encountered in the Computing Center.

Jim Poirot asked if the Council could investigate changing the inventory procedures of tracking computing equipment valued under $1000.00. Richard Harris said he would discuss the issue with Phil Diebel and Scott Dumas.n