Academic Computer Policy Board

Meeting of April 24, 2002

Present: Bob Jacobel, Roberta Lembke, Dolores Peters and Barbara Reed

The main item of business for the meeting was consideration of the IIT equipment requests for summer '02. Preliminary discussion centered around several policy issues that have arisen as a part of this round of requests.

Flat panel (LCD) monitors are desired by some because of desk top space-saving, but their additional cost means we can buy more equipment for all if we utilize flat screen 17" CRT standard monitors. The committee recommended sticking with the latter configuration.

At present, the model of sharing color printers between departments seems to be the most feasible way to provide this service but it comes with considerable costs. Departments need to be aware of these costs and to ask themselves how they will be met with reduced operating budgets in the future. Departments will likely need a way to discourage inadvertent and indiscriminate use of color printing.

We returned once again to the issue of requests for laptops in lieu of desk-top computers. Changes in the campus network software this summer will make material stored on the H drive available via the web to users off campus. This should take care of many requests regarding sharing files from home to office. The committee discussed other more specialized needs such as travel to meetings, unusual commuting situations and faculty supervising off-campus programs. We decided to once again make available a small pool of laptops for travel to meetings (free of charges) and to publicize a policy about their use. The needs of faculty traveling with off-campus programs are an issue that should continue to be monitored.

We then reviewed the requests for faculty offices, laboratories and classroom technology. Classroom technology requests were the largest category and it appears that we will be able to meet approximately 65% of demand. This was followed by departmental labs requests and faculty offices, both of which will be approximately 60% funded. The small category of departmental A/V needs will be nearly fully funded. Recommendations followed priorities set out by departments, and the budgets reflect an attempt to distribute funds as evenly as possible given departmental needs and the requests received.

Roberta distributed a draft of the sabbatical leave letter offering those on leave the option to have their office computer hard drive replaced and encouragements to back up stored information. She also distributed a draft memo soliciting interest in committee membership for next year.

Respectfully Submitted - Bob Jacobel 4/24/02

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