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Governance Minutes ArchiveApril 6, 1988
MINUTES Computer Committee Newman Library Board Room April 6, 1988 3 PM PRESENT: Jim Thomas, Don Allison, Jeffrey Birch, David Goodyear, Katherine Johnston, Harry Kriz, Tom McAnge, Augustin ReynaMcGlone (for Vernon Shanholtz), Al Steiss, Michael Williams, Michael Leahy ABSENT: John Burton, Sharon Crawford, Randy Crockett, Ray Dessy, Bob Heterick, Jim Hicks, Dennis Jones, Joan McLain-Kark, Jim Montgomery, Jeffrey Wilcke, Christopher Chenard VISITOR(S): Lore Balkan (for Wayne Donald), Rosie Higdon, John Novak, Bill Sanders AGENDA ITEM 1: MINUTES OF THE MARCH 9, 1988 MEETING Motion made, seconded and passed to approve the minutes of the March meeting. AGENDA ITEM 2: COMPUTING CENTER ANNOUNCEMENTS (WILLIAMS) Dr. Bill Sanders from LRC's Educational Technologies Division is now the Manager of User Services in the Computing Center. Before joining LRC at VPI, Bill worked in the Office of Academic Comput- ing at Indiana University. Bill will be doing a complete reexam- ination of the Center's support program. VM/XA went into production two and one half weeks ago. After correcting some initial system parameter errors, VM1 has reached a stable equilibrium. There were some changes in the system op- eration due to the upgrade and it is hoped that the Computing Center has been appropriately addressing user needs in this area. One of the benefits from the VM/XA project is that we will real- ize a savings in software costs. With the software savings, the Center will be able to issue an RFP to acquire a general purpose UNIX system. Suggestions for the RFP are solicited from interested faculty. The new DEC 8800 will be delivered the first week of May, 1988. The Center is planning to move the system into production imme- diately following the spring term. The Computing Center's move to the Corporate Research Center is scheduled for August of 1989. AGENDA ITEM 3: CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF SELF STUDY CHAPTER (NOVAK) A handout was distributed listing the recommendations from the Self-Study chapter on Information Systems. Dr. Novak reviewed the major issues and recommendations. The major point of the chapter was concerned with the need to es- tablish better communications between the Information Systems units and the faculty. The need for better budget information was cited; Kathye Johnston, Director of Budget and Financial Planning, offered that had her office been contacted the information would have been readily available to the study committee. A general concern was expressed as to whether the nature and breadth of the issues examined by the study committee properly reflected the dimensions of the information system enterprise at VPI. It was noted that the study committee did not have a member from the Computing Center. AGENDA ITEM 4: CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS The University Council has postponed the consideration of this resolution. The Committee resumed its discussion of the commis- sion proposal. The resolution has been modified but the latest version was not available for this discussion. It was noted that the proposed commission would deal with facili- ties rather than programs, distinguishing it significantly from existing commissions. Committees and commissions both can recom- mend policy to the University Council, and are not distinguished in this respect. It was again observed that the added level of bureaucracy would be a further hindrance to timely responses. It was suggested that a commission would better disseminate informa- tion to the faculty. It was noted that the minutes of this Com- mittee were distributed to University Council and published in Spectrum. The current committee members have a responsibility for disseminating information to their constituencies and provid- ing feedback on items discussed at committee meetings. Motion made, seconded and passed to not support the Commission on Information Systems concept. The vote was 5 for, 3 opposed. AGENDA ITEM 5: ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA 1. Report on Data Administration The document "An Information Infrastructure for the Future" was distributed. Data Administration under the leadership of Wayne Donald put this document together. The document dis- cusses planning for the future delivery of administrative in- formation. Wayne will be on the agenda at a later meeting to discuss the issues raised within the document. 2. Resolution Supporting the McBryde Terminal Room The resolution is attached. The committee voted unanimously to approve the resolution. The next meeting is scheduled for May 4, 1988. The meeting adjourned at 16:30.
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