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Governance Minutes ArchiveMarch 9, 1988
MINUTES Computer Committee Newman Library Board Room March 9, 1988 3 PM PRESENT: Jim Thomas, Don Allison, Jeffrey Birch, Sharon Crawford, Randy Crockett, David Goodyear, Bob Heterick, Jim Hicks, Katherine Johnston, Harry Kriz, Joan McLain-Kark, Jim Montgomery, John Hoernemann for Al Steiss, Jeffrey Wilcke, Michael Williams, Michael Leahy ABSENT: John Burton, Ray Dessy, Dennis Jones, Tom McAnge, Vernon Shanholtz, Paul Torgersen, Christopher Chenard VISITOR(S): Sam Hicks, Rosie Higdon, Dennis Hinkle, Sean Kilcarr, Arthur Snoke AGENDA ITEM 1: MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6, 1988 MEETING Motion made, seconded and passed to approve the minutes of the January meeting. AGENDA ITEM 2: COMPUTING CENTER REPORT (WILLIAMS) 1. The DEC 8800 will be installed the week of May 22, 1988 (af- ter spring term). The new system will replace the existing 780's in the Center's VAX cluster. The DEC 8800 can support over 200 users, is rated at 12 MIPS, and has 64MB of real memory. 2. TCP/IP access is available on VM1. Access to the Internet, and in particular, the NSF centers, can now be obtained di- rectly from any linked terminal or workstation. Aid for use of the network software is available in the form of online helps or from Computing Center personnel. 3. VM/XA planned installation is March 20, 1988. There are still some software problems but resolutions are expected prior to the production date. The LINEMODE EXEC now allows users to do interactive graphics while in full screen emu- lation mode (e.g. on VM1E). Memory sizes will be increased to at least 2MB. AGENDA ITEM 3: SELF STUDY REPORT (HINKLE) The chapter of the Self Study on Information Systems was dis- cussed. The subcommittee which produced the chapter has had three chairman and has suffered from a lack of continuity which delayed the completion of the report. It was felt that this chapter should have been a showcase. The self-study chapter on information systems was distributed to the Computer Committee and a synopsis of the issues and recommen- dations was presented. The Computer Committee members were urged by the chairman to re- view the chapter; it will provide the basis for further dis- cussions within the Committee. AGENDA ITEM 4: BOOKSTORE SOFTWARE RESIDUAL FUND (WILLIAMS) There is a residual fund ($15,000) from the sale of licensed per- sonal computer software through the bookstore. Some of the money has been committed to renew site licenses. The Computer Commit- tee of VPI Facilities is soliciting suggestions as to how the re- maining funds should be distributed. It is expected that they would be used to secure additional site licenses for PC software of wide interest to the University community. It was suggested that this committee assemble a prioritized list of software for recommendation to the VPI Facilities committee. The matter was referred to the University Computer Committee's subcommittee on microcomputing. AGENDA ITEM 5: EXTENDED TIME PURCHASE PLAN OF EQUIPMENT (LEAHY) Graduate students wish to purchase personal computers at the Bookstore using the same financing mechanisms available to under- graduates. It was pointed out that the Bookstore now offers a similar service through local banks. The contact at the Bookstore is Steve Glosh. The proposal was withdrawn. AGENDA ITEM 6: MCBRYDE REMOTE STATION (LEAHY) A concern was raised that the plan to transfer the McBryde facil- ity to the Computer Science Department would negatively impact graduate student access to terminals. Williams responded that since the planned alternative terminal facility in the upper quad has not become a reality due to the space shortage created by the closing of Squires, the McBryde lab would not be transferred to Computer Science this year. Instead, only the adjoining micro- lab, containing principally Apple Mac-L's, would be managed by Computer Science. Details were still being negotiated. The Computing Center still plans to locate another terminal fa- cility outside of the academic areas and will consider the McBryde station question again at that time. AGENDA ITEM 7: USE OF COMPUTING RESOURCES FOR PERSONAL ADVERTIS- ING (GOODYEAR) An example of a personal advertisement which was distributed on the University's mainframe was cited and the question of what should be done about it was raised. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia prohibit the use of state resources for personal gain. The Faculty and Classified Employee Handbooks have a clear statement to this effect. However, the Handbook does not pre- scribe recourse or punishment when a violation is discovered. A number of similar violations were discussed. Discovered vio- lations are usually dealt with through the individual's supervi- sor. It was concluded that no committee action is needed at the moment. AGENDA ITEM 8: ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: DISCUSSION OF FACULTY SENATE RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION FOR INFORMATION SYS- TEMS (SNOKE) The Computer Committee received a letter from the Secretary of the University Council requesting comments on a resolution from the Faculty Senate calling for the establishment of a Commission on Information Systems. Dr. Arthur Snoke from the Faculty Senate distributed a copy of the resolution and gave the background of the resolution. The Computer Committee members raised several concerns and questions. Because of the Computer Committee's inability to ad- dress the breadth of issues facing it in recent years, a Communi- cations Committee was established and those issues pertaining to communications are to be addressed there. Given this, how would the new Commission function in light of the fact that not only would its purview include computing and communications, but also would include the Library's activities? Since issues are not al- ways easily compartmentalized into one of the individual areas, some problems might fall into the gaps between the committees, though this is probably insufficient cause for a Commission. What would the new role of the existing Committees be? Despite the suggestion that they should function as they do now, it was observed that the respective charges almost entirely overlap. Perhaps a better channel to the University Council would be achieved. How would the new Commission solve the problems asso- ciated with the broad communication of issues cited in the resol- ution? Would this not simply introduce another layer of bureaucracy? What would be gained with a Commission that couldn't be achieved with the current committee structure? The composition of the proposed Commission is made up entirely of academic members. Most of the administrative units on campus have large stakes in computing and communications policies and are currently represented on the committees. The language of the resolution and explanation suggests that com- puting and communications at all levels would come under the Com- mission's jurisdiction. How will the individual departments which enjoy autonomy in how they address their departmental needs react to this? The scope of such activities would be extraor- dinarily broad. Additional comments were solicited by the chairman. AGENDA ITEM 9: ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: VICE PRESIDENT FOR IN- FORMATION SYSTEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS (HETERICK) o The University Council has a resolution pending relating to the creation of a Commission on Information Systems. This will be discussed later in the meeting. o The policy on protection of software copyrights passed on the second reading at the last University Council meeting. o "Information Systems: A Planning Perspective" was distrib- uted to the members of the committee. This document is in- tended for internal use and has been distributed to the committee for use as a basis for discussion in later meetings. The next meeting will be held on April 6, 1988 at 3 p.m. in the Library Board Room. The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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