Roles/Functions  (in no particular order)    
---------------

NOTE:  The initials for those interested in filling the following roles are
       in [ ]'s.

1.  HELPDESK - for routine, basic, recurring problems. [JU]

2.  Documentation - provide information from the most basic, broadest level to
    the specialized needs of users (customers).  Document problems that are
    solved so we don't keep re-inventing the wheel.  Provide documentation
    in printed and electronic form.   [JU]

3.  Training.  [JU]

4.  Planning and Strategy - designing office automation processes/systems; 
    developing more effective procedures/processes; budgeting/cost-planning for 
    resources (For example: Automating the purchasing process; Improving 
    information dissemination.)   [DYB]

5.  Technical Problem Solving - highly technical problem-solving involving 
    problems that are unique/intermittent and elusive.  (For example, the modem
    problems that George Ross is experiencing)  [JS, DFB]

6.  Hardware/software installations and updates.  [JS, DFB]

7.  Purchasing - consultation on purchase decisions; purchase information 
    updates; coordination with other offices involved with purchasing.  [DYB]

8.  Instructional Technology - Classroom design; consultation, evaluation and
    implementation of instructional technologies.  [JU, JS, DYB]

9.  Monitoring/Security/Accesssibility of public-access areas - student labs
    and centers.  [JU]

10. Maintenance - preventive maintenance; restoration; archiving.  [ ? ]

11. Operations - work flow analysis; making operations more 
    efficient/effective.
    [JS, DYB]

12. Technology evangelism - showing how technology might help 
    depts/offices/staff work more effectively.  [JS, DYB]
    
13. Keeping current - identifying trends, developments; reading literature, 
    etc.
    [JS, RJ]

14. Record-keeping - maintaining, updating records on resources, licenses, etc.
    [ ? ]

15. Evaluation - ascertaining how well Distributed Computing is doing?  [ ? ]

16. Public Service - liasion with external groups [JS]

17. Collaboration - developing/supporting collaborative projects/tasks on- and
    off-campus [RJ]

18. Steweardship - advocacy for departments for planning, etc.  "Knowing your
    customer" [DFB,RJ]

19. Team leadership [DYB]




Other notes from the meeting:

[JU] - we spend too much time fire-fighting; we need to try something now and
       evaluate it and change as necessary.

[DYB] - we should assign someone to each role and identify the BACKUP person
        as well for that role.

[JS] - we need to spend more time on R&D rather than always working on basic
       problems/services.

[DFB] - we should emphasize documentation first.

[DYB] - there are alot of roles (above) but we can combine roles or perform 
        tasks in several roles to do more.

[DYB] - roles and tasks are seasonal.  For example, we probably would only need
        a HELPDESK during the academic year; we could consolidate labs/centers
        during the summer; perform installations periodically rather than as
        as computers/resources arrive.