Department Interviews - 1996

Interview:  Al Robinson, Don Osterburg, Mary Rutley, Chuck Foster - Biology
     Date:  4/8/96


1. Do you have plans for special initiatives and/or projects for the 96-97 
   school year that involve technology?  -- for your students, your faculty, 
   your department?

   a. Stowell 211 needs a permanent arrangement for the presentation/computer
      technology in the room.  These technologies would be used more if they
      were convienent and ready to use.  Also, there should be a CD-ROM player
      and a VCR, as well as the laserdisc player.

   b. Imaging system. Al Robinson has identified a camera ($900) and software 
      ($600) that will give the department imaging capabilities.  It would 
      desirable to share any images generated with students via a server.  

   c. BioQuest may be available commercially at a lower cost than the current
      academic licensing arrangement.

   d. Most of the faculty have older computers with limited memory.  They need
      computers with color, lots of RAM and storage to work with the variety
      of multi-media software available and have CD-ROM drives.

   e. The department is interested in using the Web to locate biology resources
      for students and faculty.  They would also like to post more departmental
      information.


2. Student Computing Access Program (SCAP) proposals:

   a. Replace the SE30's in the department's lab with PowerMacs.  A grant has
      been submitted to address this, but if it is not funded, this would be
      a SCAP request.
      

3. What are your most important concerns and priorities for the 96-97 school 
   year?  -- for your students, your faculty, your department?

   a. Replacing SE30's in student labs (see 2a above).

   b. Replacing faculty computers.

   c. A permanent arrangement for the computer/presentation technology in 
      Stowell 211.

   d. Imaging hardware/software.


4. How can we improve our services and support to meet your needs? 

   a. There are no particular concerns with relocating the Levitt Center or
      moving the Kellas Computer Classroom to Crumb Library (where the Levitt
      Center is currently located).

   b. The department is frustrated with getting answers to their questions
      and requests for help with problems.  Some problems have lingered for
      as long as 6 months.  

   c. One suggestion was to have someone stop by the department routinely
      so that faculty/staff would know when and could approach that person
      with any questions or problems they were having.  The only problem with
      this approach is when there are not any questions or problems for this
      person (which, hopefully, would be the case most of the time).

   d. There are no problems or concerns with the telephones or A/V equipment.