Department Interviews - 1996

Interview:  David Curry Philosophy
     Date:  4/5/96


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. Expand the Philosophy department's computing lab ("center") for 
      faculty and majors.  This would include an additional computer and a 
      scanner.

      The purpose of this center is to provide access to computer resources
      for students and faculty.  Students who use the center can consult
      with faculty who are nearby.  The center is protected with a combination
      lock so that students have access to the room whenever the building is 
      open.

      Laser printing is available in the center and is paid for by the 
      department.

   b. Need space on a server so that PC users, as well as Mac users, have 
      access to departmental and instructional materials/informatin.  The
      department is currently using space on the English department's server.
      FTP access might be one option to use for this universal access.

   c. Joe DiGiovanna wants a color monitor for his Macintosh.  This request
      will be sent to Dean Pletcher.  The department has ordered extra memory
      for his computer as well so that he can use Internet applications.



2. Student Computing Access Program (SCAP) proposals:

   a. See (1a) above.  Expanding this center by one computer is the department's
      highest priority.
      
   b. The department would like to purchase CD-ROM based instructional material
      for use by faculty and students.  A series entitled, "Past Masters", has
      a broad range of material.  A minimum purchase would be approximately
      $1000.


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

   a. Expanding the department's computing center by one computer (see 1a).

   b. Purchasing CD-ROM material, "Past Masters" (see 2b above).

   c. Purchasing a scanner for the department's computing center.


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

   - Philosophy is frustrated with our department's responsiveness to
     their problems and requests, though they understand the load DC/TM works
     under.  Service has not kept up with the level of technology and resources
     that faculty and students now have.

     Student Assistants sent to solve problems that the department has often
     know less about the technology than the faculty.  Hiring additional 
     professional support staff should be considered if that will solve the 
     service problem.

     The HELPDESK is not much better at responding to problems than staff that
     do not return calls. 

   - Students should be made aware of the limited life of diskettes they
     are given when setting up email.  

   - The department is experiencing continual problems with their laser printer
     which goes "off-line".  The last outage lasted 4 days.  

   - No particular concerns over the move of the Levitt Center/Kellas Computer
     Classroom unless hours of access were less than what is available now.