I.S. Meeting Minutes
April 7, 1995

Present: PBrouwer, BBuchanan, PHoyt, RJewett, GLinkins, CLucia 

Agenda:
- Budget update
- Promotions, Re-appointments, Salary adjustments - IS budget planning/requests for lapsing funds - Future of the Strategic Technologies group - E-mail
- New items?
- Around the table
- Next meeting

The budget update discussion continues to be pretty much the same; that is, negotiations at the State level are ongoing, and SUNY must await that outcome. At the local level, Pete B. noted that the Priorities committee has been meeting, at the President's request. He reported that some first-year people have been renewed, and some searches have been renewed (the IS/AVP search remains on hold). The question of replacements for retirees was also discussed, and remains a question. 

A discussion was held on reappointments, promotions and salary adjustments. There will be some promotions this year funded at the usual levels out of the 1% discretionary pool. Part of that pool will be used for promotional increases, and the balance distributed to Deans on some formula for salary increases, be they equity or merit. The process in Information Services will be to submit requests to Pete B. Generally, salary adjustments will be considered after promotions, in late May or June. Reappointment folders are to be submitted by April 28 to Pete B. who forwards them to the Provost by May 10 (June 30 and August 31 notification dates). Promotions follow the same schedule.

Lapsing funds were discussed relative to the May 1 purchase order (encumbrance) date. Cynthia said that CCUP funds ($30K) should be encumbered by May 1, or at least a memo to Mary Scott indicating how the funds will be used. Geri reported that the Library is in need of about eight computer upgrades ($15-20K). Bruce is negotiating with DEC for another Alpha box; he reported a $33,721 quote at this point. He estimates maintenance savings next year in the vicinity of $17K, which he would journal transfer into the IS account, to be used by the Division as a whole. The Library is in need of a CD-ROM server. Bob is checking into the price of security systems, or "asset protection", wireless security devices, in particular. The entire system of printing on the campus will be looked into, maybe tied in with the SUNYCard. The ongoing need for faculty computers and administrative computing needs is another candidate for lapsing funds (that may be coordinated with ACAC and with Dean's money). Crane printers were mentioned. ETI funding is still in the budget at this time. Cynthia will develop a 'lapsing funds' spreadsheet. 

Wiring the dorms was discussed. Bob reports that we would lay cable, because "wireless" is not close to being anywhere near what we would want to do. For example, to lay cable in one dorm (say, Draime) might cost $50-75K. Several ideas were discussed, such as maybe cabling one floor in one dorm, as a start. The idea of a pilot project in a freshman dorm was discussed, as incoming freshmen seem to be more and more computer-oriented. Bob believes in the incremental approach, rather than one massive effort to wire every room in every dorm in one big, long, and expensive project. The attractiveness of the incremental approach lies in the fact that the technology changes so quickly that such an approach allows flexibility in the continuation and direction of the project. Among other things, it may well be that not every student is interested in having such a connection. There was a discussion of what should drive such a project: should it be for 'marketing'? Should there be faculty and student demand driving the need for wiring dorm rooms? Or a combination thereof? Bob will get in touch with Chip Morris in Student Life, and in conjunction with Orientation, may seek to do a computer interest survey of incoming students.

Another candidate for lapsing funds is the need for overhead projection in Kellas. Geri noted that Bob as Director of Telemedia is eligible for AV equipment, so he will look into that.

Bruce is looking into SPSS on the Alpha. There is some question about that. SPSS on the desktop is being investigated. 

The future of the strategic technologies group was discussed. There are some effectiveness concerns, and the suggestion is to drop it. It was decided that this was a model that does not work, and Pete B. will send a memo thanking those who were involved. Time proved to be a major constraint factor.

It was decided to postpone the discussion on email streamlining until the next meeting. Also, printing must be an issue for this group, prior to Fall. The general feeling is that it is 'out of control'. SUNYCard will probably not be on this campus for another year or two, but we cannot wait that long to get printing under control (this refers to the free laser printing on campus computers).

Cynthia reported on the response to technology conference offerings made by Information Services. At this point, maybe a half-dozen faculty have expressed some interest and are picking up brochures. The list is updated and posted in the Reporter every week. Bob has gotten very little response to the on-campus PictureTel sessions with Plattsburgh later this month. He will do some direct emailing to promote this, and if need be, offer food and drink!

Bruce said he will be doing new faculty training sessions, and set up accounts, for Fall. He reported on the Wizard Conference. He said the Oracle and DEC presentations were good. Bruce is collecting a file on data warehousing.

Geri reported that Dave Trithart is taking over Kay Klayman's responsibilities temporarily, as Kay is leaving for a job in Washington, D.C.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 20, at 9:30.