STAFFING

Computer Center Staffing

The Computer Center is experiencing a dramatic growth in demand for computing support and service. As computing needs grow, whether because of internal or external forces, administrative and academic users will make much greater demands on central services than can possibly be met. This means that some projects will never be a priority, much less a high priority. If we could simply match this growth with additional professional staff we would not be concerned about meeting the demand. However, budgetary realities require us to carefully consider alternatives to significant increases in our current staffing levels.

We believe most of the burden of these demands can be redistributed by increasing the basic skills of individuals, providing more flexible and powerful computing tools at the local level, and giving individuals more control over their use--a solution which is consistent with our strategy toward computing on campus; that is, to empower individual users with appropriate computing tools and skills, and to instill confidence in their ability to solve many of their own computing problems. Not only does this strategy relieve the Center from being overburdened with demands for support but it also makes a valuable investment in Potsdam College's greatest resource--its people.

Goals:

To establish tools, skills, and confidence in faculty, staff and students to accomplish their personal computing goals

Network of Local Consultants

To meet the demand for consultation on the wide variety of hardware and software-related problems encountered on campus, the Computer Center will be establishing a volunteer network of local consultants who have relevant computing experience and/or expertise. It is expected that this network will broaden the base of available expertise to individual and departmental users and that it will formalize and expand the current, but incomplete system of volunteer support for campus computing.

Goals:

To establish and maintain a local network of consultants

Departmental Computer Coordinators

Either the chairperson, or the chair's designee, is given the charge of overseeing the development and successful implementation of the department's computing plans. This individual works closely with the Computer Center and represents the department's computing interests.

Goals:

To coordinate the establishment of this position with each academic department

To identify, within each academic department, the individual who will fulfill the responsibilities of this position

Departmental LAN Managers

Each departmental LAN will also have an appointed LAN manager whose responsibilities will include the following:

* performing network administration functions (end-user accounts, passwords, etc.)

* providing general departmental user support

* trouble-shooting problems and referring as necessary

* keeping a maintenance record

* creating local documentation as needed

* maintaining supplies (paper, toner cartridges, ribbons, disks)

* backing up the server

* cleaning up old files on the server

* updating server software and hardware

* reorganizing the disk storage area used by the server to minimize file fragmentation

* ensuring the security of server-based software

Goals:

To identify and designate, a Departmental LAN Manager for each departmentally-based LAN established on campus

To train, support and meet regularly with all Departmental LAN Managers



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Document prepared by Robert Jewett. Email: jewettrj@potsdam.edu