CITAC Minutes
November 13, 1997

The first meeting was held at 1:00 p.m. in Room 204 of the K-State Student Union. Attending were Ken Brooks, Mel Chastain, Ken Conrow, Matt Dwyer, Jeanette Harold, Brice Hobrock, Faye Kennedy, Douglas King, Judy Miller, Vincent Ortiz, Martin Ottenheimer, Keith Ratzloff, Bradley Shaw (chair), Gail Simmonds, John Streeter, Roger Terry, Harv Townsend, and Beth Unger.

Vice-Provost Unger welcomed the council members and discussed her charge to CITAC. The multi-faceted charge includes five major areas, which include:



The full text of the initial charge to the council is included as an addendum to these minutes. Dr. Unger stressed the need to make suggestions regarding the software and hardware needs of new servers that are planned or contemplated in support of faculty. She cited the need to deal with procedural issues and matters of policy, as well as the selection of appropriate tools. Dr. Unger urged the council to interview representatives of CNS, Telecommunications, SWAT teams, and others who are involved in the design and implementation of programs. Since technology is developing at such a rapid pace, it is important to be engaged in strategic planning to help us prepare for the future. She mentioned the three standing committees (CCT: Computer and Communications Technology; IMT: Integrated Media Technology; and MIST: Management Information Systems Technology; and) and issues that relate to their traditional functions. In particular, Dr. Unger stated that among the challenges for the consideration of CITAC are: 1) the fragile nature of our current computing networks on campus; 2) the need to increase bandwidth; 3) funding; 4) the use of technology in Continuing Education and distance education

Prior to her departure from the meeting, Dr. Unger introduced Bradley Shaw, CITAC chairperson for 1997-98, who in turn asked for comments and suggestions by the council regarding the year's agenda, in light of the charge given to us by Vice-Provost Unger. A general discussion followed. The focus of considerable attention was the issue of the funding and implementation of instructional technology initiatives on campus. KSU's level of funding for instructional technology was compared by John Streeter to more favorable situations among other "Big Twelve" universities. Roger Terry asked about the SWAT teams and how they fit into our overall responsibilities. Hobrock observed that funding deficiencies can be resolved on campus by a coalition of funding sources. Shaw announced that he would assign committees based on the charges to the council and that the committee organization would not necessarily follow the three committee system of previous years. He urged members to communicate with him should they have special interest in one or more of the charges put forth by Dr. Unger.

Regarding agenda items for subsequent meetings, Mr. Townsend expressed the desire for CITAC to review the status of a CNS review of software for a university-wide calendar/scheduler program.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

For CITAC,



Bradley A. Shaw
Chairperson and Secretary Pro-Tem

attachment: Mission Statement for CITAC Strategic Planning Council

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mission Statement for CITAC
Strategic Planning Council

The CITAC committee is asked this academic year of 1997-98 to consider the teaching and learning Information Technology environments and support services as a primary charge. This charge includes;

1. Recommendations of a supported environment on instructional servers for the academic departments to allow faculty to create, store, update, and generally manage digital modules of instruction and to create and maintain the course materials and evaluation processes for students in courses. It also includes those software user interfaces to the systems which may have to be created locally until such interfaces are available as products on the market.

A SWAT (Strategic Way to Access Technology) team led by Jeanette Harold is working on initial recommendations in this area. CITAC is urged to interact with this team and to have these people assist in any campus education or discussion needed.

2. Recommendations of policy to support the use and management of the above environment. Such recommendations will eventually be forwarded by the VPAST to IRMC.

3. Study of the plans created by CNS and Telecommunications for the wiring and upgrade of the campus network. Recommendations based on unmet needs should be a goal for the May 1 report to the Executive Computing Committee.

4. Study of the TAC development and recommendation of services and growth of that user support facility, including a study of the facilities at other forefront universities, e.g. University of Michigan.

5. Continuation and development of the CITAC lecture series to examine forefront ideas and to create a base of knowledge of the Information Technology environment.

CITAC is the strategy planning group for the campus. Examination of Vision 2020, and the university strategic planning initiative should be a part of considerations, especially in the areas of international programs (e.g., virtual study abroad), graduate programs, distance learning and general education.)

Elizabeth Unger, Vice-Provost for Academic Services and Technology, 10/23/97


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February 18, 1998