Computing & Information Services
Computing Policy Committee Minutes
Thursday, October 25, 2001
9:00 - 10:00 am
CPC Members present: Marianne Colgrove, Ann Delehanty, Jim Fix, Paul Gronke, Robert Knapp, Anne Michelson, Christine Morita-McVey, Jon Rivenburg, Marty Ringle, Pat Wong
CPC Members absent: Carl Anderson, Vickie Hanawalt, Ed McFarlane, Ellen Stauder, Tyler Williams
Robert Knapp called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
1. Review of User Agreement: Anne Michelson noted that the fee for color printing is $1.00 per page and this information should be added to the User Agreement. M. Ringle asked the Committee if faculty and staff should be notified of user agreement changes every 2 or 3 years and suggested that sending a paper version to them might be appropriate. Ann Delehanty suggested linking a yearly password change requirement to a user renewal of the user agreement. The Committee endorsed this idea and M. Ringle will convey this to the CIS staff.
The Committee reviewed the Acceptable Use Policy. Paul Gronke noted that unauthorized duplication of copyrighted images should be added to the violations on item #4 of the policy. M. Ringle will make this modification. R. Knapp wondered why the User Agreement and the Acceptable Use Policies are separate documents. M. Ringle suggested merging them into one document and the Committee approved. The merged document will be put on the CIS web pages.
2. CER update memo - Discussion of CER Budget model. M. Ringle began the discussion by describing the 1996 recommendation to CAPP that the replacement model for desktop computers be based on a pool of 850 machines with an average replacement cost of $2,200. This resulted in a 10 year replacement cycle on paper though the actual replacement cycle appears to be shorter, perhaps 7 years or less. M. Ringle noted that 90% or more of the requests have been accommodated and that central systems are upgraded on a 3 to 4 year basis. The budget for equipment replacement has been increased by 3% each year since 1996 and the budget also rolls over fiscal years so that lab replacements and other large projects can be done more easily.
M. Ringle described the conversation that he, Ed McFarlane, and Peter Steinberger had in which it was decided that machines for new faculty positions and other academic innovations (such as a new student lab) would be purchased using Dean's funds and that 15% of the purchase cost would be added to the allocation budget to accommodate regular replacement of the new machines. Equipment for new staff positions would be paid for by the Treasurer's office.
M. Ringle noted the need to clarify an agreement to cover theft of computer equipment. M. Colgrove noted that stolen equipment is currently replaced by the Treasurers' office. M. Colgrove also noted that if college owned equipment is stolen while the machine is off campus, the person to whom the equipment is allocated is asked to pay a $500 deductible to the college and the college covers the balance of the replacement. Some staff are required to travel with their college owned laptops so this practice may not be appropriate. P. Gronke questioned whether personally owned computer equipment is covered, noting that the college is saving money by not purchasing these machines even though they are used for work purposes. M. Ringle suggested discussing this when Ellen Stauder and Ed McFarlane are present. A. Delehanty suggested providing lockdowns for computers. M. Colgrove responded that CIS recently began purchasing lockdown cables for all laptops but that people may not use them. P. Gronke expressed concern that the community has not been informed about the $500 deductible that they might be asked to pay. M. Ringle agreed that disseminating the information is necessary and suggested that Ed McFarlane should be present for this discussion.
P. Gronke noted that a 10 year replacement cycle is not workable for faculty. M. Ringle suggested that the Committee to re-visit the question of funding and the length of the equipment replacement cycle when the Treasurer and Dean of Faculty are present.
A. Delehanty questioned why visiting faculty receive older machines. M. Colgrove responded that departments request equipment for visiting faculty and tend not to rank visiting faculty equipment requests very high. R. Knapp suggested tabling the discussion until E. Stauder and E. McFarlane are present and suggested that the Dean periodically review allocations to avoid the visiting faculty equipment issues.
3. Emeritus faculty support policy - Discuss revisions to the policy. M. Ringle noted that the typos had been removed and that changes to the policy were made under item II, sections D & E. Ann Delehanty suggested changing "dialup" to ISP and A. Michelson suggested that during the final four weeks of classes emeritus faculty should not seek support from CUS staff. The revised policy was approved by the Committee. M. Ringle will ask E. Stauder to distribute the revised policy to emeritus faculty.
4. After hours computing support discussion. M. Ringle asked the Committee if CIS should try to support evenings and weekends by changing CUS staff schedules. One suggestion would be a 1:30 to 9:30 pm weeknight shift and an alternating Monday-Saturday shift followed by a Monday-Thursday shift. A. Delehanty suggested implementing a centralized email and phone system that a staff person could check on Saturdays rather than having a set Saturday schedule. A. Delehanty also suggested using text pagers as a more reliable method for reaching staff than relying on a rotating person to check email and voicemail. R. Knapp suggested waiting until the new ETC building is occupied to see if the demand is present. The Committee agreed that this would be better than trying to change CUS procedures at this point, especially given the impending staff turnover in CUS.
R. Knapp adjourned the meeting at 10:00 am.
Last modified: October 15, 2003