CTAG meeting April 18, 2000

Members present: Simon, Bearden, Haley, Schmidt, Blood, Chichester, Phillips, Rivenberg, Sancilio, Baldwin, Shanahan, Johnston

Visitors: Fox, McLean

The meeting was called to order at 8:35.

3 Issues were on the agenda.

1. Draft of "Library and Learning Resources" section of document for Middle States re-accreditation

Laurie Fox, author of "Library and Learning Resources" for the accreditation committee shared copies of the draft. She is particularly interested in where CTAG fits into her document. Any and all comments from CTAG committee members are welcome.

Rivenburg suggested that CTAG is not appropriately identified as an "oversight committee" under "Assessment and Evaluation" where it currently appears, because this is not part of the committee's charge from the Provost.

Simon pointed out that the document does not address distance learning but that the Middle States evaluators will probably want to know our activities and policies in distance learning.

Simon will supply Fox with necessary CTAG documents

 

2. Report from the SUNY Morrisville "wireless campus" conference.

Chichester, Fox, and McLean went to the conference.

Selected programs required students at the 2 year ag and tech college to purchase laptop computers beginning in fall 1999. Because required, 800 students bought laptops and the purchase was "financial aidable". The cost was $500. per semester for 4 semesters.

Many issues questioned by our representatives were not yet answered because the program was new.

Support was based on the large volume: students must back up all material on disks, and hard drives are re-initialized or replaced when malfunctioning.

One issue of concern is the number of computers that can function in a single wireless zone -- something as yet untested. (Chichester)

Rivenburg pointed out that Geneseo is not under pressure to use more technology -- it is more important for us to assess educational efficacy and convenience.

Some software was included in the cost of the laptop package, some specialized software was placed on servers, and some was loaded in the beginning of the classes and will be erased at the end. (Blood)

The general response of the committee was tentative, agreeing with Rivenburg that educational concerns are most important. If we move to laptop computers and/or wireless computers, it should be adapted on a trial basis first, probably with a few academic programs.

 

3.CTAG Web presence committee

The following report was submitted by the Web Presence subcommittee and discussed by the CTAG committee as a whole.

Discussion will continue at the next CTAG meeting. Recommendations contained in this report need further discussion before the report is passed on.

Simon suggested that all of our reports be sent not only to the Provost but also to the President, and possibly to other relevant adminstrators.

Blood suggested that all of our reports with suggestions contain a detailed rationale behind the suggestions in order to aid the Provost, President or others in decision making.

 CTAG's meeting was adjourned at 9:45 am

REPORT:

Report: Offered by the Web Presence Subcommittee

James Bearden, Bill Caren, Sue Chichester, Jack Cook,

John Haley, Roxanne Johnston, Ilana Smith, Maryann Stopha

Issues addressed by the Web Subcommittee of CTAG for the 1999-2000 academic year are as follows:

  1. Resources

    1. Web Graphic Assistant

    2. Electronic Image Bank Librarian

    3. Student Web Assistants

  2. Commerce Server

  3. Web Editorial Committee

  4. NYS Mandate on Web Content Accessibility

  5. Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights

  6. Forum for Feedback

Action Requested - The Web Presence Subcommittee asks that the full CTAG Committee accept the following as official CTAG recommendations:

As a "first look" to hundreds of thousands of people, our web site has enormous potential to assist SUNY Geneseo in meeting several of its key institutional priorities, including achieving its undergraduate recruitment targets, enhancing its national image and prestige, influencing policy makers, and increasing private giving. It is a unique public relations and marketing communications tool that can reach external constituents such as prospective students, alumni, donors, policy-makers, media personnel, and the general public through an extensive network of academic, administrative, faculty and student information.  A first-class web presence is critical to our continued success as a premier public liberal arts college.

The growth and impact of the web on communications and services at SUNY Geneseo is tremendous. It is important that we take a coordinated and systematic approach to meeting this demand for services in order for us to maximize the positive impact of our presence through the internet.

As a means of meeting this demand for critical services, CTAG respectfully recommends that the College:

  1. Seek funding for new resources to be allocated to initiate and sustain a major collaborative effort that will result in a first-class web presence for SUNY Geneseo through budget requests for the following positions:
  1. Seek funding for a commerce server product that will interface with Banner to accept credit card payments over the web.
  2. Establish a Web Editorial Committee led by a designated representative from CIT and from College Advancement. This committee would have responsibility for the developing, managing, and promoting of Geneseo’s internet and intranet presence; developing and maintaining standards, including visual identity, editorial, and technical standards, and policies that guide college-wide and departmental sites; and for maintaining the integrity of the system, both in its technological elements and its content, in collaboration with departmental liaisons.

Other Issues:

NYS Mandate: The CTAG Web Presence Subcommittee has discussed the New York State Mandate on Web Content Accessibility and the charge that SUNY Geneseo make web content accessible to people with disabilities. CIT is aware of these guidelines and is making an honest effort to comply.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights: The CTAG Web Presence Subcommittee feels that the issue of web copyright and intellectual property rights does not lend itself to immediate policy recommendations and suggests that it be looked at as a separate policy question to generate necessary experience and information to reach a sound conclusion and that Associate Professor Jack Cook chair this important committee, with committee members to include John Haley, Maryann Stopha, legal counsel, and a student representative designated by the Student Association.

Forum for Feedback: The CTAG Web Presence Subcommittee understands the importance of providing a forum for feedback on SUNY Geneseo’s Web and is working together with CIT to meet that need. Suggestions have included developing a survey for faculty, staff, students, parents, etc. to provide an opportunity for public feedback on where our gaps are – what our audience is looking for and not getting, etc. Another suggestion already implemented was to hold "town meetings" with students in the residence halls to get their feedback.