APPROVED
IHETS Board of Directors
July 27, 2006 – 1:00pm
Audio Conference
Attendees:
Lloyd Benjamin, Indiana State
Brett Coryell, Purdue University
Ron Davis, Vincennes University
James Dworkin, Purdue North Central
Ed Kinley, Indiana State
James Moseley, Franklin College
Jeff Pittman, Ivy Tech
Mark Rozewski, University of Southern Indiana
O’Neal Smitherman, Ball State University
Phyllis Usher, Department of Education
Brad Wheeler, Indiana University
Lloyd Wright, Public Broadcasting
IHETS staff: Tim Fisher, Dave King, Kevin Siminski, Susan Scott, George Khazal, Julie Wheeler
Chairman Benjamin called the meeting to order at 1:00pm, and introductions were made.
New Business:
Circuit Support Fund Allocation: Report from the Technical Operations and Applications Committee. The Board will review the recommendation from the Committee on circuit support allocations for FY06-07. The Committee recommends no changes from the previous fiscal year.
Smitherman reported that the Technical Operations Committee recommends that the Board approve the circuit support fund for 2006-07 the same as for the 2005-06 period, with the same structure. The circuit support fund would be approximately $700K and the Board recommends that those individuals that are currently receiving circuit support would continue to receive the same support and that if institutions migrate to I-Light, they would also continue to receive that same support for this coming fiscal year. One stipulation applies in that only I-Light direct connections (whether fiber or DS3 or T1 circuits) would continue to be supported.
The motion was seconded by Kinley. The group addressed questions about the $700K subsidy for circuit support. With so much potential for change over the coming year the committee would like to recommend the same structure as in past years whether they use existing circuits or migrate to I-Light.
2007-09 Appropriation Request: Pittman gave a report from the Finance Committee meeting held earlier this week. The Finance Committee is recommending approval of the draft 2007-09 biennial budget request. He noted that the Executive Summary is still being drafted and it is expected that an interim director will be on board soon and can finalize it in time to meet the August 15th submission date. Members reviewed the draft and staff addressed questions. Following discussion, Rozewski seconded the motion from the Finance committee to approve the budget request and the motion was unanimously approved.
Executive Director Options: Benjamin reported that following King’s announcement of his departure effective July 28th, the Executive Committee met by phone to discuss what the options are for searching for an interim and permanent replacement. The Committee discussed we should search internally (within current staff) or identify an interim from outside the organization. The consensus of the Committee was that in order to maintain equilibrium internally, we should search should focus outside the organization.
Following that meeting, Benjamin contacted William Kramer, retired Ivy Tech Provost. Kramer has a long history with IHETS and was heavily involved in the review last fall. Benjamin spoke with Kramer to assess interest and it was determined that he could be available for a six-month period with an extension if needed. The search for a permanent full-time director would be on-going during the interim period. King agreed to be available during the transition with the interim as well.
Benjamin recommended negotiating a contract to secure William Kramer to serve in the capacity of interim director, for a period of six months, and extend as needed. Smitherman seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by the Board.
Resolution of Service: Kinley read a resolution from the Board of Directors recognizing King’s service to IHETS:
The following Resolution is presented in recognition of service to the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS) and the citizens of the State of Indiana:
WHEREAS, Dave King served on the IHETS Video Network Committee and the Integrated Technologies Committee representing Purdue University and has served as the Executive Director of IHETS from October, 1998 through July, 2006; and
WHEREAS, Mr. King has provided key leadership and management that has fostered the continued growth and expansion of the IHETS organization, and
WHEREAS, Mr. King has worked to remove barriers to collaboration among organizations such as higher education, K-12 education, public broadcasting, museums and libraries to foster and extend the reach of educational services, and
WHEREAS, Dave King has worked diligently to articulate a vision of telecommunication and educational uses of technology that has encouraged the higher education community to prepare for the future; and
WHEREAS, Mr. King has worked to encourage IHETS participation in the activities of organizations and consortiums at the regional and national level thereby engendering recognition and visibility for IHETS:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System Board of Directors expresses grateful recognition for his leadership role and dedicated service to the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunications System.
Smitherman seconded the resolution and it was unanimously approved. Benjamin thanked King for his leadership and service to IHETS.
With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:50pm.
