Integrated Technologies Committee 1999
June 8, 1999
IUPUI University Library 1116
Present:
Wayne Bohm, University of Southern Indiana; Carl Koenig, Vincennes University; Fred Nay, Ball State University; Ellen Watson, Chair, Indiana State University.
IHETS STAFF:Tim Fisher, Max Gordon, Betty Hart, Dave King, Nancy Millichap, Jennifer Ping, Tim Ping, Susan Scott, Ed Stockey, Ed Tully, and Jeff Walker
Approval of May meeting minutes
Watson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. King asked that the May meeting minutes be amended to state that the Executive Director search brought in 41applications, narrowed to 9 for complete reference checks. The minutes were unanimously approved as corrected.
Plan for connecting satellite receive sites to the State backbone
Scott described results of using enrollment data as the basis for rank-ordering satellite receive site activity, noting that the process did not appear to result in optimal site availability for course transitions from satellite to the backbone. Therefore, staff has proposed that the fall scheduling process (for academic 2000-2001) cover both satellite and backbone delivery requests. Then site equipment decisions can be based on programming actually scheduled and the locations where students are most likely to need service according to history of those or similar courses. She reminded ITC members that IHETS’ budgetary planning assumed that the eight current satellite originators would receive ATM video equipment during the first quarter of fiscal 1999-2000 but the proposal would defer equipping receive sites until the second half of the fiscal year.
Committee members stated that their institutions are eager to begin testing use of two-way video via the State Backbone early this fall, and originators would like to be equipped as soon as possible in the fiscal year. They also need sites with whom to conduct tests, so the discussion resulted in consensus to allow each originator to designate one receive site to be connected this fall. Tully pointed out that the budget will not support more than the projected number of sites per quarter, and he asked originators to identify their test sites within the next month so staff can assess the financial impact as well as any associated connection issues.
In response to a question from Koenig about a choice between IP and ATM video equipment, King responded that staff continues to recommend ATM video for distance learning applications at least through January. On the other hand, the Intelenet Commission office and several public libraries will be connecting with IP video equipment during that time period, so both options will be available as backbone services.
Watson summarized the ITC consensus to proceed with the site equipment process as proposed and with equipping each originator “plus one” within the next few months. Scott noted staff will draft a letter of understanding to reflect expectations and agreements about the IHETS equipment to be placed at each site.
King noted that the legislature appropriated a total of $2M for the biennium for higher education transition to the State Backbone, and this plan covers half of the funding during the first year of the biennium. By next spring when the budget for 2000-2001 is being developed, we will need a plan for second-year use of the capital funds, and equipping more satellite receive sites may not necessarily be the most effective use of those funds. King asked ITC members to be thinking about the convergence of technology and content and how to set technology priorities in light of IHETS’ new mission and vision. Watson noted that Tully will be developing a background paper to address some of these issues and asked staff to update the ITC on a quarterly basis regarding progress with backbone connections.
Review of IP video test at the May meeting
Ed Stockey summarized the written evaluations of the May ITC IP video test (distributed prior to the meeting). He noted that despite poor audio due to echo cancellation problems, most respondents felt that the technology was promising and warranted continued monitoring and testing. He added that staff will test two additional video bridges for H.323 later in the summer. Watson expressed the committee’s appreciation to staff for their energy and time investment in arranging the demonstration and testing.
The August ITC meeting will be a video conference using ATM, with another IP test to be scheduled later in August or September with IP and ATM video running side by side. King asked for advice from ITC members regarding how IP video applications would fit into broader institutional technology plans when the technology is more stable. Watson asked Betty Hart to remind ITC members to respond with their plans to Ed Stockey at estockey.ihets.org by Friday, June 11, 1999.
Board of Director June 15 meeting agenda
King reported that the meeting will begin at noon with an informal lunch and tour of the new facility, with the business meeting to start promptly at 1:00 p.m. Based upon an endorsement from the Board of Directors, an official welcome will be extended to two new board members and one new board appointee: Mr. Ray Ewick, State Librarian, Indiana State Library, Mr. Larry Grau, Executive Assistant for Education, Governor’s Office, and Mr. Lloyd Wright, President and General Manager, WFYI Teleplex. Agenda items will include:
· Review and approval of IHETS 1999-2000 operating budget
· Endorsement of IHETS’ relationship with the Access Indiana State Backbone
· Impact analysis of the expanded mission and vision
· Update on the Executive Director search
Next meeting
The next ITC meeting is scheduled for July 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the IHETS conference room at 714 North Senate Avenue.
Tour of IHETS’ new facilities at 714 N. Senate
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 with a tour of IHETS’ new facility to follow.
