APPROVED

PRESENT

Wayne Bohm, University of Southern Indiana
Dale Dowden, Vincennes University
John Huie, Purdue University
Lou Jensen, Indiana State University
Dennis Kramer, Ball State University
Ellen Watson, Indiana State University

STAFF

Dave King
Nancy Millichap
Jennifer Ping
Susan Scott
Kevin Siminski
Ed Stockey
Jeff Walker
Julie Wheeler

Chairman Huie called the meeting to order at 10:05a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the March 23 meeting were approved as distributed.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Huie reported that there has been no news and that final decisions are expected soon.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH

Huie reported that 41 applicants meet the minimum education requirements and they have been distributed to the Search Committee. The Committee was asked to place the applications in categories of strong, possible, and others, and the group will meet this afternoon to begin the review process. Huie added that Dave King is not a candidate and has been added to the Search Committee. The next step will be to contact references and then begin interviewing.

PENDING ISSUES

Satellite Channel Reduction: Scott reported that there have been a number of discussions over the past few weeks regarding capacity needs for video-based programming. The initial discussions with the Scheduling Committee revealed serious reservations about the channel reduction. The next discussions took place with the Working Group, whose members were equally concerned about the same issues. Staff put together a variety of information including an example of how existing and anticipated courses could be accommodated across both the satellite system and the Access Indiana State Backbone, in a way that would meet or exceed the requirements that we are currently aware of. Staff also prepared information on which schools, libraries, and IHETS receive sites might be able to move to the backbone to use video in the next year. That information showed that at least 120 sites should be on by Fall 2000. A number of those are public access sites, and are due to plans by State Library to equip a number of libraries around the state with video equipment to be used on the backbone.  In addition, staff prepared a review of information activities that have taken place to date.The information was then distributed to ITC, Working Group and the Scheduling Committee.

The ITC met last week and unanimously approved a recommendation for staff to continue with the plans to reduce channels. The Scheduling Committee met again last week and reviewed all of the information and reluctantly endorsed the reduction in channels. Jensen added that the Working Group also endorsed the recommendation.

Watson moved that staff proceed with notification of the satellite vendor about plans to reduce satellite bandwidth to 4 channels in 2000-2001. Bohm seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Watson added that the ITC is concerned with the money allocation associated with the reduction in broadcast channels. The group proposed that if the channels are not reduced then a charge might be accessed for satellite usage that would be applied to all usage in order to recover those fees.

Scott noted that one thing that became clear in the Working Group discussions was that staff needs to do a better job of providing a variety of demonstrations that are geared specifically toward faculty, instructional designers, or technology support personnel in the university community. Staff will move quickly to organize a number of these activities.

Watson added that the ITC feels that technically there is sufficient bandwidth to cover the requested courses, but the Scheduling Committee will need to look at which medium will best suit their needs. Evidence suggests that the current programming will be able to use the current system. The Working Group will take the lead in discussions on an institutional basis while taking learner needs into account.

STAKEHOLDER SYMPOSIUM

King reported that the Stakeholder Symposium has been postponed due to low response.  Staff called invitees for feedback as to why participation was low. It seems that some invitees were not clear about the purpose and that it was scheduled at a busy time of year. Staff hopes to reschedule in the summer or next fall. Huie suggested that staff might consider doing regional meetings.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

King announced that the Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for June 15. The Management Committee will meet at 10:00, followed by lunch and a 1:30 Board meeting.  It will likely be held at the new IHETS facilities at 714 N. Senate. Representatives from IPBS, State Library, and the Governor’s office will be invited to participate.

Agenda items for the meeting will include: -discussion of expanded scope meetings -budget -review of a detailed description of what is expected from the policy committees -report on course offerings and enrollments -report on the Executive Director’s search -report on the relationship between AT&T, Ameritech, AISB

The Management Committee will discuss the agenda items again at next month’s meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Integrated Technologies Committee – Watson reported that Jacob Levanon and others from Indiana University gave a presentation on Internet II and the Abilene Project. The ITC is concerned that the IHETS and the institutional networks be designed in a way that, as the increased bandwidth becomes available, we will be able to participate without considerable redesign. Levanon addressed concerns related to explicit routing capability, multicasting protocol, and performance on campuses.

In addition, the ITC’s task force appointed to recommend guidelines for scheduling on the backbone has completed its charge, and the recommendations will be shared with the Access Indiana leadership as appropriate.

Working Group Jensen reported that the Working Group discussed the Stakeholder Symposium. Another item was a discussion of the impact of the expanded scope meetings and how new members will be incorporated into the Working Group. The Group discussed the home institution concept and plans to bring together representatives from Financial Aid and other support-services functions to discuss how to improve interinstitutional processes. 

STAFF REPORTS

Fisher reported on the status of the budget. Information has been received from all Product Managers at the end of last week. That information is being compiled for review by the managers next week to begin developing the budget.  The proposed timeline is to bring it to the Management Committee for endorsement next month and to the Board of Directors on June 15. He added that preliminary reports indicate that the IHETS operating budget for 1999-00 will be around 10M, which is up from this year’s 9.2M, not including the backbone. In addition to that, there will be about 1.3M in one-time funds for migration to the backbone. The backbone budget is projected to be 9M, which will be supported by the State and fee revenue. 

Fisher distributed the Quarterly Report on the Operating Budget for review. The report shows a projected balance of $425,000 at the end of the year. Of that balance, approximately $200,000 is money that was received from Ivy Tech for equipment lease purchase. That money will be used for equipment payment over the next two years. Also, $100,000 will be used for equipment and other items needed for the move. 

Kramer asked for more details on personnel issues and the contracted services area.

Fisher reported that the move to the new facilities is approximately two weeks ahead of schedule and running at or under budget.The proposed move date is June 21.

King distributed and reviewed a flow chart which illustrates the relationships between AT&T, Intelenet, Ameritech, IHETS and the customers.

IP VIDEO TASK REPORT

Kingreported that staff are beginning to test Internet Protocol video technology. This technology will allow institutions to provide on-campus conferencing at a reasonable cost. Stockey added that the next ITC meeting will be conducted by video.

Thenext meeting is scheduled for May 18 at 10:00 a.m.

Themeeting adjourned at 11:40.