IHETS Management Committee

January 21, 2003

IHETS Board Room

Present:

Erv Boschmann, Indiana University (Chair, IPSE Working Group)
Vernon Houchins, Vincennes University
William Kramer, Ivy Tech State College (Chair, Management Committee)
Lou Jensen, Indiana State University
Steve May, Purdue University
Fred Nay, Ball State University
Frank Sabatine, Ball State University

Staff:

Tim Fisher, Dave Kaufman, Dave King, Tim Ping, Susan Scott, Kevin Siminski, Ed Stockey, Ed Tully, Lynn Ward, Julie Wheeler

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Jensen moved that the minutes of the November 19 meeting be approved as distributed. Boschmann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. King noted that an unapproved draft of Management Committee minutes will be posted on the IHETS web page shortly after each meeting.  

INTEGRATED VIDEO TASK FORCE REPORT

Kramer thanked Jensen for his work in chairing the task force. Jensen stated that the underlying assumption of the report is that increasing IHETS’appropriation is not an option. The report outlines three options for IHETS Video. Option one is to maintain the status quo in terms of both services provided and funding allocation. Option two is to recommit to the satellite network by upgrading the network encoding and scheduling technology and renewing the lease agreement for another three to five years. Option three is to not to renew the satellite lease upon expiration of the current contract, allowing network users approximately two and one half years to transition to live streaming with the talkback system currently used with satellite.   IHETS could then reallocate its support for the various networks according to the extent to which they support educational activity of as many institutions as possible, providing the opportunity at the same time to provide for supporting new services in that mix.  

Jensen stated that staff and the Task Force recommend proceeding with option three—to provide continuing availability of synchronous video with audio interaction for most instructional needs, strengthening IHETS support for the new service used most extensively by most institutions for the most purposes, and providing for new services consistent with developing institutional interests and needs.  

Nay reported that Integrated Technologies Committee members that were present at the last meeting voted unanimously to proceed with Option Three. He noted that the report indicates that the transition will take two and one half years, but it will actually be three and one half years to phase out. He cautioned against waiting too long to begin the transition and encouraged all schools to begin now. The group discussed whether some schools would be willing to donate equipment that might be reallocated to some other receive sites. Nay added that ITC will put together a list of receive sites with streaming equipment so that we will know where streaming can go.  

Boschmann added that Working Group members also support option three and are getting feedback from others at their institutions to determine the level of support.  

There was general agreement with the direction of shifting from satellite to streaming over the next several years but concern about whether there had been sufficient discussion at the faculty level. The Committee asked staff to develop an executive summary that outlines the costs, benefits, disadvantages, etc. for staying with satellite and same for transitioning to streaming.  Members agreed to discuss the issues at their institutions prior to the March 18 meeting, at which time action would be taken.  

King added that staff will be glad to help set up demonstrations to help bridge any information gaps between faculty and technologists. King concluded by pointing out that this evolution can broaden the capacity of institutions by leveraging the consortium support along a continuum from Virage/on-demand services to the Lifelong Learning Service.

The Management Committee viewed a demo comparing satellite and video streaming. Tully noted that is still conducting tests and that the 12-second delay is a result of a buffering problem and will be eliminated in the near future by technological improvements.

PENDING ISSUES

ITN - IHETS Support

ITC met to discuss the best way to reallocate the $1.14M that had been used to support network services as a result of reduction in prices.  Following several meetings, the group recommends that the funds be used to support T1s at $600/mo or $7200/year. DS3s will be supported at $1,375/mo or $16,400/year. Following discussion, Mayo moved that the $1.14M subsidy be used to lower cost of T1s and DS3s, effective January 1, 2003, and re-evaluate the pricing in six months. Jensen seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved

Lifelong Learning Service Update

Scott reported that we have been working to fill Program Manager Position in order to begin developing the pilot project.  Ward noted that the search for the Program Manager began back in September. We received 30 applications which were narrowed down to three finalists. The finalists were brought in for interviews with the Lifelong Learning Advisory Board. The consensus is that the position requires someone that can handle the day to day operations, has hands on experience and executive leadership. The staff and members of the Advisory Board feel that one candidate meets the criteria and are hopeful that an offer can be finalized with a week or two.

Scott added that the plan is to move aggressively to implement a pilot project that stations can use to begin testing in February and March.  

Learning Portal Update

King reported on progress with the Indiana Learning Portal. He stated that they have finished the needs assessment phase and are analyzing the information. The needs assessment information will be summarized and available to the institutions. The next step will be to establish an RFP for vender, supplies, etc. The Committee requested that staff prepare a status report white paper on the Portal project.

Budget Update

King reviewed the IHETS Operating Expense Summary and reported that it seems to be on track with expectations. King also reviewed the timeframe for the budget request and noted that staff is looking at what would be necessary to cut 5 percent from the budget in the event that it would be necessary.

Legislative Contacts

King reported that he met with Senators Kenley and Ford to answer questions that were generated from an earlier round-table discussion. The meetings also included Stan Jones, Laura Larimer and Ray Ewick. King also met with Senator Meek's legislative staff and will likely meet with Meeks at a later date. On the house side, King met with Rep. Cochran to answer questions raised in the October Budget round-table discussion.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Integrated Technologies Committee

Nay reported that the group's discussions have been focused on the IP Video Project and the $1.14M subsidy.

IPSE Working Group

Boschmann reported that the last meeting focused on the Integrated Video Task Force report. He noted that the Scheduling Subcommittee met in December and had only a few conflicts scheduling the video network for 2003-2004 and had the shortest meeting on record.

ANNOUCEMENTS

Kramer suggested that staff consider convening a group of legislative contacts at IHETS to demonstrate what we are doing and the potential. The Committee endorsed Kramer’s suggestion.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 18 at 10 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.