INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES
October 8, 2003
I. Welcome and Introductions
§ Members Present: Larry Merkley, Phillip Stark, Charlie McDowell, Pat LeCuyer, Bill Hyder, Peter Bergstrom, Mark Cianca
§ Guests Present: Peter McMillan, Linda Kittle, Jim Burns, Janine Roeth, Henry Burnett, Susan Willats
§ Staff Present: Max Ritchie, Fana O’Halloran
Janine provided the group with a general email update. CruzMail, a new and very reliable online email client has recently been rolled out to students. In the first two weeks of availability over 3000 students have signed up.
She provided the group a handout with a detailed timeline that tracks and projects significant steps in email services since February 2001.
The committee then discussed the Electronic Official Communications Policy Statement. The policy statement mirrors what other campuses are doing. This statement is essentially an official recognition of the fact that UCSC is already using email as a source of official communication. Student Affairs is very supportive of this policy statement, as it will save them considerable resources. The Social Sciences division has successfully been using email as official communication since 1991. It was suggested that there be an alternate form of communication for ADA compliance. The policy statement, as it stands, will go to PAC in November.
III. Improving Access to UCSC Web Content - Susan Willats
A proposal on Improving Access to UCSC Web Content was discussed. The goals of this proposal are to define a detailed campus standard for what is an accessible site, design an implementation plan to attain that level of accessibility, oversee the implementation, and maintain standards and compliance as technology changes. The Web Policy Committee, chaired by Beth Riddle, will work on accomplishing these goals by the end of the year. Beth will report back to ITC in January about her progress.
IV. Campus Portal Demonstration - Mark Cianca
Mark demonstrated the portal, and explained how it is evolving into a process driven tool instead of one that is place driven. For example, a student would click a link ‘How to apply’ as opposed to having to seek that information through an admissions link. Roles for the portal are currently being created and defined, which, along with defining processes, constitutes the majority of work that needs to be done before the portal is fully operational for all campus constituents. Three roles have already been established for the campus portal: administrator, manager, and user. A campus directory is essential to the process of defining roles.
The portal will be demonstrated to PAC in November. They will be shown how the system will operate from both an internal and external perspective, and how specific content is transmitted to specific people. The PeopleSoft web page was used as an example of how a finished product might look at UCSC. The benefits of a campus directory will also be emphasized at the PAC meeting.
V. Next Meeting: October 22. 2003