Meeting Notes - April 17, 2014

Present: Byron Lilly, Kevin Metcalf, Marisa Spatafore (co-chairs); Wayne Chenoweth, Tom Dolen, Mary Kay Englen, Brandon Gainer, Letha Jeanpierre, Marty Kahn, Shagundeep Kaur, Michele LeBleu-Burns, Sharon Luciw (ETS), Joe Moreau (ETS), Joan Peña-Ferrick, Lorrie Ranck, Dennis Shannakian, Carolyn Wilkins-Greene; Vanessa Smith (notes)

Call to Order

Approve the notes from March 6, 2014

Notes were approved with no corrections.

Technology purchase/implementation process

Luciw gave a presentation on the technology purchase process. A discussion followed about the improvements in the new system. Chenoweth asked how technology purchases will be handled after Measure C. Luciw responded that the process will be the same.

Jeanpierre explained the college's prioritization process, and emphasized the importance of working with various deans on their requests . Kaur asked to see the list of steps for purchases and what the best way is to streamline requests; Jeanpierre reiterated that it is best for faculty members to work through their respective deans. Members had a brief discussion regarding the refreshing of old equipment.

Technology Enhanced Learning Subcommittee proposal

Ranck delivered a presentation on the proposed online learning subcommittee, approved in concept at the February meeting, and recommended renaming it the Technology Enhanced Teaching and Learning Subcommittee. Wilkins-Greene asked about training and opportunities for professional development. Ranck said there are webinars and other opportunities to foster conversation if resources can be pooled and efforts integrated. She indicated that funding sources have already been identified for the "mini grants" she proposed that the committee award.

Kahn commented on the need to serve both technology experts and those less proficient. Ranck agreed and said that spectrum also should be reflected in the membership of the subcommittee. Kaur mentioned that some departments have technology leaders and mentors with whom the subcommittee should collaborate. Lilly stressed the importance of connecting rather than repeating services. He praised the subcommittee’s focus on teaching as well as learning. Dolen suggested that Ranck share her presentation with Academic Senate.

Spatafore asked about Ranck's recommendation with regard to establishing committee membership. Ranck suggested a mechanism through which to submit names, and asked that a call for nominations be the next step. She would like to have the nomination process established by next meeting. Gainer asked how large the subcommittee will be, and Ranck said that membership would ideally be no more than 10 in order for it not to be unwieldy, with a cross-section of seven to nine members ideal.

Spatafore asked for the committee's consensus approval to move forward with the subcommittee proposal as Ranck had outlined it. The approval was granted with no objections or dissension.

Desktop backup needs

Metcalf summarized the college's need for backup and inquired of Moreau what ETS envisioned as a districtwide plan. Moreau responded that it is being researched by Luciw, and that ETS is also discussing the issue with Foothill's technology committee.

Moreau asked what type of backup members felt would be best (e.g. automated backup). Dolen asked if backup is fully automated what boost in network capacity would be needed. Moreau said it should overall be a low-impact task.

Gainer asked what mechanism would be easiest for the average user. Luciw said automation is easiest, but there would still be some personal responsibility involved. Moreau said if the goal is recovery of files, backup can be self-service. Dolen said some training may be needed and added that some users might wish to opt out of backup because of privacy concerns. Moreau reminded the committee of the Computer Use Policy, which clearly states that computers are district property but acknowledges a minimal amount of personal use is permissible, and that users should know where to place items (e.g., a draft for a planned textbook) that they don’t wish to have backed up.

Luciw noted that automation makes it easier to determine what has been lost if there is a security breach. As next steps, Moreau will talk with representatives of Foothill's technology committee, develop a draft project plan and bring some options to both of the colleges' committees.

OEI update

Moreau reported that the steering committee is active and will meet twice monthly (once in person and once online). They are forming workgroups and will reach out to others to join. The executive director should be on board by July 1. The leadership positions for Academic Services, Student Success and Academic Planning are open. The next steering committee meeting is May 2.

Heartbleed update

Metcalf explained that Heartbleed is a security bug that made many “protected” servers vulnerable to hackers. The district system is fine, although certain software needed updating. Metcalf said changing all passwords is not necessary, but users should do so if prompted.

Quick News/Other agenda items

Luciw briefly discussed the migration from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Spatafore informed the committee that the newest version of Omni Update, the content management system used by the college, would be rolled out in mid-May. She said users would be notified about details and training opportunities.

Chenoweth asked about cloud storage. Moreau suggested that Judy Baker, dean of Global Access at Foothill College, present to TTF on this topic and related security issues.

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