University Standards Committee

April 19, 1995

Meeting Minutes

Committee members in attendance:

Steve Keto, Assistant to the VC for Finance and Business, co-chair

Bill Willis, Associate Provost for Academic Computing, co-chair

Sam Averitt, Computing Center

Jay Bragg, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Leo Buckmaster, Administrative Computing Services

Michael Fox, Management Information Resource Center

Wayne Godwin, School of Design

Charles Kneifel, College of Physical & Mathematical Sciences

Samuel Moore, College of Textiles

Bill Padgett, Computing Center

Dan Steen, College of Management

John Ulmschneider, University Libraries

Andy Wasilewski, College of Veterinary Medicine

Absent:

Bill Ballenger, Education & Psychology

Joe Flowers, College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Siamak Khorram, Computer Graphics Center/Forest Resources

Carl Malstrom, Computing Center

Ron Melbourne, Administrative Computing Services

Tom Miller, College of Engineering

Overview:

March minutes were approved with several changes; changes to the agenda were also noted. Hugh Devine presented the Forest Resources computing setup. The biggest update on the WWW is that there will soon be policy allowing for personal home pages. The Data & Data Access Standards Committee reported that the Data Repository Subcommittee has resolved its home page, accessible through the ACS home page, and that there will be a CQI team formed to handle University IDs. The Data Communication Protocols Subcommittee put out warnings about SATAN and Mbone; also, plans are moving forward to contract dial-in service from an outside provider. The Electronic Mail Subcommittee has met and is working on a list of recommended postmaster duties. There are two people scheduled to go to DCE training in Philadelphia soon, and the Standards Committee can probably expect a prototype plan by the next meeting. The Technology Standards Subcommittee became the Document Standards subcommittee and will revisit its charge and membership; its Desktop Standards Subcommittee will move directly under the purview of the Standards Committee. Bill Willis reported that there is a bill which would give the State Controller more power over our telecommunication processes, but it isn't likely to pass. Next meeting is Wednesday, May 17.

Discussion Detail:

1. The March, 1995 minutes were amended such that the part of #4 in parentheses will be revised to read "will be referred to in the future as data repository"; the part of #5 about dial-up providers following the (;) was removed; and then approved. Also, it was noted that the responsible parties for DCE on the agenda should be Leo Buckmaster and Carl Malstrom. It was suggested that Sherry Kappel be listed under WWW Implementation Committee, as well.
2. Presentations: Hugh Devine reviewed the computing situation for Forest Resources in Siamak Khorram's absence. In particular, the Dean wanted all offices and classrooms wired, which has been achieved. Two of three department heads now use electronic communications as primary means of information dissemination. The administrative component of each department has its own complex of systems tied into and consistent with the University systems. On the academic side, the lab has primarily PCs and a few Macs. Incoming students get a computing literary course and each instructor review computing expectations. They're currently using Windows but building a parallel Unix environment; as soon as the environment works with present applications they will shift. They've also completed four classes of a joint project with the Libraries to utilize technology in the classroom, shifting the role of the instructor to "expert guide" rather than "information deliverer." Students were very responsive; they love technology and want to do electronic presentations.

   Current issues include:

   • Closer alignment to MIRC on the administrative side
   • Classroom structure -- more resources and space are needed if classrooms are to be technologically functional
   • Personnel support -- current person overwhelmed; have half-time Computing Center support person and working with MIRC for administrative support
3. WWW Implementation Committee: Another web server, "WWW4," has been added to hold personal pages; this should speed up response time. The issue of copyright laws were discussed, particularly because a student had scanned quite a few Cindy Crawford photos that had to be removed. Also, Bill Willis has determined that student pages should be linked in as a legitimate part of academic pursuits, and is working on a policy re: personal home pages. He will clear it through the appropriate channels.
4. Data and Data Access Standards: Leo Buckmaster reported in Ron Melbourne's absence that the Data Repository Subcommittee has resolved its home page, which will be accessible via the ACS home page. In addition, a CQI team is being created to address the University ID proposal.
5. Data Communication Protocols: Sam Averitt said a couple of policy issues have come up:
   • SATAN -- Bill has put out a statement saying that students are not to run this subject to disciplinary action; administrative users have the right to use it but they're asked to run it within their domain and use it responsibly. Also, they should let their system administrators know they're planning to run it. If run contrary to instructions, it will crash the system.
   • Mbone (Multimedia Backbone) -- A word of warning that this is bad for local networks; it is exciting and has lots of potential, but it isn't mature and working the way it ought. Again, users should contact the Computing Center as they can't let it impact production users.

   In addition, Bill Willis noted that Computing Center staff have met with dial-up providers and the rates are as low as $12/15 hours, meeting our requirements. It will utilize straight TCP/IP. We will probably do it in conjunction with UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke is interested, as well. If done with Chapel Hill it could be via MCNC in the Park, which would provide essentially toll-free service in the Triangle. We're considering a trail in the Fall, but it will impact configuration so it will have to be worked out with MIRC. It will be set up as individual accounts.

6. Electronic Mail: Charley Kneifel said they'd met to discuss the duties of a postmaster and charged the technical subcommittee with the task of developing a list. If other places can be identified that are doing it well (e.g., CMU), we may plan a visit.
7. User Authentication/DCE: According to Leo Buckmaster, two people are scheduled to go to DEC training in Philadelphia in conjunction with CAUSE. The committee can probably expect a prototype plan by the next meeting.
8. Technology (hardware and software) Standards: John Ulmschneider said they'd reviewed their charge and most of the issues had been handled; the big outstanding issue is that of document interoperability standards for viewing, editing and also instructional purposes. They would like to focus on this issue. The Standards Committee determined that the subcommittee should be renamed the Document Standards Subcommittee, and that the subcommittee should meet to revisit its charge and reconstitute its membership if appropriate. Also, they should coordinate with the Student Computing Committee. The Desktop Standards Subcommittee will be moved to report directly to the Standards Committee.
9. IRMC and UNC-GA: Bill Willis reported that there is a Bill under consideration which would give the State Controller more power over our telecommunication processes, but it isn't likely to pass. He also noted that the Standards Committee will be help in the face of budget cuts because it means we're doing more things at scale.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, May 17.

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