Minutes from the CFT meeting September 19, 2007

• Meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m.

• Attendees:  Tamla Blunt, BSPM grad rep & Chair; Gabi Marquez, ANSCI grad rep; Teri Howlett, Hort grad rep; Dan Watson, Landscape Hort undergrad rep; Matt Everitt, DARE undergrad rep; James Long, LA undergrad rep; Sally Jones, SCS undergrad rep; Cathy Braunlin, Landscape Hort undergrad rep; Ed Peyronnin, IT Mgr.  Members not present:  Dan Deisenroth, DARE grad rep; Elizabeth Castelbaum, SCS grad rep; Mallory Hudgins, ANSCI undergrad rep; Emily Kiewit, Hort undergrad rep.

• Old Business:  Software upgrades was tabled until next meeting as we need more information before we can proceed

• New Business:
• A discussion on terminal services that would allow for off-campus access to certain software stored on a server.  A student could log in using a remote desktop and utilize different software applications (such as SAS, AutoCad, Photoshop, etc.) on their home computer without having to come to campus.  This may alleviate some of the issues that we are having with lack of teaching and computer lab space for students.  The discussion was tabled until each representative could take it to their respective colleges for discussion.  We also need more information on the cost of terminal services and how this cost would be shared across the departments, etc.
• Discussion was held on the Microsoft campus agreement for the college.  The College of Business already utilizes this agreement for Microsoft Office, but again, the cost of the license was discussed.  More information was needed as well as discussion with the respective departments to see if we want to pursue this.
• A tech fee increase of 5% for school year 2008-09 was discussed.  A 5% increase will bring the current fee of $74.42 to $78.14 for the next school year. 
• Budgets were discussed briefly.  Final figures have just been released from administration and have not been fully evaluated.  Discussion was held on preliminary numbers as well as what each department would have to spend if we voted to approve terminal services and the Microsoft Campus Agreement.  Further discussion was tabled until final numbers with and without terminal services and MCA could be calculated. 
• Purchasing was tabled until final numbers are in
• A continuing problem is a ‘have’ and ‘have nots’ situation.  Some departments have more room and money and are able to purchase almost anything.  Other departments have limited space and budgets that restrict the usage of their respective computer labs.  One thing that may alleviate this problem is the construction of the new Academic Instruction Building.  This will be directly south of Clark building (replacing the current parking lot).  There may be a way for the CAS to lobby for more space in Clark for the DARE grad student computer lab if some of the faculty/students will be moving to the AIB. 
• Discussion was held on the NESB room B112 upgrade/dismantling of Shep 122.  Since Shep 122 was taken off-line as a second undergrad computer/teaching lab, it appears that we are lacking in computer lab teaching space.  Some classes have to utilize Clark computer labs and graduate computer labs because there is no teaching lab space available.  Room B112 in NESB is a computer lab heavily used by Landscape Architecture students.  There is the possibility of using B112 as a teaching lab during times when LA is not using the room, but these occasions will be few.  The CFT recommends the conversion of Shep 204 into another small teaching/overflow computer lab to help alleviate the problem.  The CFT thought it would be a good idea and upon voting, the majority of students voted yes, that they would like to have the extra computer lab.

• Meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.