APPENDIX D
Letters of Support
April 22, 1997
From: Interim President Peter Flawn
The University of Texas at Austin appreciates very much the opportunity to respond to Intel's solicitation, "Utilization of Advanced Intel-Based Platforms in Computationally Demanding Tasks". The proposal we are submitting is entitled "Expanding the Digital Frontier: The Texas Alliance for Distributed Computing, Communication and Collaboration". Partnerships with long-time supporters such as Intel are essential if The University is to continue to be the leading research institution in the South and Southwest.
There is building momentum on this campus to move ahead in the use of information technology. The interdisciplinary activities of distributed computing, multimedia, advanced modeling and simulation, and enterprise integration, which are discussed in the proposal, are well-established and involve a significant number of faculty. In this research arena, leadership is provided by TICAM, The Texas Institute for Computational and Applied Mathematics, which brings together faculty in science, mathematics, engineering, and business under a common umbrella. The campus infrastructure provided by ACITS (Academic Computing and Instructional Technology Services) is growing along with faculty initiatives to enhance capabilities in computing and networking. I should note that the two Co-Principal Investigators of the proposal (Drs. Oden and Edgar) are the leaders of TICAM and ACITS, respectively. Last fall the University through ACITS established a new Center for Instructional Technologies, which is the germination point for our multimedia enterprises. The University attaches a high level of importance to the Intel cooperative project.
Since December, 1996, approximately 120 faculty and staff have been developing a comprehensive Long Range Plan for information technology. It will be completed this summer. Implementing the recommendations from this group will be high on my agenda as well as that of my successor. The University has conducted a national search for the new position of Associate Vice President for Academic Computing and Instructional Technology. This position will be filled early next month.
In the future we will increase our commitment to computing, communication, and collaboration, both inside UT-Austin and with our external partners. In this spirit, we look forward to working with Intel as The University of Texas moves into the 21st Century.