MOTION: I move that the Faculty Council consider creating a new
Standing Committee of the General Faculty devoted to information
technology issues.
The primary function of a Faculty Council ITS Advisory Committee
would be to 1) allow faculty, staff, and students a mechanism for
providing input about which services are important and 2) to provide
ITS a mechanism to communicate changes and improvements to the campus
community. Communications of this type are essential in both improving
perceptions and the actual quality of service.
It is my belief that there are at least four general areas that
this committee could address that would have a direct impact on faculty,
staff, and students:
| 1. |
Email Services
| a. |
Examples of issues: The current limit on the size
of email attachments (5 MB) and a total capacity of 10
MB on email accounts that has not changed in many years
and results in bouncing of numerous emails, without notification
to the sender. Can this be increased? Are there other
improvements in services that would benefit users? |
|
| 2. |
Web Services
| a. |
Examples of issues: Is the current organization of
the UT Web site best serving the needs of students, staff,
faculty and visitors? Are there policy changes that could
improve the ability of users to find information or improve
general usability? |
|
| 3. |
Instructional Software
| a. |
Examples of issues: Is the existing software (Blackboard)
meeting the needs of users? Are there alternatives
that may be better? |
|
| 4. |
Security
| a. |
Example of issues: Is the existing multipassword system
(UTEID, Padlock etc.) effective? Are there new technologies
available (fingerprint, etc) that UT should be looking
towards in the future? |
|
A suggested function statement for the ITS Advisory Committee
would be as follows:
Function:
To advise in the development of policies and
procedures that affect information and technology services.
The suggested make-up of the committee would be similar to the
make-up of the existing Library Committee: one or more administrators;
eight-to-ten faculty members, two appointed by the Faculty Council;
two-to-three undergraduate students; two-to-three graduate students;
two staff.
RATIONALE: I believe that, with what is now widespread use of
information technology throughout the University, that there is
now a need for the creation of a new Type C Faculty Council Standing
Committee that would provide oversight and serve in an advisory
role to Information Technology Services.
This legislation was posted on the
Faculty Council Web site on January 20, 2005. Paper copies are available on request from
the Office of the General Faculty, FAC 22, F9500.
