Minutes from TCT Meeting:
Wednesday, October 20, 2004, 12:45P-1:45P

Members Present:
John Chavez, Chrystle Hall, Kurt Hill, Mary Lou Mosley, Jim Patterson, Rick Sheets, Jon Storslee, Casey Durandet

Issues/items discussed:

1) Ocotillo - Reports/Status:
As always, continue to visit the 4 Action Groups web site on a frequent basis.

http://graphite.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/ocotillo/

Jim reported that the virtual meeting he was to have held has been postponed due to the time overlap with the Gina Kranitz memorial dedication. Melissa Pederson from Horizon Wimba will demonstrate interactive tools. Horizon Wimba develops web-based collaboration software for online distance education, language learning and live interactive communications. Jim will let us know when the virtual meeting will occur.

2) SPT & PBRC Reports:
Jon reported that the SPT has come up with a new vision plan.

PBRC - Budget requests are due this Friday, October 22, 2004. Larry Fields sent out a reminder e-mail this morning. He also stated, "However, the APB System will remain open through the weekend of October 23rd to give a little extra time and will be closed effective 9:00 am Monday, October 25th."

3) Wireless - TOP Sub-Committee Report:
Jon (and Cathy - her report given to me via phone this morning since she was unable to attend today's meeting due to a conflict with another meeting) reported that the wireless grant proposal will be educational and community related. We'll get the Maricopa County library next door, the hospital, and local high schools in PVCC's wireless umbrella. WiFi Max has a radius of 30 miles.

There will be a matching from PVCC. The matching formula is dependent on whether or not the bond passes. PVCC has requested $500,000 to go to network infrastructure upgrade. That could be counted as the matching portion.

We will discuss the Wireless - TOP grant application at our next meeting, after the bond election results are in.

4) Media Services - Digital/Video Broadcasting Proposal - Update/Status:
This item has been tabled for our next meeting since Cathy was at another meeting today.

5) EASIS Demonstration:
The new Student Information System goes into effect July 2005.

That majority of our meeting was devoted to a demonstration of the Early Access Student Information System database. Chrystle Hall did a wonderful job of presenting.

The web page is located at
http://www.maricopa.edu/nss

The EASIS database has been established to view available system functionality by our earliest new system users. Those who are currently using SIS are encouraged to register and try out the EASIS.

The EASIS is a copy of the System Setup and Design (SSD) database, currently being built by the SIS Project Team, and it will be refreshed every two weeks, which will eliminate any student transaction information entered and will allow access to new functionality as it becomes available.

In order to receive a username and password, one has to complete the FERPA tutorial, complete the Security Statement (handout given to us during the meeting) (give the hard copy to Shirley Green and fax a copy to Barbara Matus, x1-8850). It will take about a week to process. If you have not heard anything within a week, please e-mail Cathy Hart regarding your registration status.

Chrystle took us through a myriad of EASIS links. She discussed the robo-demonstrations available to us online. She simulated an actual use of EASIS, such as looking up a student's record. There were many questions for Chrystle, which she will look into and let us know the respective answers. (Since I was "mesmerized" by the demonstration, I may not have jotted down everyone's questions. If I missed yours, please reply-all with your questions.)

Questions for Chrystle:

a) Will everyone have to learn how to use SIS, i.e., if there are those who want the hard copy versions of their rosters, do they still have to learn the new SIS?
b) When will the training begin for the general public, and how long will each session last?
c) Since the system goes live July 2005, can the 2nd summer session grades be put on the new system, or will they remain on the old?
d) In regards to the FERPA tutorial - does everyone have to take it even if they're not submitting grades, e.g., administration personnel?
e) When using EASIS, are the data in there "simulated" data, or are they based on real student information?
f) When registering for EASIS, is it safe to send the UN and PWD via e-mail? Is there another method of disseminating that private information? How does the PAT tool work for EASIS userid?
g) Will one be able to write (add information) to a student's data, or is it read-only? Who has the authority to write to the student database system?
h) When demonstrating the student "Address History," Rick pointed out that the oldest address for the student was listed first. Is there a way that the most recent address information be shown first?
i) Will students be able to access the New Student Information System database to change their academic related information?
j) Other questions I may have missed?...

The next TCT meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 12:45P-1:45P in the G-conference room (G126).

This "Meeting Report" is my interpretation of what occurred during this meeting. If you would like to correct an error(s), make an addition(s), or have any questions, please call me at 7-6651 or e-mail me.

Thank you!

Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Recorder: Casey Durandet
--
Casey Durandet, Ph.D.
PVCC - Physics Department
602-787-6651
http://www2.pvc.maricopa.edu/ms/phy