AITAP Meeting Minutes - Friday, September 26, 2003

Jed Schwendiman-Residence Life, Brian Miner-Admission, Michael Quiner-WCTS, Varga Fox-Financial Aid, Sarah Jones- Development, Kathy Yeager-Business Office, Brian Dohe-Conf. & Events, Ron Urban-Registrar, & Sherrie Kamara-WCTS

Agenda Summary

• Comparison of costs/benefits Microsoft Exchange Server vs. Corporate Time: Michael Quiner provided a handout with information on cost, questions and some of the features of Exchange Server. Some of the advantages he reviewed included using outlook to schedule, the ability to schedule meetings with others and check their calendars plus room availability. Some of the disadvantages included questions about Mac and UNIX users. The information sheet showed some of the associated costs of this program including equipment, software and training of WCTS staff and the entire campus. At this point it is something we can look at. We have not totally ruled it out. Suggestions for evaluation of Microsoft Exchange server were:
  • Polling the staff/faculty for interest
  • Polling some of our peer institutions on what they use and what they are looking into for the future.
• Viruses, Patches and Machine registration: Michael said we are trying to default all xp installations to default to the auto update which many machines do but you still need to install the updates. Walter asked about Microsoft vs. Unix, Michael said that would have huge implications and would be very cutting edge. One of the problems would be no central option for publishing flaws for updates. Walter complimented WCTS on the patch process. Registering computers is necessary to identify what the IP address is for each machine, and then when the system is scanned for patches we can notify the person they are not fully patched if we have the IP address. Jed suggested making the message much shorter regarding the need and process to register your computer.
• Equipment Allocation: Michael handed out a page with eq. allocations planned for the fall. And reminded people we are behind because of the virus situation. The following people had questions on the list, Financial aid, and Development.

  Upcoming:

• WCTS Priority List: Michael handed out a Fall project list for WCTS with priority ratings and fielded questions regarding questions, frustrations with project delays.
  • Varga added a request
  • Walter asked about report heading and the selection criteria showing on the query but not the report.

  Other:

• Regular meeting dates: The group decided the last Friday of the month at 1:30 would work for a meeting time.
• Downloading stuff onto computers: Michael cautioned users about downloading templates and other things onto your computers. You never know what the source is or what is programmed into these downloads. They may affect some of your other programs. He cautioned, "Be careful what you download".
• Representative from Human Resources: Varga will make sure Mary Luckstead is on the notification list for the next meeting.

  Next Meeting:

  Next meeting early December.