CCFIT > Discussion Topics > Reports from Campus Constituents

Reports from Campus Constituents

Academic Senate

11/08/04: Caroline Bledsoe introduced Dan Simmons, new Chair of the Academic Senate. Chair Bledsoe pointed out that strong connections with the Academic Senate are important to the success of CCFIT; they will provide an effective mechanism for ensuring faculty input into major technology-related topics and decisions. Those connections already exist in the form of Academic Senate appointments to CCFIT; however, there was general agreement that those connections could and should be strengthened. Dan Simmons sought feedback from Council members about whether the Academic Senate should constitute its own IT subcommittee or continue to work in a more official way through the faculty subgroup of the CCFIT. Jim Chalfant, Academic Senate Executive Committee member and vice-chair of CCFIT, agreed to collect input from Council members and to submit recommendations to Simmons. Those recommendations will cover topics such as how to strengthen CCFIT-Academic Senate connections as well as how to improve the Academic Senate Web site, assess server needs, and tackle such issues as academic freedom and the availability of research resources to UC Davis faculty.

• John Bruno, Vice Provost for Information and Educational Technology, pointed out that a number of projects identified by deans and vice chancellors through the campus IT planning effort will have some implications for faculty. He cited the Faculty Merit and Promotion (FMP) Project as well as the Electronic Research Administration (ERA) Project as two examples of projects that will require (and benefit from) faculty input, including during their pilot phase. In addition, Dr. Bruno invited faculty suggestions on how to flesh out the Teaching and Learning Tools Project in the current iteration of the UC Davis List of IT Projects (see http://itstrategicplan.ucdavis.edu).
• Dan Simmons indicated that both the FMP and ERA projects are of particular interest to various Academic Senate standing committees and reiterated the need to settle on a mechanism for seeking Academic Senate input (i.e., by working through these standing committees or through the CCFIT, or a combination of both). Simmons added two other projects to the list of potential discussion topics for CCFIT members: The course approval system already being refined by the Offices of the Provost and Chancellor, and the MySenate portal being developed in collaboration with UC Santa Barbara.
• John Bruno reminded the group that this quarter marks the first term when all instructors will be required to submit their students' final grades electronically. Dr. Bruno expressed concern regarding the extent to which the news was reaching faculty and their support staff. (Note: see http://classes.ucdavis.edu/grading for more information about this requirement.)

Graduate Students

12/13/04: Julia Silvis, Graduate Student Association representative, reported on information technology topics of interest to graduate students. These topics were identified during the GSA November meeting (see Graduate Students' IT Suggestions). Among the topics mentioned were: spam filtering; improving access to software (including shareware) and hardware; being able to conduct course evaluations online; developing an interactive campus events calendar; making lectures available online; providing more flexibility with the Grade Book tool in MyUCDavis; and expanding wireless coverage.

Undergraduate Students

01/12/05: Adam Barr, ASUCD representative, reported on information technology topics of interest to undergraduate students. Adam surveyed 770 students regarding information technology topics receiving back 50 responses. These topics were identified during the ASUCD Senate December meeting (see Undergraduate Students' IT Suggestions). Among the topics mentioned were: wireless.

Academic Federation

02/14/05: Ken Firestein reported on IT topics of interest to the Federation faculty. 1) Campus clearing house for seminar announcements, 2) cleaning up Academic Federation website and shortening the url, 3) comprehensive calendar of what's happening on campus (e.g. Mondavi Center events, departmental lectures/seminars, etc.) 4) Blog software and Wiiki software on campus, and 5) periodic access to large mailing lists on campus. Ken will be following up with an email to CCFIT with a more detailed list from the Federation.

AdMan

02/14/05: See AdMan Five Information Technology Priorities