Priority

Central Systems & Network

Desktop Services

I. Ensure the provision of readily available, reliable and effective information resources in support of the educational mission of the college by

a. providing sufficient computers, software, library collections in all appropriate formats and multimedia facilities,

Combine Admin and Academic file/print servers into single multi-unit cluster for reliability. July 23

Purchase, receive, prepare, deliver computer equipment for new tenure-track faculty with startup funds. Ongoing. David, Marty, Jacob and AIAs.

Status July 21

Moved back to January because staff availability

Ongoing. All purchasing done for new tenure track faculty

Specify, install and implement new campus equipment database. June 16. Integrate with tracking process. August 6

Purchase or recycle, prepare, deliver computer equipment for new non-tenure-track faculty and new staff, with whatever funds (or equipment from recyclable stock) are available. Ongoing. David, Marty, Jacob and AIAs.

Status

Underway with remapping being planned

Ongoing. Need to improve communication re searches for new staff and faculty

Imaging server configuration and testing. Macintosh: Adam and Jacob; PC: Adam. ASAP.

Status

Macintosh access done. PC underway.

Shared list of all applications for images. All desktop staff. Ongoing (continuously updated).

Status

Ongoing and under constant refinement. Need to improve internal procedures for image building for PCs

Update CIT’s ‘software’ Web page. Determine responsibilities for routine updates. David, Geri and other CIT staff as appropriate. Ongoing.

Status

Updating underway. Need to assign ongoing update responsibilities

b. ensuring adequate reliability, staff support and accessibility for all of these,

Implement scanning of residence hall computers for worms, viruses and needed patches. July 30

Update Web pages for new faculty members (/cit/basics/newfaculty.html) and new staff members (/cit/basics/newstaff.html). Verify all information and make corrections and additions as necessary. David, by July 9.

Status

Equipment installed. Vendor on site 7/26

Done except for course folder links

New software (NetStorage) for accessing personal files over Web. July 30

Security: Adam locks for Geology iMacs. ASAP.

security system for Math/CS: tie in with Terry Gorman project. ASAP.

Status

Need Novell support for enabling software (iManager)

Geology hardware received

Math/CS awaits return of Gorman

Add authentication process to e-mail gateway so as to limit spam. July 23

Status

New box for gateway being set up. Expect completion August 6

Specify, install and implement server monitor software accessible to users. June 30. Create network status Web page. August 13

Status

Monitoring software installed.

c. providing sufficient network and facility capacity to deliver information services.

Specify, order and install new file storage capacity and back up in the storage area network. June 30

Linux/Unix labs. By mid-August, leaving testing time before classes begin.

*Linux lab rebuild: Barron

*Kuwata cluster/workstations rebuild: Barron

*Venn network rebuild: Barron

*Shoop lab: Mac BLAST server: Barron and Adam?

Status

New disks ordered and installed. Implement by July 30

Linux lab and Venn underway

Kwata rebuild done

Shoop: deadline August 20

Upgrade or install new servers and/or operating systems for mail gateway, financial aid, Web. July 23

Image labs. By mid-August, leaving testing time before classes begin. Adam.

*Geology: Macintoshes done

*Math/CS: Windows lab

*Physics: 2 labs

*Biology

*Psychology

*Chemistry: done

Status

Equipment in. Mail gateway underway. Need consult with Suelflow re Web servers

Geology Chemistry: done

Others OK for mid-August

Complete total wireless network coverage. August 13

SysPrep: Ability to create hardware agnostic images. Adam.

Status

Equipment all in. Configuration of res halls underway first. Academic buildings almost done(OlinRice)

Underway. Goal is to consolidate Windows desktop images

Install new network switches in 14 buildings or clusters. June 16

Reimage labs: 302, 304, 314 Humanities, Dupre Labs, Kirk Lab and Kagin lab [imaging means placing standard software configurations on all the computers]

Status

Most are installed, continuing in houses, Turck, Facilities Mgmt

302 done (but WPI problem

304 must await end of MITY

314 and others scheduled August.

II. Ensure that major technology choices are based on carefully weighed alternatives and are consistent with Macalester’s information technology mission by

a.   adopting services based on sanctioned standards and appropriate common practices within our community

Restructure network to support reorganized printing. Begin count of print jobs in computer labs. July 30

Devise and publish supported/unsupported software/hardware chart/list. Previous chart exists and could be updated: http://www.macalester.edu/~koralesky/support/. Barron, David and other CIT staff. By July 30.

Status

VLAN restructuring scheduled fall (except public labs)

Changing IP address for print counting software by July 30

Draft by July 30, review and confirmation by mid-August.

Install new firewall. August 8

Printer name structure change. Network staff have set the timeline, but docs must be completed first. Prepare docs for the change.. Prepare Web page with old name, new name, model number/type. Label printers during physical inventory. Bonnie, Marty, Franc. By end of August.

      Printer conversion site (i.e. MATHLJ-1 --> OlinRice_256...)

      Name change how-to

      Web page

      label printers

Status

Cisco Pix box installed. Implementation by August 13

Network staff will investigate Novell iPrint technology to possibly avoid manually reconfiguring all college owned computers

Update network documentation. June 18

OS X 10.x licensing. Investigate options for licensing most recent version of OS X for all Macintoshes in selected campus labs, permitting us to build one image per lab. David, Adam and Jacob, ASAP.

Status

Ongoing

Apple Assurance program offers prepaid upgrades and analysis is underway

b.   matching information service choices to the greatest needs of the Macalester community

Plan community input and understanding of firewall policies. Fall

Plan and prepare for Fall ResNet sweeps of residence halls. Preparations include scheduling, production of door hangars, and widespread coordination/communication with Hall Directors, parents, incoming students. Kakki Rawson and Jesse Harman, other CIT staff as needed. By mid-August.

Status

Planned meeting with student legislative body and academic dept heads, fall

Scheduling done, communication underway, letters to incoming students out.

User Education Committee. Finish up survey report by mid summer and continue work on the User Education Web page (ongoing). Committee members: Beth Hillemann, Ron Joslin, Jean Beccone, Patti Koehler, Pete Rogan, Jesse Harman.

Status

User satisfaction survey results completed and report is available

Continue to gather community feedback toward evaluating our current messaging/calendaring and course management software tool deployments. AIAs, Joel and other CIT staff.

Status

Internal process underway, plans for community consultation in fall underway

Purchase a license for Apple Remote Desktop 2, for use in Macintosh lab management. David, ASAP.

Status

Ordered June 30

Create network protection policies to implement in the firewall in consultation with students, faculty and staff. Fall.

Status

Planned for fall

Plan campus-wide discussions of course support software with Center for Scholarship and Teaching. August 30

Status

Planning meetings with CST underway

Begin identification of viable e-mail alternatives and community preferences. Fall.

Status

Plan firm recommendation by end October

c.   supporting positive engagement with external constituencies.

Plan meetings of the Information Services Advisory Board on Sept. 18 and Trustee Technology Committee on October 1.

Status

ERP plan targeted for September 10

Consult with Admissions and Advancement departments on priorities for Web programmer. August 30

Status

Planned for meetings July.

III. Promote the use of technology to increase the efficiency and quality of the college’s business, curricular and research activities by

a.   fostering use and understanding of appropriate information technology through training and consultative opportunities for all community members

Provide information for documentation of new file storage structure. July 30

Conduct search for temporary AIA-Humanities, currently open. We hope to make the hire by early August so that the temp can have some time to work alongside Michael and learn the ropes. David, Pete, Michael and faculty, by August 15.

Status

Deferred until January

Short list in hand

Provide information for documentation of new file access by Web. July 30

Collaborate on writing and revising outreach letters to students, parents and faculty, as well as other explanatory communications and documentation (such as formal CIT ‘docs,’ Bulletin postings, Web pages, etc.). What will people see? How will they be affected? Ongoing, by end of August. David, Joel, Bonnie and other staff as needed. Topics include:

      network registration

      server consolidation and structure

      wireless

      course folders

other visible, system-wide changes or additions

Status

Still target July 30

Letters to incoming students done. Others to be done as needed

Finish construction on Telecommunications Web page and prepare it for unveiling in new semester. Kelly, by mid-August.

Status

On target

Produce and edit all material for 2004 ‘Get Connected’ CD; secure permissions, send completed project to commercial firm for burning. Jacob and Bonnie, by July 16.

Status

Done!

Prepare for New Student Orientation. Bonnie and Beth Hillemann, by September 6

Status

Underway, on target

Update existing documentation/classes with specific emphasis on changing all references to the new server configuration. Bonnie and Jesse Mortenson, by August 30

Status

Deferred to January

Complete class materials for Microsoft Office 2004 (Macintosh) and begin writing documentation. Bonnie and Jesse Mortenson; classes by July 15. Docs will continue into fall.

Status

Done

For CIT/Library classes. Put together one-hour sessions on using our network (PC and Mac). Bonnie, by August 30

Status

On target

b.   continually assessing and improving administrative systems

Support user departments in evaluation of potential 3d party software for budgeting, student employment. August 30

Perform physical inventory check for all College-owned computers on campus. Verify ID numbers and locations against current inventory database. Marty, by July 30

Status

Underway

Done (in four days! By Toni Schrantz with student help using Marty’s methodology)

Upload Common App application data to CX

Status

Planning review underway

Rollout Impromptu Web Reports to Admissions officers

Status

Planning review underway

Other Admissions: correct AXT/SAT format, 4 new fields and reworked daa entry, "incomplete deny" status, rework scripts assigning Adm counselor to applicant

Status

Update the faculty contract reports per Provost's requests

Status

Create email option for direct deposits (vs. printing & mailing)

Status

Script and upload students and faculty to CBORD and security systems

Status

Evaluate Jenzabar portal and Employee data module (Staff CRM)

Status

Install 13 backlogged system modifications

Status

Integrate Wells Fargo credit card process to CX (nee CARS)

Status

Improve student application integration with Admissions module

Status

Install Jenzabar GUI interface (Jenzamate) after reliability testing

Status

Correct problems with system medications for Web access, in cooperation with Registrar

Status

Create student & faculty info system Web accounts for new students & new faculty

Status

Negotiate for new ERP server; schedule installation and data migration

Status

c.   partnering with faculty in support of the educational program and research.

Prepare for New Faculty Orientation. David and AIAs in collaboration with Library staff, by September 2

Status

On target

Instructional Technology Web site. Prepare/post/revise content as necessary (see http://www.macalester.edu/cit/instructionaltech/). David, Pete, Barron, Adam, Michael, Tom. Include info on projectors and poster printer. ASAP

Status

Draft available

Post ‘projector basics’ page for smart classrooms. Adam, by mid-August

Status

Done

Olin-Rice Departmental laptop update/cleanup. Adam, by September 1

Status

On target

Network R update (specialized statistics software): Adam, Ted. By September 1

Status

On target

Mathematica password/version update. ASAP.

      update network version: Ted, Adam.

            bulletin entry (SPSS too): Ted, Adam

Status

Mathematica done, others underway

Restart CST - AIA partnerships ? Tom, Pete, Barron, Michael. ASAP

Status

Scheduled for Jan’s return

IV. Create and maintain a governance process consistent with the oversight responsibilities of the Board and college administration by

a.   developing policy and practices that most effectively support the college’s strategic directions

Create policies and practices to respond to music and software copyright violations in consultation with Dean of Students staff. August 27

Status

Draft under review by Dean of Students staff

Promulgate data privacy policies previously reviewed. August 27

Status

Approved by the President

b.   ensuring the most effective match between Macalester’s information service goals and the resources available to accomplish them

Report on options for administrative system development, with costs. September 10

Devise and implement criteria for computers to be replaced. Joel, David and Barron, ongoing.

Status

On target

In process, meeting with academic dept chairs scheduled

Move test inventory data to Insite and determine if it will work for our new equipment inventory. Test pre-populating fields, flexibility, reporting capabilities. Geri, Marty, Ramón, David, Barb; ongoing

Status

Mapping of data underway

Explore the option of outsourcing support for students’ personally-owned computers to a local vendor, with an eye toward relieving a major stress point on the Help Desk. Extensive discussions, community involvement and RFPs may be needed. Jesse, Joel, David and other Desktop Services staff as needed

Status

Survey of frame of reference colleges done and consultation with Dean of Students staff underway.