Macalester College

Computing and Information Technology Department

Summer Projects Status Report, August 18 2004

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	Moved back to January 2005 due to staff availability.	All purchasing complete, deliveries underway.
	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 inter-departmental communication re: searches for new staff and faculty.
		Imaging server configuration and testing. Macintosh: Adam and Jacob; PC: Adam. ASAP.
Status		Macintosh access complete, PC in progress.
		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 building PC images.
		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	Underway; completion expected by August 31.	Done except for course folder links (awaiting creation by Network staff).
	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	Postponed until January 2005 (part of server consolidation).	Geology: done. Math/CS & Gorman project: underway.
	Add authentication process to e-mail gateway so as to limit spam. July 23
Status	Suspended, pending resolution of problems with gateway e-mail server.
	Specify, install and implement server monitor software accessible to users. June 30. Create network status Web page. August 13
Status	Monitoring software installed; user interface currently being constructed.
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	Done.	Linux lab rebuild: done. Kuwata rebuild: done. Venn network rebuild: underway. Shoop lab/Mac BLAST serer: awaiting delivery of equipment.
	Upgrade or install new servers and/or operating systems for mail gateway, financial aid, Web, others. 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	Underway.	Geology: done. Math/CS Windows lab: done. Physics: 2 labs, both in process. Biology: in process. Psychology: done. Chemistry: done.
	Complete total wireless network coverage. August 13	Sysprep: Ability to create hardware agnostic images. Adam.
Status	Residence halls completed; academic buildings underway. Some areas may not be complete until mid-semester.	Begun.
	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	Done.	All Humanities labs done. Others in process.
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	Print accounting in public labs expected by beginning of classes.	Underway.
	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		Underway. Some aspects of this conversion will continue into the Fall semester.
	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.	Figures submitted and requisition prepared, awaiting identification of funding source.
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	Ongoing.	Planning and preparation nearly complete.
		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		Desktop Services participation done.
		Continue to gather community feedback toward evaluating our current messaging/calendaring and course management software tool deployments. AIAs, Joel and other CIT staff.
Status		Underway, including limited testing of one open-source CMS product.
		Purchase a license for Apple Remote Desktop 2, for use in Macintosh lab management. David, ASAP.
Status		Done, as of June 30.
	Create network protection policies to implement in the firewall in consultation with students, faculty and staff. Fall.
Status	Underway, with third drafts circulating.
			Plan campus-wide discussions of course support software with Center for Scholarship and Teaching. August 30
Status
	Begin identification of viable e-mail alternatives and community preferences. Fall.
Status	Underway.
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
	Consult with Admissions and Advancement departments on priorities for Web programmer. August 30
Status
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	Postponed until January 2005 (part of server consolidation).	Done. Michael Rose Lewis was hired August 11, began work August 16.
	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	Postponed until January 2005 (part of server consolidation).	Substantially done, awaiting content from Network staff.
		Finish construction on Telecommunications Web page and prepare it for unveiling in new semester. Kelly, by mid-August.
Status		Underway.
		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. Finished CDs were delivered to campus August 10.
		Prepare for New Student Orientation. Bonnie and Beth Hillemann, by September 6
Status
		Update existing documentation/classes with specific emphasis on changing all references to the new server configuration. Bonnie and Jesse Mortenson, by August 30
Status		On hold pending server consolidation (postponed until January 2005).
		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		Substantially done.
		For CIT/Library classes. Put together one-hour sessions on using our network (PC and Mac). Bonnie, by August 30
Status		Underway.
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; demo under construction.	Physical inventory complete July 15. Verification against current inventory database underway.
	Upload Common App application data to CX
Status	Underway.
	Rollout Impromptu Web Reports to Admissions officers
Status	Postponed due to problems with Informix database; on hold pending Informix resolution.
	Other Admissions: correct AXT/SAT format, 4 new fields and reworked daa entry, "incomplete deny" status, rework scripts assigning Adm counselor to applicant
Status	Underway.
	Update the faculty contract reports per Provost's requests
Status	Done.
	Create e-mail option for direct deposits (vs. printing & mailing)
Status	Underway.
	Script and upload students and faculty to CBORD and security systems
Status
	Evaluate Jenzabar portal and Employee data module (Staff CRM)
Status	Postponed due to problems with Informix database; on hold pending Informix resolution.
	Install 13 backlogged system modifications
Status	In progress; 7 already installed.
	Integrate Wells Fargo credit card process to CX (née CARS)
Status	Underway.
	Improve student application integration with Admissions module
Status	In progress.
	Install Jenzabar GUI interface (Jenzamate) after reliability testing
Status	Currently being tested.
	Correct problems with system medications for Web access, in cooperation with Registrar
Status	Postponed, pending Registrar approval.
	Create student & faculty info system Web accounts for new students & new faculty
Status	Done.
	Negotiate for new ERP server; schedule installation and data migration
Status	Under ongoing discussion.
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		Substantially complete as of August 17.
		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		Underway.
		Post ‘projector basics’ page for smart classrooms. Adam, by mid-August
Status		Done.
		Olin-Rice Departmental laptop update/cleanup. Adam, by September 1
Status		Begun.
		Network R update (specialized statistics software): Adam, Ted. By September 1
Status		Done.
		Mathematica password/version update. ASAP. update network version: Ted, Adam. bulletin entry (SPSS too): Ted, Adam
Status		Both done.
		Restart CST - AIA partnerships – Tom, Pete, Barron, Michael. ASAP
Status		Meeting with CST director Jan Serie scheduled for August 23.
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	Underway, with third drafts circulating.
	Promulgate data privacy policies previously reviewed. August 27
Status	In progress.
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	In progress.	In progress.
		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		Underway, with Joan Cleereman working on prototype.
		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		Initial reviews of vendor data complete.

July 9, 2004

first update: July 21

second update: August 18