Minutes: April 3, 2020
Meeting called to order at 1:20pm.
Attendees
S Barnett, T Burkholder, L Casas, S Clapp, P Donahue, E Givens, D Hanford, S Hard, S Johnson, S Jones, M Kusaila, J Lee-Partridge, J Melnyk, C Menoche, K Meyer, K misraJ Nicoletti, G Singh, S Styruzula, K Trochsler, L Washko
Guests – A Kullgren, D Pierce, T Rivera, C Tower, K McLaughlin,
Approval of Minutes March 06, 2020 (Burkholder/Barnett) Passed unanimously.
IT Announcements
Much of the updated IT information can be found at: https://www.ccsu.edu/it/itorganization/ITUpdates.html
IT is working on ways for students to access specialized software. At the current time, certain software applications are available for SEST, SOB, and Geography. Also working on something for CLASS. The requests are going through the Dean and Dept chairs.
MFA has been extended to 14 days and password expiration is now 240 days.
Jabber, software that can emulate your office phone is available on CCSU issued computers. It will be available soon for non-CCSU computers. See ITUpdates page for more information.
WebEx training sessions through IT are no longer available but the video recording can be found on the ITUpdates page. Some training is available through the IDTRC.
Microsoft Teams training sessions have begun. Microsoft Bookings training sessions are done – video will be available shortly. Bookings is good for scheduling advising sessions with students.
Teams vs WebEx – Teams is easier and allows for video meetings just like WebEx. The Teams recordings are much quicker to process. WebEx is slightly more complicated and has occasional issues due to high usage.
Please be patient while we go through growing pains with WebEx, Kaltura, and Teams.
IDTRC AnnouncementsThere have been a few Kaltura Media Space issues recently. The issues have been resolved, for now. If you experience any issues, please email idtrcstaff@ccsu.edu.
Students and faculty having issues using Respondus Lockdown Browser. Students need to download and install the browser from a specialized link provided by instructor. Once installed, the student must run the application and can only access the test from that application. This only allows them to use Blackboard while taking a test. Lockdown Browser does not work on Chromebooks – working on this issue. Information can be found at www.ccsu.edu/idtrc – go to FAQ’s. Lots of information for faculty and students on these pages.
For IDTRC related questions, you can email: idtrcstaff@ccsu.edu. As a reminder, the IDTRC is currently understaffed. There have been numerous failed searches to replace Claude Abbott. They hired someone recently, who promptly left for a higher paying position.
Committee Updates
Learning Management System RFP
Tom Burkholder reported that due to the closing of campus, the process will continue into the summer. Next meeting is in June.
P&T Subcommittee
Tom Burkholder reported that due to the circumstances, everything will now be done online – not going back to paper. Paper manila folders will be replaced by electronic manila folders. Anyone who submitted by paper, prior to the campus closing, needs to resubmit online. There was an email about this from the Provost. For any questions contact Tom Burkholder or Louise Williams.
New Business
PT faculty are having trouble with using some of the technology. Some have older computes that will not run WebEx meetings. Faculty should be doing asynchronous teaching, if possible.
There is an equipment request form for faculty and staff on the ITUpdates page. Computers and limited accessories are available, no printers. Students can also request Chromebooks by emailing covidupdate@ccsu.edu.
ITUpdates page has a lot of information. This page is updated continuously.
If students are having issues connecting and using technology, they should contact the IT Help Desk directly.
Suggestions for improving IT services should be done through the Provide Feedback form found at the bottom of the Hot Topics list on the right on the www.ccsu.edu/it page.
The library has its virtual library services / resources page available at https://libguides.ccsu.edu/elibrary
Camtasia – CCSU has home-use personal licenses for FT faculty. FT faculty can use 2 copies, one for work and one for home. Faculty can get a license directly from TechSmith (Camtasia parent company). Also, a trial version of Snag-It, like Camtasia, is available for PT faculty (https://discover.techsmith.com/remote-techsmith/).
There was a question about a long-term strategy if this situation continues into the Fall semester. Amy Kullgren confirmed that IT is currently working on a plan, timetable, and budget.
Students can get 24/7 support directly from Blackboard. They can call the IT Help Desk and choose the Blackboard Support option.
Now that the campus is closed, there needs to be a push to go totally paperless for all forms – including Referrals, Changing Major, etc.
Course Evaluations – Tom Burkholder reported that AAUP is proposing to cancel student opinion surveys for the spring semester. The Faculty Senate will be discussing this on Monday, April 6. Faculty can survey their students on their own – using Select Survey or Microsoft Forms (part of O365 account). Some faculty are surveying students about how they are doing with totally online.
Charles Menoche would like to form an ad hoc committee that could meet once a week to discuss technology related issues. Email Charles if you are interested in being on this committee.
Adjourned: 2:54pm (Burkholder/Washko)