Agenda

Notes

Action

Status

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the meeting on 24th January 2003 were approved.

Matters arising

Student login monitoring

EK and SB had investigated but had no opportunity to progress yet.  It was felt important to know whether the number of student logins was rising or falling, and how many were using machines in different buildings. The raw data is available, but a tool to analyse it needs to be constructed. EK agreed to propose this as an MSc project idea.

EK

Terms of reference

A third draft which incorporated changes proposed by ECAM to make this committee responsible for admin computers was approved on 4 March by ECAM.  This can be seen on the website.

Extenuating circumstances

ISO can provide data on network down times and departments should request this information for UABs.

Progress of requests

JSB agreed to make his records about requests and orders available on the website.

JSB

Strategy

RT to organise a meeting to discuss.  Overall university computer strategy to be reviewed shortly.  It was thought that the number of general labs could be less and more specialised labs provided to take into account teaching and learning strategy and the Faculty’s general strategy.  Flexibility is needed and equipment should be tied mainly to what large groups of students require.  Project students could do better projects if specialist equipment was available – funds used to be available for project students to apply for, to get the software they need.  The strategy should guide spending for 2-3 years and may lead curriculum development as teaching can only be done on equipment provided.  RT to have a strategy written down by next meeting.

RT

Capital expenditure plans

JSB reported that the budget was £200,000 at the start of the year and there is approximately £175k remaining.  There is a possibility of £30k more related to a PC architecture lab but this might be considered wasteful as computers will be available from Mercantile House later in the year. 

The Committee received 26 bids for equipment and software totalling approximately £350k. The bids were discussed. A total of 21 bids for £312k were accepted and prioritised.

JSB agreed to discuss this with ECAM with a view to obtaining funds to support all or most of the prioritised bids.

JSB

Any other business

Cheryl Johnson was welcomed to the committee as Admin representative.

Date of next meeting

Middle of next term (precise date to be fixed)