Information technology, Georgia. University System of Georgia. Board of Regents. Office of Information and Instructional Technology

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January - February 1995: Volume 6, Number 3
Contents
z From the Vice Chancellor z Divisional Doings in 1994 - the Year in Review z Public Library Pilot Project Successful z Observations of a Rock Eagle Rookie z What's New on the OIIT Gopher z Publishing Information
From the Vice Chancellor
*** To streamline operations, the Board of Regents has reorganized its central office structure. According to Chancellor Stephen R. Portch, the new structure groups personnel more functionally around fewer vice chancellors while creating deeper levels of personnel. The new structure involves the creation of three divisions-Human and External Resources, Academic Affairs, and Capital Resources-each headed by a senior vice chancellor, one of which will also serve as deputy to the chancellor. The organizational and personnel changes have been published on the OIIT Gopher (gopher.peachnet.edu).
*** With the restructuring of the central office, the renamed Office of Information Technology will be known as the Office of Information and Instructional Technology (OIIT).
*** The Office of Information and Instructional Technology (OIIT) is phasing out the use of the UMass electronic mail system on the CYBER. The OIIT is prepared to provide an interim electronic mail service for units of the University System of Georgia which have no other alternatives for this service. Contact Beth Brigdon at GIST 2855678 or (706) 369-5678 or e-mail beth_brigdon@oit.peachnet.edu if you need this service or have any questions regarding the phase out of the CYBER.
*** The primary focus of this news bulletin is a retrospective of activities in 1994: OIT accomplishments, the University System Computing Conference (Rock Eagle), and the public library pilot project Expanding the Vision: Statewide Access through PeachNet.
J.B. Mathews, Vice Chancellor
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Divisional Doings in 1994: The Year in Review
The divisions of the Office of Information Technology, newly titled the Office of Information and Instructional Technology, have had a productive 1994. The following review highlights some of their accomplishments.

Academic Administration Systems (AAS) Dan Shealy, Director
Academic Administration Systems began installation of BANNER Student and Financial Aid systems at nine University System institutions on both the HP (Hewlett Packard) 9000 Series and IBM RS 6000 Series computers. AAS enhanced the BANNER Student System to provide for all additional Georgia requirements. In order to ease maintenance and upgrade efforts, these enhancements were completed without modification to the baseline software.
AAS established development and database standards to simplify access and use of consolidated University System data and developed an integrated, on- line help system using database links to provide University System BANNER users access to a consolidated database of known problems and solutions. Through a stand-alone facilities information module with BANNER look and feel, System institutions were able to preview BANNER functionality.
BANNER implementation projects will continue in 1995. AAS will be integrating Regents' reporting systems into the BANNER Student System and implementing voice response and electronic transcript processing.
AAS will also be exploring enhancement possibilities for automated transfer articulation among University System schools for core curriculum courses without standardized course numbering and common admissions processing. Anyone (public schools or libraries, e.g.) with access to PeachNet will be able to request information electronically from any University System school or apply for admission. Fifteen University System institutions implementing BANNER Student and Financial Aid will receive training.
In an effort to reduce duplication, a clearinghouse is being organized to compile reports, institutional enhancements, scripts, or other materials that work with the BANNER systems.
Academic Services and Distance Learning (ASDL) Kris Biesinger, Director
Academic Services and Distance Learning was instrumental in obtaining a donation from Microsoft of 12,000 software licenses for the Georgia Department of Education for teacher training and 12,000 licenses for the Georgia Board of Regents for student teacher training at colleges of education. ASDL also coordinated the following number of hours of training at its offices in Athens: Authorware Professional 40; BANNER 12; Internet 26; Macintosh 6; NovaNET 15; Oracle 224. Oracle was in greatest demand by University System administrators and computer personnel; 1995 will reflect a demand for BANNER training.
Distance learning projects have become realized throughout the system. At least one two-way interactive video (GSAMS) installation now exists at each System institution, except Gordon and Macon Colleges, which will receive installations later. In addition, installations have been placed at the Board of Regents office in Atlanta, the OIT office in Athens, and at six System off- campus centers.
Of the forty-six planned satellite sites, fourteen remain to be completed. Installation will be completed during winter quarter.
Administration and Planning (DAP) Randall Thursby, Assistant Vice
Chancellor for Information Technology
DAP developed guidelines allowing institutions to streamline microcomputer purchases by internal approval. All institutions have developed a plan, and so far twenty-eight plans have been approved.
The division played a major role in developing two of the Chancellor's initiatives: A Vision for One Statewide Library and Connecting Students and Services. DAP continued to update information and add resources to the University System Gopher. Also, the division enhanced the OIT's holdings of Systemwide software licenses and agency contracts, thus contributing to cost avoidance which benifits the entire System.
The annual University System Computing Conference popular with staff, faculty, and vendors drew seven hundred participants. Sixty-seven presentations covered academic, administrative, and technical applications. The keynote speech by Chancellor Stephen R. Portch, a proponent of information technology, was enthusiastically received.
Business and Finance Systems (BFS)

Fred Cooper, Director
1994 reflected the "Big Gulp" for Business and Finance Systems in financial applications and central office computing.
In FY94, BFS began converting the standard financial applications to the HP 9000, and at the end of 1994, fourteen sites were running on the HP 9000. BFS-developed and -supported software provides budget development and accounting management for funds exceeding $1 billion. BFS-supported software is producing approximately $500 million of payroll checks each year.
BFS assumed responsibility for operation of central office computing activities on July 1, 1994, and is in the process of developing a computing plan and upgrading equipment to provide the necessary computing environment for the Chancellor's staff. A new Oracle-based Property Inventory System has been developed and is in operation at one institution.
In 1995, BFS will be developing a disaster recovery contingency plan for the standard financial systems.
Technology Support Services (TSS) Beth Brigdon, Director
As the name denotes, the Division of Technology Support Services has provided support for a number of OIT projects in the past year. In addition to having worked with the Division of Telecommunications and Networking to install workstation software, TSS has provided user training at the new PeachNet sites.
The division assisted BFS with conversion of TI 1500 to HP 9000 by providing an operating system release for HP/UX and supported the Division of Public Library Services (DPLS)/OIT distance learning project, which provides Internet access to high schools, elementary schools, and public libraries. TSS coordinated on-site installation of Macintosh equipment and provided support of phone and e-mail for DPLS user support staff.
The division has implemented a CSO phone book for use in the University System and has provided Novell and desktop workstation networking support.
Telecommunications and Networking (DTN) Jerry Segers, Director
The Division of Telecommunications and Networking developed the system specifications and installed the hardware for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine-funded library project Expanding the Vision: Statewide Access through PeachNet. PeachNet Branches (56 Kbps dedicated connections) were installed at five regional libraries, one K-12 site, the Department of Education (DOE) and DPLS in Atlanta. One additional library and middle school received the PeachNet Twig (14.4 Kbps switched service).
With connection to PeachNet, the sites have access to library catalogs and electronic information databases, search tools and e-mail, and access to worldwide information resources through the Internet. Teachers, students, and librarians are not the only beneficiaries of the project. With the recent addition of dial-up facilities at the branch locations, PeachNet is just a telephone call away for any Georgia resident within those dialing areas.
Later in the year the OIT added eleven new sites to the PeachNet community, including a number of private schools and colleges. DTN installed the PeachNet equipment and provided introductory training to the technical representatives in equipment operation and troubleshooting.
In addition to University System institutions, private post-secondary institutions, and high schools which were previously connected, these PeachNet sites were added in 1994:
z Chattooga County Library, Summerville z Hancock Library, Cairo z Cartersville-Bartow County Library, Cartersville z Adairsville San-Souci Library, Adairsville z Roddenbery Memorial Library, Cairo z Jenkins County High School and Middle School, Millen z Ocmulgee Regional Library, Eastman

z Screven-Jenkins Regional Library, Sylvania z Georgia Department of Education, Atlanta z Georgia Department of Library Services, Atlanta z Georgia Military College, Milledgeville z Cartersville High School, Cartersville z Lovett School, Atlanta z Paine College, Augusta z Berry College, Mt. Berry z Brenau College, Gainesville z Life College, Marietta z DeKalb County School System, Decatur z Georgia Student Finance Commission, Tucker z State Department of Transportation, Atlanta z The Federal Highway Administration, Atlanta
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Public Library Pilot Project Successful
Expanding the Vision: Statewide Access through PeachNet is one of fourteen projects funded by the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act. During 1994, this project, a collaboration between the Division of Public Library Services and the Office of Information Technology, extended PeachNet access to five public library systems and three schools in the state.
Three primary goals of the project were to provide public libraries access to electronic databases, periodical subscription services, and search tools and other services which would improve their functionality and reduce operating costs; to enhance the services offered to the community; and to establish a gateway to worldwide information resources for educational systems in each county.
All of the sites have had successes and failures, but have learned valuable lessons about what may or may not work in a statewide roll-out. The major need has been for on-going training and support services. Dial-in access has been frustrating and demanding because users expect much more support than the library can reasonably accommodate. Sometimes, patrons have expected library staff to diagnose problems with home computers and modems.
The greater news, however, is the good news. During the short time that this pilot has been operational, it has generated an immense amount of interest among the public library community and Georgia citizens. Patrons served by the pilot libraries have been quick to take advantage of the new services available. The project has taken off much faster than anticipated, and several libraries have added extra workstations at their own expense because of demand. Several have had to limit the time individuals can spend on the library's workstations because of persons waiting to use the machines.
To address this problem, a document has been developed which summarizes the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act, appropriate use of and access to PeachNet, and user responsibilities. All of the pilots have found this document sufficient for their needs although an information sheet was produced to address some of the problems which occur with e-mail accounts.
An important part of Expanding the Vision has been to provide access to the OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) FirstSearch databases. FirstSearch has been successful and has added a powerful information tool which has opened up a whole new world of materials to the pilot libraries.
Some of the advantages of this type of access have been in providing a comprehensive base of information and resources otherwise not affordable at the local level in a rural, economically disadvantaged area, as well as a speedy, relatively friendly and confidential form of searching and retrieving information. Reference searches for narrow and very specific information have been successful and productive, and staff have discovered that Internet resources might supply answers to the kinds of questions previously outside the capacity of the library collection.
Dial-in access has met with nothing but positive response, whether used for school work, general interest, e-mail,

or business information. Everyone seems to be talking about the project, and word has spread to surrounding counties that Internet access is coming via the public library. Business users have indicated a strong interest in further training, and they are prepared to pay for an expert presenter. At one library a patron wanted to bring in a cot and spend the night. Another patron was involved in a class action suit against the companies making her silicon breast implant and found several relevant articles for her lawyer.
All of the pilots have offered to serve as mentors for new libraries and media centers who begin using PeachNet. Most of the pilots have held classes on using the Internet and, specifically, the PeachNet workstations. The pilots have found that users were willing to help other users navigate the Internet, and those people in the community with previous computer experience have been willing to step forward to help. Users at one of the pilots are forming their own support group.
The excitement and enthusiasm for the pilots testify to the success of this project. As one librarian phrased it, "We will do everything in our power to continue this access once the pilot is over." The project is serving the purpose for which it was intended: students and library patrons are accessing information previously unavailable to them, the libraries are learning the value of the Internet in a library/school setting, and a framework is being laid for future expansion.
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Observations of a Rock Eagle Rookie
by Brad Bacon, OIIT
The annual University System Computing Conference at Rock Eagle has attained a somewhat legendary status. Before the conference, I had heard stories of late nights spent around campfires, with old ballads floating in the cold night air. I laughed at the tales of the mythical luck enjoyed by a certain Assistant Vice Chancellor during the door prize drawings. So I waited, expectant, to see how torturous the cabins would be. The day of the conference arrived.
The first day was organized confusion. Registration, never an easy task to coordinate, somehow seemed to go smoothly. The technical people did their part incredibly well. I was amazed to find that the entire camp was to be networked, with a central location for presenters to set up and test their equipment. The e-mail room seemed a particular stroke of brilliance. I know that attendees appreciated being able to return to work without dozens of unread messages clogging their desktops.
The lodging was interesting. I was reminded of younger, more carefree days before even caring if I had a pillow to sleep on. Such primitive conditions evoke a certain camaraderie-it's a lot easier to make friends in a bush setting than in plush hotel rooms infested with phones and TVs. Speaking of infested. . .
The food was food. When eaten, it made one less hungry. The cafeteria brought back more memories, memories of the high school lunchroom, replete with molded plastic trays and "return it yourself" necessity. The only things missing were corn dogs and the food fight.
The sessions were an impressive mixture of technical and educational presentations, all very informative. The OIT sharing session was particularly illuminating, as I got my first glimpse of bivouacked veterans and the Rock Eagle wildlife.
What can one say about the vendor area? A wonderful mix of good talk and solid information. Wandering around the room, I felt somewhat guilty at my preoccupation with the next freebie. I did learn a lot and did meet some interesting characters.
Entertainment was not forgotten. The comedian was hilarious; he provided an hour of lively, (mostly) clean fun. The nights around the campfire were relaxing-a pleasant way to wind down with a little acoustic music provided by OIT's Danny Dills and Apple's Steve Van Brackle.
All-in-all, the conference was a resounding success. Having experienced new technology, seen the future of PeachNet, and met lots of interesting people, I look forward to next year, when I will be a rookie no more.
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What's New on the OIIT Gopher
The Board of Regents (Central Office Information) directory has been renamed, simply, Board of Regents. The Board of Regents directory is in the University System Information directory.
The Academic Affairs Handbook, Bylaws, Core Curriculum Handbook, Degrees and Majors Approved, and Policy Manual directories have been updated to include full text versions for FTP. The directories can be found in the University System Information/Board of Regents directory.
Two new documents from the Board of Regents, A Vision for the University System of Georgia and Guiding Principles for Strategic Action, have been added to the University System of Georgia Gopher. The documents are in the University System Information/Board of Regents directory.
The Board of Regents OIIT updated Technology Standards and Recommendations is located in the University System Information/Office of Information and Instructional Technology/General Information directory.
We encourage comments and suggestions; reply to gopher@gopher.peachnet.edu or contact Jayne Williams (GIST 364-5764 or 912/681-5764).
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Publishing Information
Information Technology, The Office of Information and Instructional Technology (OIIT) News Bulletin, is published by the Board of Regents, Office of Information and Instructional Technology, 244 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334. Suggestions and contributions are solicited. Unless otherwise stated, permission to reprint articles in whole or in part is granted provided appropriate credit is given.
z Editor: Jayne Williams z Office: Georgia Southern University z E-mail: jayne_williams@oit.peachnet.edu
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