IHETS Management Committee

March 18, 2003

IHETS Board Room

Present:

Wayne Bohm, University of Southern Indiana (audio)
Greg Fawcett, Independent Colleges of Indiana
Michael Gay, Purdue University
Vernon Houchins, Vincennes University
Lou Jensen, Indiana State University
William Kramer, Ivy Tech State College (Chair, Management Committee)
Steve Mayo, Purdue University
Fred Nay, Ball State University (audio)
David Ross, Morgan County Public Library
Robert Ruble, University of Southern Indiana (audio)
O’Neal Smitherman, Ball State University (audio)
Dick Tully, Ivy Tech State College
Brian Voss, Indiana University Bloomington (audio)

Staff:

Carol Brunty, Tim Fisher, George Jensen, Dave King, Richard Miles, Tim Ping, Susan Scott, Lori Seng, Kevin Siminski, Ed Tully, Lynn Ward

Chairman Kramer called the meeting to order at 10:06am. Introductions were made.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Houchins moved that the minutes from the February 7 and January 21 meetings be approved. Jensen seconded the motion and they were unanimously approved, as written.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Chairman Kramer discussed recent articles in the Indianapolis Star that focused on the state of the economy in Indiana. A special report, entitled The State of Decline, details how Indiana’s economy continues to falter. The report can be found at www.indystar.com . Kramer mentioned that the articles clearly addressed the complacency and unwillingness to change by the citizenry; also, the articles were critical of the leaders for not leading in a more progressive way.

King reviewed the highlights from the presentation during the previous meeting. He discussed Senate Bill 233 (SB233) requesting funding for I-light2, and gave an update on the current state of the bill. It was passed by Committee, with a 9-1 vote, but it didn’t get a hearing with the Senate Finance Committee. SB233 is now dead, as SB233, but the concept remains on the agenda. Kramer mentioned that he wouldn’t be surprised if the articles in the Indianapolis Star didn’t help this along.

PENDING ISSUES

2003-04 Budget Development Overview

King reported that budget details are being pulled together. He decided not to ask staff to look at a 5 percent budget cut yet, and we’ll see as we go along. Some of the guiding things to look at include reallocation and refocusing resources.

King asked for direction on a potential situation. If a 0 percent increase was received and we still wanted to provide a 3 percent staff salary increase. He asked that everyone consider what it would take to provide this increase to staff.

The budget needs to be approved on May 20. There is the possibility that the schedule will be received from IU before May 20. If this happens, a conference call will be scheduled; but the May 20 meeting is still scheduled. King mentioned that email updates will be provided as important items arise.

King and Kramer both mentioned that we’re not the only ones in this situation (difficult finances). Kramer stated that everyone will handle it differently. The 3 percent notion is a good number to think about, but it’s not worth a lot of time to work through the numbers until we know more. King reported that we’re not currently taking into consideration the 1/12 cut from last year.

Integrated Video Task Force Report

King reported that while no staff has been officially invited to meetings at member institutions, there are informational meetings being held.

King stated that decisions need to be made on migrating over the next three years.

Jensen moved the option to migrate to streaming video in three years. He reported that ISU had a meeting, but this had not been addressed with the faculty. Nay met with the Dean of Continuing Education (BSU). He reported that they are trying to be aggressive this summer and would like to phase in 32 sites within a year.

The motion on the table was seconded by Smitherman. It was passed unanimously.

Kramer thanked Dr. Jensen and the committee, including Fred Nay, Bob Jefferson, and Michael Gay (representing the ITC), and Joetta Burrous, Melissa Hughes, and Karen Bonnell (representing the IPSE) for addressing this subject and for making the recommendation. Jensen thanked the IHETS staff for their work.

King revisited Nay’s example at BSU. King asked that everyone consider what was said. There are three years left on the satellite contracts, but if everyone leaves tomorrow, there would be budget issues. King would like to work with member institutions to develop a migration plan. Moving courses from satellite to streaming is the first step in building the desired streaming service. King recommended the ITC bring back individual campus migration plans that can be integrated into an overall migration plan. King then asked that everyone listen for feedback that starts off as, “when IHETS goes away.” We need to reassure everyone that IHETS is not going away; we need to break away from the perception of just satellite.

Ross asked what role the libraries could play, as new players in IHETS. He suggested that everybody think about libraries as they deploy services.

King said that he recently received a call about that same concern. King recommended that everyone look for opportunities like this. They allow flexibility for the interaction of learning opportunities and location.

Jensen inquired about the inclusion of the Partnership for Statewide Education. King agreed that the group include IPSE to help with the transition. ITC is to bring the Partnership to the table.

Jensen reported a new CIO at ISU, Dr. Ed Kinley.

King renewed his offer, to those with concerns, to discuss and reassure them. Visits and possible demo steaming is available, if interested.

Indiana Learning Portal Project Review

King reported that significant progress is being made on the Portal Project. During an overview of the project, King discussed the relationship between the IHETS mission and the project.

Indiana Learning Portal Partners were reviewed. Partnerships include: Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS); Indiana College Network (ICN); Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC); Indiana State Library; Academic Libraries of Indiana; Indiana Cooperative Library Services (INCOLSA); Indiana Humanities Council; Indiana Web Academy; Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service; WFYI Indianapolis/IPBS; Indiana Department of Education.

What exactly the Portal is and how it fits into the IHETS mission were discussed by King. It is a web-based learning portal that provides access to a full spectrum of learning and collaboration opportunities from preschool through formal education and into lifelong learning.

King discussed the purpose and the goal of the Portal. The purpose is to help people find what they want. It’s important that we don’t homogenize what’s inside. Everyone comes to the table with their own brand. King said that the goal is to provide a foundation for an improved “culture of learning.” The success of the portal is measured by when people use it over time.

King gave a report on the current status of the project.

In the start-up of the project, the partners went to the Lilly Endowment. The Endowment agreed to match dollar for dollar what the Partnership donated, up to $125,000.

The Indiana Humanities Council is the fiscal agent; this allows the partners to focus on making this work. An RFP was sent out for a project manager. After 19 proposals were received, the field was narrowed down to two, and Haverstick Consulting was chosen.

This is a multi-segment project; with the needs assessment segment recently being completed. More than 24 focus groups and meetings were held; 160 responses were formed. King reported that we are not at the point for steps 3 and 4, which will be completed simultaneously.

There are four segments of the Learner Life Cycle within the portal. These segments are: preschool, K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning.

King also discussed the 11 functions of the portal. These include: user profiles, personalization, search, collaboration, learning tools, application integration, eCommerce, security, content management, administration, and other.

The life cycles and the functions are being cross-referenced in a prototype. This will be an html-based space that can demonstrate how anyone in one of the four life cycles can use and demonstrate the functions.

Expectations are that different areas can be connects across the life cycles. If this can be addressed, there can be significant value and return in investments.

In regards to the funding coalition, it depends on whom you are talking with. There are ongoing discussions with Lilly; initial contacts with Lumina; and there is the possibility of partners and requesting funds within a year from the National Science Foundation. We hope to be competitive in a year from now.

Ross added that it would be in everyone’s best interest to fund, and keep funded, Inspire, the virtual library.

King said there is a possible national prototype with USDoE. He will be meeting with John Bailey, Technology Director, US DoE, to broach this idea.

Fawcett asked how all of this fits together with the Possibility Network.

King reported that the Possibility Network has their niche. They are a part of the plan, and they provide a service.

King went on to discuss real time needs assessment and the value of these responses.

While there are significant issues about using profile builders (privacy issues), there are ways of dealing with this. These issues can be addressed in a proactive fashion, with huge opportunities for partners.

King asked that those involved distribute this information to those involved at their institutions. There will be a portal meeting on April 8.

After a packet of information was distributed to those present, King mentioned that this is not all of the available documents. All documents are available on the IHETS Web site at: www.ihets.org/ilportal/ . One document to take note of is the BA Blueprint. The goal is user satisfaction; the portal is designed to connect people to learning opportunities.

Kramer asked, assuming the technology is built, how do you get adults/people to use it.

King responded that a marketing component is needed. The goal is to pull people in and get them connected as preschoolers. Then they come to rely on it as an adult.

Scott added that we’re all helping to bring people to the portal, rather than one person or company alone.

Ross commented that Hoosiers use libraries as their own educational system, but there is a gap in computer literacy. Libraries can be used as a training ground to help Hoosiers become computer literate.

After a question from Kramer about the role of business organization, King mentioned there will be continued talks with Workforce Development.

Kramer asked if it is built, who will pay to keep it. Dave reported that the implementation is from outside funds, but we need to make a case for maintenance.

Mayo asked if this will be broader than just access to education. Could communities of interest have community portal access, with public and private information? Will we pay for the private information access?

King responded that as communities of interest begin to form, we need to have this in place. We need to address how this relates to the Access Indiana site. We can run parallel and link in the background. Between these two, we can support communities and to do what they need.

Joint Dinner Meeting of the House and Senate Technology Committees

King reported that the Joint Dinner Meeting of the House and Senate Tech Committees will be held on April 7, 6-8pm. Senator Ford suggested this meeting. There will be presentations from: IHETS/ICN, CILC/CEC, and the Web Academy. There will also be a tour of the facilities.

Kramer asked if Senator Kenley and the education committees were invited. King said that was a good idea and would talk with Ford.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ITC, Fred Nay

Nay reported that ITC did not meet during spring break. Nay will work to bring IPSE in to further work on the video migration plan.

IPSE, Dick Tully

Tully, filling in for Erv Boschmann, gave the committee report for IPSE. He reported that they have met three times since the last Management Committee meeting. Tully reported on Smart Desktop, King’s preview of I-Light, ongoing conversations about migration, the Teach Act, and the IPSE Awards, which will be announced at the All Partners’ Conference on April 4. Ward mentioned the recipients of the awards. They are:

Teaching in a Distance Education Program:
Winner: Curt Bonk, Indiana University Bloomington
Runner Up: William Dynes, University of Indianapolis

Teaching with Technology:
Winner (tie): George Weimer, University of Indianapolis
Winner (tie): Michael Slavkin, University of Southern Indiana

Instructional Support for Distance Education
Jay Fern, IUPUI

Tully reported of discussions about the migration from ATM to IP Video, and expressed concern. He reported that they are trying to find ways to migrate much quicker than the original plan.

STAFF REPORTS

Lifelong Learning Services Update

Ward introduced Richard Miles as the newly appointed Program Manager for the Lifelong Learning Service. He will be starting April 8.

After a few words from Miles, Siminski distributed and gave a status report. Siminski reported the successful tests of MPEG2 to WFYI. He is pleased with the results and will continue to test. Some local testing will be conducted, as getting it out to FYI is expensive. Siminski mentioned that talks are starting about MPEG2 storage, as a lot of space is required. If anyone has questions, please contact Siminski, Tully, or Kaufman.

Ward discussed the content side. Everyone is gearing up for the pilot, which will launch this fall. Ward reported that there is a number of projects coming up in the next six months, including: bringing up the pilot service, identifying a new name, developing a web site and promotional strategy, and developing a business plan for grant monies.

2002-03 Operating Budget Update

The Operating Revenue/Expense Summary, produced by Fisher, was distributed here

King reported that we’re still in line and doing well. We expect some expenses, but staff has taken it to heart to be frugal. Managers have chosen not to do some things, but these will need to be done next year. King commended the staff for keeping us within the budget.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting is scheduled for May 20, unless a conference call is needed due to budgetary actions. Please take note of board meeting dates and encourage your board member in getting here. Your support is appreciated. The goal is to not only bring them up to speed on projects, but also to pass the budget.

The meeting adjourned at 12:01pm.