INTRODUCTION TO STRENGTHS, ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS,
AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND BENEFITS
The ACS team used site visits, questionnaires, and focus group
sessions to gather information and opinions from the academic sector of
the University. These observations and impressions from faculty, staff,
and students identified many strengths within the academic computing
environment. Many groups and individuals acknowledged that major
progress had been made in advancing academic computing across the
University during the past decade. Further, it was clear that the University
had taken steps to implement several important overarching
recommendations outlined in the March 1993 NISS report. This positive
and immediate response was viewed as a major strength by team members
and many participants in the ACS effort.
The major focus of any study and the methodologies used to
conduct and support that study should emphasize the identification of
issues in need of further work on attention. Thus, as a natural outcome of
this process, an ambitious list of concerns and issues that need to be
addressed can be expected. This result held true for the ACS study as
well. The major effort of the team was to identify and articulate an
extensive, but legitimate, list of academic computing issues and concerns
which require attention at a variety of levels within the University
community.
The team then deliberately examined all identified issues and
prepared recommendations to address those concerns. The benefits of
implementing the recommendations were identified and included in the
recommendations section of the report.
Finally, it should be noted that the strengths, issues and
implications, and recommendations and benefits sections were organized
within the following five categories:
-
- Instruction and Research
- Communication and Networking
- Equipment, Resources, and Maintenance
- Support Staff and Training
- Policies, Planning, and Organization
STRENGTHS
In this study process, more time and energy were devoted to the
identification of issues and the development of recommendations that to
strength identification. However, the opportunities that were provided to
participants did permit the team to identify several significant strengths
found in the current Kent academic environment.
INSTRUCTION AND RESEARCH
1. Some academic units are involved in innovative uses of computing
in support of the academic mission of the University. As a result:
A. Some units are incorporating emerging computing and
networking technologies into their research and
instructional activities.
B. Many units have been successful in receiving some outside
funding or in-kind contributions for hardware and software.
2. Funding has been received to support the installation of a new
statewide library and information system in 1994. As a result:
A. Kent students, faculty, and staff soon will have greatly
improved access to major academic and research
collections throughout the state and to other important
electronic resources via OhioLINK.
B. The large holdings and extensive reference sources owned
by the Kent libraries will be more widely accessible.
3. Audio Visual Services and Teleproductions employ a quality,
service-oriented staff in support of classroom instruction. As a
result:
A. Many faculty use film and other traditional media in the
classroom.
B. An increasing number of faculty are beginning to
incorporate video conferences, interactive video, and
computer applications in instruction.
COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING
1. The IBM ES9000 9121-732 provides a unified point of access to
electronic mail and Internet resources. As a result:
A. Faculty, staff, and student use of electronic mail is growing.
B. Faculty, staff, and students have increased awareness of the
availability and value of Internet resources.
C. University internal and external electronic communication
is supported.
D. The Internet is used to support classes and electronic office
hours.
2. Local area networks (LANs) have been installed in several
academic units. As a result:
A. The local LANs will serve as the foundation for connection
to the campus network.
B. A platform is provided for the growing use of local
electronic mail and Internet access.
C. LANs are encouraging the sharing of hardware and
software resources.
D. Network-based computer applications are becoming
available to more faculty, students, and staff.
3. The University has committed to the completion of the network
infrastructure, recommended in the Network and Information Systems
Study, as part of its strategic and capital plans. As a result:
A. The network infrastructure will permit LANs to be
interconnected.
B. Communication and access to information from many
sources will be simplified and enhanced.
C. CD-ROM data bases and other library resources will be
accessible from remote locations.
D. It will be possible to quickly disseminate information and
news to the academic community.