DCS Advisory Group
November 2, 1999
12:00 - 1:30
ITC-Astronomy Conference Room
Meeting Summary
1. Advisory Group Membership
Sue Ellen welcomed Bill Emanuel to the group. He's a faculty member
in Environmental Sciences and will be serving on the group this
year.
Dave Drucker has agreed to be on the committee for another year and he will be the group's representative to the LSP Steering Committee.
Sue Ellen reiterated that DCS is not trying to make changes to LSP
job descriptions. DCS is trying to keep LSPs informed about IT
personnel initiatives at the state level. This was discussed at the
October LSP conference.
Robert Dittmar, the former manager of Cavalier Computers, will join
DCS as DCI Coordinator on November 15th. He will be working closely
with George Williams and departments as they enroll in DCI.
Sue Ellen reported that DCS is surveying LSPs to see how well DCS
services are meeting the needs of LSPs. Kathy Reed suggested we ask
LSPs about the quality and quantity of services and support they
receive from DCS.
Sue Ellen noted that Brian Davis, the LSP Coordinator, is developing
a plan of action for the LSP program. The plan will address 3
issues:
2. LSP Participation
Sue Ellen distributed a list of departments at the University and
their respective LSPs. There are not as many holes as once thought.
Many small departments and centers do not have LSPs. Most of the big
areas are covered.
There was a great deal of discussion regarding the perceived value
of participating in the LSP program as it relates to career
advancement. Most departments do not have clearly defined career
paths for their LSPs. There was discussion about whether IT salaries
at UVa fall below industry salaries. For select types of positions,
those in high demand (e.g. those with NT experience), industry
salaries are much higher than those in the public sector. If money
is a leading factor
in why people leave, we must find creative ways to attract and
retain IT staff (e.g., training, good equipment, LSP program, etc.).
How can the LSP program be used as a recruiting tool? The group
discussed the possibility of an internship program to give LSPs
experience in other areas. The problem is that departments cannot do
without their
LSPs during the internship period. Perhaps a floating position could
be funded centrally. The Deans would have to buy into such a
program. Such training programs could be used as career paths for
LSAs as well. Some researchers hire their own computer support
staff, however, they do not participate in the LSP program. Often
computer support for
research and academic areas is separate. Because research and
academics are so closely tied, the University needs to look at that.
Perhaps research funds can be used to train LSPs. It was suggested
that DCS hold conversations with supervisors of LSPs to determine if
the LSP program is meeting the needs of management. We must also
look at how we can support UVa centers not located in
Charlottesville. The Division of Continuing Education serves as a
model in this regard.
Sue Ellen will email Brian Davis's plan of action to the group before the next
meeting of the group.
3. UCIT Update
Martha noted that Tim Sigmon gave a talk on PKI (public key infrastructure)
recently. The use of digital signatures is becoming much more relevant.
She urged us to look at UCIT's strategic plan. She will collate our feedback
and take it to UCIT. Of special note is Goal 3 which has to do with Computer
Support.
4. LSP Steering Committee Update
At their last meeting, the steering committee discussed survey results from
the October LSP conference, the DCS survey, and the role of LSAs.
5. DCI Update
George Williams reported that UVa is now ready for departments to purchase DCI
machines without the image. The image will be available in December. At this
time, the University is working on the leasing agreement. Prices for Macs are
on the web. The image for individual purchases is not ready yet. It will be
developed after the departmental image is finalized. Cavalier Computers has
hired 3 new people to work on DCI. Several departments have begun talking with
George about their upcoming DCI purchases. Kathy Reed reiterated that upper
management needs to know how many machines departments are purchasing.
6. Next meeting
Tuesday, December 7, 1999
12:00 - 1:30
ITC-Astronomy Conference Room
In attendance: Martha Blodgett, Charles Huffman, Bill Emanuel, Penney Catlett, Kathy Reed, LaVahn Hoh, Barbara Henry, George Williams, Sue Ellen Breeden, Nancy Hopkins