Y2K has little effect on AU computers
Fight expected for 2001 funding
IBM team identifies technology goals
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AU REPORT |
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| Headlines Y2K has little effect on AU computers Fight expected for 2001 funding IBM team identifies technology goals |
Fireworks over Samford
Y2K fails to slow AU computing
As with most of the rest of the world, the feared computer error failed to materialize at Auburn over the Jan. 1 weekend or, to a significant degree, in the days that followed. Offices reopened Monday after the New Year and the university was ready for the start of winter quarter classes on Tuesday.
The campus also escaped attack by computer viruses linked to the onset of the year 2000, a threat that Jim Stone, executive director of Telecommunications, ETV and University Computing, said was considered more likely than Y2K problems.
"We were prepared for viruses that vandals or pranksters might try to introduce, but we had none of that," he said.
Nor did the campus encounter any damage from the fireworks or the more than 30,000 people celebrating the advent of the year 2000 at Toomer's Corner. A review by the Facilities Division, found campus buildings undisturbed.
The only problem computer personnel encountered that weekend was related to neither Y2K nor viruses. The university's licenses for older versions of Netscape software -- 4.05 and earlier -- expired on Dec. 31, and staff technicians installed newer versions of the Internet software on computers in the university's public labs on Jan. 1.
Stone said his office is encouraging individual users of the older software to upgrade with Netscape 4.7.
With mission-critical systems working without a hint of Y2K bugs, computer specialists stood by to correct any other problems in the internal systems of campus units during the first business days.
On Wednesday, they repaired a glitch in the library's computer software which wouldn't roll over to the year 2000. That error, which resulted in some faculty being listed as inactive, was detected and corrected the same day.
Although information technology specialists corrected Y2K-susceptible coding in mission-critical software and equipment during 1999, the university developed emergency plans in case of utility failures due to Y2K. The plans will be available in case the university has to respond to a natural disaster or technology crisis in the future, said Syd Spain, co-director of Auburn's Y2K response program.
One of the benefits of the process is that AU was able to get approval for use of three facilities as Red Cross shelters if the need should occur, he added. Those facilities are Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum, the Student Activities Building and Haley Center.
Stone said he is glad the university can put Y2K behind it and move on to other technological concerns. The first goal is to complete a study of information technology needs and resources. The university also has to continue preparations for the conversion of its academic calendar to semesters next fall, he noted.
After the lengthy buildup to Y2K, Auburn's information technology personnel welcome the chance to deal with other matters, Stone said. "All of us were getting pretty tired of it, and we are ready to start on a new subject."
Y2K without bugs
Information technology specialists and administrators greeted Year 2000
within the confines of AU's computer center in Parker Hall. Among those
on hand for any contingency were Gene Stewart, seated, and standing, from
left, Mike Stewart, Chick Wade, Bliss Bailey, Rich Burnett and Jim
Stone.
Legislative fight predicted over funding for education
"There's a tremendous battle coming up over whether higher education will
receive a share of new money in the Education Trust Fund," said Mitchell.
"Auburn is in the same boat as the rest of higher education, and there is a
chance there may not be much funding available for any of us."
The problem facing colleges and universities, Mitchell said, is a push by the Alabama Education Association to raise K-12 teachers' salaries to the national average within five years. Gov. Don Siegelman has endorsed that goal but has pledged not to seek new taxes.
To pay for such a plan without new taxes, the Legislature would have to divert virtually all new education revenues for the next five years to teacher salaries, Mitchell said. K-12 schools should be free to use their share of the education budget for salary increases if that is where the need is greatest, but they shouldn't try to boost the amount further by cutting into higher education's share of the budget, he added.
Auburn's main goal for the legislative session, Mitchell stressed, is to maintain higher education's traditional allocation of one-third of new funding in the education budget.
"Raising teacher salaries is a worthy goal, but higher education has needs,
as well," he said. "Auburn's faculty and staff are also below the national
salary average and are equally worthy of more compensation, and we have
other very important needs, as well. Yet there would be no money left for
higher education under the plan that is being discussed for the teachers."
Mitchell said Auburn and other four-year institutions have been preparing
for months for a fight over education funding in this year's legislative
session.
"We are going to use all the resources available to us to fight for adequate funding for Auburn," he said. "We have been lining up support from Auburn alumni, and we are uniting with other institutions and their alumni in this effort."
Until the James administration in the mid-1990s, higher education received about one third and K-12 schools received two-thirds of the state's education budget. The James administration cut funding to higher education to provide more for K-12 so that higher education's share fell to 26 percent of the total.
While those changes have remained in place over the past two years, the Legislature has granted colleges and universities one-third of new growth in the budget.
"We are just beginning to pull our state funding out of the financial hole, and we still have a ways to go," said Mitchell.
AU President William Muse is scheduled to present the university's case for more funding before a joint legislative committee in the House Chamber of the Alabama Statehouse at 9 a.m. on Jan. 20.
"There will be other issues in the session, but it will be hard for them to gain the attention of the Legislature while this is on the table," Mitchell said.
He said the Auburn Legislative Action Network, a statewide organization
of Auburn supporters, has been contacting legislators in the members'
home counties in support of the university. "We are making an extra effort
to make sure that legislators hear from Auburn supporters in their
districts," Mitchell added.
IBM team issues goals for information technology
* Student Success: "Our students will be skilled users of technology as they pursue lifelong learning and strive to achieve their personal and professional goals in a global and technology-driven economy of the 21st century."
* Faculty Development: "Our IT environment will facilitate the faculty's use of technology to effectively create, discover, represent, and share knowledge, and by this example, inspire their students to creatively employ technology to achieve success in life."
* Access and Outreach: "Our educational services will be accessible to all members of the Auburn family, extending beyond the traditional boundaries of time and distance to create a global learning community regardless of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, disability or veteran status."
* Administrative Excellence: "Auburn's administrative systems will provide our students, faculty, administrative and professionals, and staff with convenient and reliable access to information. We will offer expanded services, maximize operational efficiency and effectiveness, and support proactive planning and decision-making across the university."
* Partnerships: "We will be smarter, more efficient and cost effective in our IT decisions, leveraging our IT investments by encouraging all components of AU to work together in a coordinated way."
The IBM group said it will submit its final report on Jan. 21.
Team lists areas of most IT complaints
* Poor communication among IT providers and their customers. "Insufficient advertising and promotion of the innovative tools and accomplishments at Auburn perpetuates a myth about our lack of IT resources and leaves expensive assets underutilized. When IT resources are not known, they're not used. Some users get so discouraged just trying to find the right resource, they simply give up. There is little coordination between AU and AUM central IT providers, even for areas where neither group may be able to justify an initiative, but together they have the critical mass to do it (e.g., Macintosh support, help desk)."
* The overlap in some services offered locally and centrally makes less efficient use of the resources at AU. "Many services can only be performed centrally and locally, such as 'strategic planning for IT.' However, for some services (e.g., negotiating and administering software site licenses) there is the potential for 'economies of scale' savings with a consolidated approach to service delivery. Inadequate service levels and staffing at DUC for those particular services will prevent additional users from signing up for central service."
* The roles of distributed and central providers often are not clearly defined, agreed to, or performed. "Users are frustrated by the lack of communication from IT providers about planned changes, improvements, and future needs. There are few venues for effective two-way communication with users. Users perceive that they're not considered or consulted about decisions affecting them. Subsequent decisions are at risk of being decried by users. User trust and confidence erodes."
* There is a widespread perception in the AU community of IT users and committee members that a multitude of IT committees are ineffective. These groups include: IT Advisory Committee, SCT Steering Committee, Academic Computing Committee, Oasis Management Team and the HRS Rollout Team.
* The lack of a chief information officer function is a show-stopper for Auburn to progress as quickly as its peers who have filled this role. "Without a chief information office, Auburn lacks a visionary to inspire key education, state and business leaders to partner with Auburn in building a robust IT environment, a clarion for communicating major IT accomplishments and capabilities of the university to all AU members, a facilitator of coordination among the various IT providers across both campuses, a change agent for infusing more customer-orientation into IT services, a consensus-builder of the key university stakeholders for enterprise-wide IT initiatives, a catalyst for decision-making, a single management face to vendors to negotiate and manage vendor performance, a peer executive to ensure that IT investments support the university's highest priority objectives, and are mutually endorsed by academic and administrative leaders.
"In addition, the current situation has placed unrealistic expectations on DUC without adequately positioning them to successfully fulfill these expectations. Campus opinion is galvanized around the acknowledged need for a CIO to provide leadership, initiative, coordination and communication. DUC, while being the closest, lacks the authority, resources and license to perform the above charges. However the absence of this role negatively impacts the reputation and credibility of the DUC organization on campus."
Memorial to Dennis Sabo
Steve Harris, a doctoral student in educational leadership from
Montgomery, and Marie Kraska, an associate professor of educational
leadership, view the video memorial to Dennis Sabo in the College of
Education's Learning Resources Center.
College of Education exhibits honors late faculty member
The memorial video exhibit in the college's Learning Resources Center honors Dennis Sabo, an assistant professor of educational leadership who died in the crash of a ValuJet airliner in South Florida in May 1996.
On the wall corner next to the specially crafted oak video cabinet is a plaque listing recipients of a graduate fellowship established in his name in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology by family and friends following his death.
College of Education Dean Richard Kunkel, who narrates the video, said the memorial is a reminder of Sabo's philosophy of service to education, which, he added, is reflective of the college. Kunkel said Sabo was establishing a national presence in his field and was one of the college's most promising faculty members when his life was cut short.
"Dennis was a very special person and a quality professional who touched the lives of many people in just a few short years," Kunkel said.
"Dennis will always be remembered fondly by those who knew him, and the memorial provides a unique way to let a new generation of students know about his legacy."
The Auburn memorial was made possible through a gift by the Sabo family attorney, Joseph M. Brown Jr. of Mobile.
Sabo came to Auburn in 1993, after earning a doctorate in educational leadership from Rutgers University and retiring from a successful career as a high school teacher and administrator in New Jersey. Following the plane crash, his impact on the lives of his former high school students was cited in The New York Times.
Montjoy named to new post in Office of Outreach
The announcement was made by David Wilson, associate provost and vice
president for university
outreach.
"Robert brings over 15 years of outreach experience to this position," said Wilson. "He possesses the skills and leadership needed to continue our quest to fully integrate outreach into the fabric of Auburn University. I am excited to have him as a part of my staff."
Montjoy will assist Wilson in formulating, implementing and monitoring university-wide plans, strategies, policies, programs and budgets to foster a comprehensive university-wide outreach program; serving as an advocate for the outreach mission and working with central administrators, deans, faculty, directors of outreach units and others to assure effective, high- quality outreach programming throughout AU.
He will also implement the Flynt Committee Report on Outreach Assessment, which requires working with the Faculty Senate to incorporate the report's recommendations into the Faculty Handbook.
Montjoy, who received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Mississippi, his master's degree from the University of Alabama and his doctorate from Indiana University, has been at Auburn since 1979. From 1985-1997, he served as the director of the Master of Public Administration program, and in 1994, he was named director of the Economic Development Institute.
AU honors Sears CEO
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Chairman Arthur C. Martinez, center, received the AU
College of Human Sciences' sixth annual International Quality of Life
Award during a December program at the United Nations in New York.
Presenting the award to Martinez are June Henton, dean of the College of
Human Sciences, and AU President William Muse. The award was created in
1994 to honor those who make significant contributions to the wellbeing
of others, both professionally and personally.
Carew to lecture remembering King
Carew will be the keynote speaker for "Celebrating the Dream: Commitment to Diversity" at the 6 p.m. observance in the Foy Student Union Ballroom. The event is sponsored by the Office of Vice President for University Outreach and the Office of Minority Advancement.
Carew is an Emeritus Professor of African-American and Third World Studies at Northwestern University. He has lectured in Race Relations at London University and has served as an advisor to heads of state in numerous countries in Africa and Black Studies departments at several universities across the United States.
"I believe the university will enjoy Professor Carew as the speaker," said Daryl Hale, assistant director for minority advancement. "He is uniquely qualified to speak on diversity and what students should do to prepare themselves for the 21st century and beyond."
The program will also feature musical selections by the AU Gospel Choir and the Selma High School Choir. A reception in Foy 217 will follow. For more information, call the Office of Minority Advancement at 844-3491.
Knighted mathematician to speak
Penrose, the Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, will speak on "Science of the Mind" at 4 p.m. in the Dixon Conference Center auditorium. In addition, Penrose will speak to classes on Jan. 25.
Penrose shared the 1988 Wolf Prize with Stephen Hawking for their contributions to the understanding of the universe. He has also received the Royal Society Royal Medal and the Albert Einstein Prize.
In 1994 Penrose was knighted for his services to science. His 1989 book, The Emperor's New Mind, became a best-seller and won the 1990 Rhone Poulenc Science Book Prize. His latest book, Shadows of the Mind, presents what he describes as a "new science of consciousness" and contends that human thought is incomputable.
The Littleton-Franklin Lectures, sponsored since 1968 by the John and Mary Franklin Foundation of Atlanta, also recognizes the services of Mosley Professor Emeritus Taylor D. Littleton.
In its 33rd year, the 1999-2000 lecture series includes as speakers:
Margaret Wertheim, Feb. 7; Richard Leakey, Feb. 14; Helen Thomas, April
24; and William Phillips, May 18.
Nance named acting chancellor at AUM
Saigo, who has been AUM chancellor since 1994, began the leave in
December to care for his mother, who is critically ill in California.
Muse cited Nance's knowledge and experience as the major factors leading
to her appointment. Nance served as acting chancellor from February to
March 1991 and again from June 1993 to June 1994.
Nance joined AUM in 1971 after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Virginia. By the end of her first year at AUM, she was named coordinator of the English program and a year later became the first chair of AUM's Division of Liberal Arts. In 1975, she was named first dean of the School of Liberal Arts.
Pharmacy researchers honored for detection results
One of the procedures developed by AU's Ken Barker and Elizabeth Allan Flynn -- currently used in federal inspections of nursing homes -- may be incorporated in federal rules mandating similar inspections of hospitals.
Barker, the Sterling Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Care Systems and director of the Center for Pharmacy Operations Design, and Flynn, a postdoctoral fellow in pharmacy care systems, on Dec. 7, in Orlando, Fla., received Cheers awards from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices for their work in detection of medication errors.
Noted history professor dies
In retirement, he taught history classes for AU's Academy of Lifelong
Learners, a membership program for learning in retirement years, most
recently as fall quarter.
"He represents one of those bright young scholars recruited after World War II by President Ralph Draughon, teachers whose vision and dedication to Auburn transformed Alabama Polytechnic Institute into Auburn University," said former Harrison student and Professor Emeritus Leah Rawls Atkins.
Atkins, who knew Harrison as a teacher, colleague and friend, says she first met him in the fall of 1953 when he was her professor in a freshman American history class. He later served on Atkins' doctoral committee when she became the first woman to earn a history Ph.D. from AU.
Harrison joined the History Department in 1950. He left in 1957 to serve first as a research associate at Princeton University and associate editor of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson and then as associate professor at George Mason University. He returned to AU in 1966 where he remained until his retirement in 1988.
Input sought on survey forms
Some of the questions the committee is asking faculty to consider are: How well do the current questions on the Teaching Effectiveness Survey allow you to assess teaching in your department? Which questions are useful? Which are not? In addition to your comments about the current Teaching Effectiveness Survey questions and form, the committee would appreciate a copy of any supplemental questions used in your department. The Teaching Effectiveness Committee will use this input in identifying alternative questions which could be included in the university-wide form.
Send your suggestions for revising the Teaching Effectiveness Survey questions and form and your department's supplemental questions to either of the following addresses: Isabelle Thompson, Chair, Teaching Effectiveness Committee, 9030 Haley Center or e-mail, thompis@mail.auburn.edu
Tree-ring specialist to speak at AU
The topic will be discussed when Thomas Swetnam, associate professor and director of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona in Tucson, visits AU on Jan. 20 to deliver a lecture on "Tree Rings and Forest Ecosystems." The 3:30 p.m. lecture in the Dixon Conference Center, is part of the Earl H. and Sandra H. Weaver Endowment Lecture Series in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.
Grants awarded for community service projects
Partners in Community Service is an interdisciplinary program funded by a grant from AU Outreach. The awards of up to $1,500 each, and $2,500 for assessment, assist faculty in setting up or maintaining programs in their curricula that combine learning and service to the community, said program coordinator Holly Stadler, who is head of the Department of Counseling and Counseling Psychology in the College of Education.
Recipients of the Incorporating Service Learning into the Curriculum Grant Awards, their department or program and their projects are:
Thereza Oleinick, Theatre: Quilts for the Community. Charles M. Hendrix, Veterinary Medicine: Innovations in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Alice M. Buchanan, Mary Rudisill, Health and Human Performance: Adventure Around the World.
Emily W. Myers, Social Work: ACT SMART (AIDS Awareness) Program Evaluation. Janelle L. Krueger, Diane Beck, Keith Campagna, Bill Felkey: Development of a Comprehensive Evaluation Method for a Longitudinal Service Learning Program. Jenny Hamner and Barbara Wilder, Nursing: Preliminary Health Screening, Needs Assessment and Health Promotion Teaching for Residents of Auburn Housing Authority.
Carole E. Johnson and Elissa Zylla-Jones, Communication Disorders: Aural Rehabilitation Support Programs in the Community -- a Partnership between AU Speech and Hearing Clinic and East Alabama Services for the Elderly.
Bruce Ledford, Educational Technology: A Learner Centered Approach for
Integrating Service Learning and Technology into Education. Judith Hayn,
Curriculum and Teaching: Hyperstudio: A Tool for Curriculum Integration.
Faye Hall Jackson and S. Jean Weese, Consumer Affairs: Linking Community
to Classroom -- Building Marketing Plans with Rural Entrepreneurs. Sean
A. Forbes, Educational Foundations: Assessment of the 1999-2000 Service
Learning Grant Initiative.
Campus Roundup
Daniel J. Stanley, senior oceanographer from the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, D.C., will give two Sigma Xi research society lectures
Wednesday, Jan. 19, in Chemistry Building 151: "Modern World Deltas:
Origin and Man's Early Occupation" at 3 p.m. and "Nile and Yangtze Deltas:
Dams and Damnation" at 8 p.m.
Staff Council to meet Jan. 25
The Staff Council will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, in Langdon Hall.
State Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, will discuss issues affecting Auburn
in the 2000 session of the Alabama Legislature, which starts Feb. 1.
Speech and hearing screenings set
The AU Speech and Hearing Clinic will hold free speech and hearing
screenings from 1:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, in Haley 1199. All
children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Research society seeks nominations
The AU Chapter of Sigma Xi scientific research society is calling for
membership nominations. Application forms may be printed from the
national Sigma Xi web site
(http://www.sigmaxi.org/membership/nominationform.html) and sent to
the president, Edward J. Parish, Department of Chemistry, for
consideration. Formal installation of new members will take place at the
spring awards banquet.
Child Study Center has openings
The Child Study Center, the only nationally accredited child care center in
the area, has openings in the 4-year-old and 5-K classes. For information,
call 844-4696 or e-mail lsilvern@humsc.auburn.edu. The Child Study
Center is also taking applications for the 2000-2001 school year.
Forum for C&G Accounting candidate
There will be an open forum at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11, in Foy 202 for
faculty and staff to meet and ask questions of Tammy Ebert, who is a
candidate for director of Contracts and Grants Accounting. Ebert has
served as Manager, Contracts and Grants Accounting at the University of
South Alabama for the past three years. She also served at USA as an
internal auditor for approximately two years. She has also held positions
at the USA Medical Center, S.F. Parker and Company, P.C., and Charles E.
Smith Management, Inc. Ebert has a degree in accounting from the
University of Virginia and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Unsung Hero: Don Davino Jr.
What do you do in current job? "I provide information and media
technology support to our various academic and outreach programs."
What is the most rewarding part of your job? "Knowing your work provides a positive environment in which students and my fellow workers can succeed."
What is the most challenging part of your job? "Juggling my various responsibilities."
If you were not doing this job, what would you most like to do? "To work on a project that would have a positive impact on someone's life."
What makes Auburn special? "Auburn is a great place to raise my family! There are many opportunities in Auburn and surrounding communities that can enrich our lives. Plus my neighbors are fabulous people to live with."
What do you like to do when not a work? " I like to do activities with my family (my wife Cindy and two children Kelly and Stuart) and friends."
What is your favorite line from the Auburn Creed and why? "'I believe in my country because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."' I believe my relationship with God allows my life to fall into place."
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AU Report Editor: Roy Summerford. Contributing editors: Bob Lowry, Janet McCoy and David Granger. University Relations Executive Director: Pete Pepinsky. The AU Report is the faculty/staff newsletter of Auburn University and is published by the Office of University Relations at Auburn University. Direct correspondence to AU Report, 23 Samford Hall, Auburn University, Ala. 36849-5109. Telephone 334/844-9999. Electronic mail: summero@mail.auburn.edu |