Bob Henshaw
Vicki Kolowitz
James Lee
Wallace McClendon
Greg Newby
Jim Noblitt (Chair)

Call to Order
Welcome and Introductions
Announcements

Course Retention Policy - Jeanne Smythe, ITS

See draft policy overview (.rtf). Would like FITAC input in the next three weeks. Send to jeanne_smythe@unc.edu or cit@unc.edu.

Discussion

• Few faculty members are probably aware that course syllabi are public records. Records Office was eliminated in the budget cuts. In the past, department chair bore responsibility to retain records of course documents.
• Maximum statute of limitations on how long course documents should be kept is two years. Four years would be conservative guideline.
• Some instructors may need to delete portions of old course websites (e.g., exam keys) before the statute of limitations. Legal Counsel will have to consider on a case-by-case basis.

Exemplars - Show and tell

Skip Bollenbacher, Biology/PMABS, Jory Weintraub, PMABS, Michael Cato, PMABS
References:
Partnership for Minority Advancement in the Biomolecular Sciences

Bollenbacher presented on his use of instructional technology in Biology 52, a large residential course. In addition to facilitating course management tasks like document dissemination, he uses Blackboard and other web-based technologies to:

• link to articles he calls Breakthroughs which are used as the basis for discussion of key concepts;
• emphasize writing assignments through a series of student synopses;
• publish special vocabulary lists;
• make available sample exam questions;
• maintain a topical link library.

Weintraub presented on a course he teaches through PMABS' Collaborative Electronic Learning Laboratory (CELL). The technology links students and instructors among UNC-Chapel Hill and seven of the NC's historically minority universities, enabling them to share curricula across institutions. Among the technology-enabled learning strategies he is using are

• video-based (H.323 and ISDN) teleconferencing
• networked Smartboards used for document sharing and class participation
• discussion forums and student websites (Blackboard) that help build community
• email, which accounts for most of the communication outside of class
• websites and Powerpoint presentations that students across institutions collaborate on and co-present
• for more information on the use of Blackboard and this course, a CIT interview with Weintraub is available

Proposed Changes to Academic Plan

Report on Noblitt/Bollenbacher meeting with Daryll Gless and Steve Allred

• Hour-long meeting was productive, comments and suggestions on academic plan received with thanks.
• Invited them to think about incorporating information and knowledge
• Suggested disconnect between technology spending and academic plan goals.
• Is this a political document or leadership document?
• FITAC stands ready to participate/contribute to process.
• See Noblitt's memo on suggested edits [.rtf] to the plan, and Bollenbacher's addendum [.rtf].
• Chancellor wants to vet document at a facilitated Deans/Vice Chancellors' retreat in March.

Suggestions: Keep pushing message. There is no magic bullet. FITAC members need to meet with retreat participants, attend forums, etc. Suggestions must be presented to academic plan committee in the form of alternative language.

CIO Search

• Jim Noblitt handed out job description.
• Search committee has met twice, will begin interviewing recruiting committees.
• Reporting structure issues still evolving. CIO will continue to oversee ATN and ITS.

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Updates

Agenda: TBA