Meeting Minutes: October 21, 2009

Present: Joe Appelget; Gary Blievernicht; Stephen Blosser; Denise Forro; Mike Hudson; Virginia Martz; John Pedraza; Jim Renuk;

  1. Blosser called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
  2. No minutes to approve due to a failure of the Smart Pen recording device. Minutes will be presented once technology problem is resolved.
  3. Blosser will talk with the Council of Graduate Students (COGS) regarding sending a representative to sit on the ATC CAFÉ.

  4. Chairperson's Report of discussion with Vice Provost David Gift. The university depends upon the ATC to make recommendation for technology. Discussed the MSU web accessibility guidelines. Most departments have accepted the guidelines and have placed a lot of effort into making their department websites accessible. In 2010, we can anticipate a tight budget, and David Gift complemented the ATC CAFÉ on historically acting in a responsible and frugal manner with regard to funding needs.

    A visit by David Gift may not be possible this semester due to a conflict with the time on Wednesdays. Possibly a representative group from ATC membership could meet with David Gift in his office. David Gift is willing to review a draft letter of invitation to departments to be sent to the Deans and Directors. Blievernicht offered to write the letter of invitation

  5. Blosser inquired regarding ATC member technology recommendations. Blosser may propose some software requests, i.e., WINN, Magic, etc. (some competing software which may be more affordable for students). Hudson inquired regarding the timeline for the APPR requests. Blosser advised requests can be proposed during the next several ATC meetings with the APPR due in December 2009.
  6. Blosser reported a new project through the Engineering Department ($30,000 grant) reviewing phone applications for students with disabilities. The first project proposed may be similar to the Live-scribe; allowing students to take notes using a Bluetooth keyboard, record, and synchronize the lecture. An application called "One Note" can record but does not synchronize. Pedraza mentioned the I-pod or I-phone can synchronize what it is recording and can follow or match the keyboard notes.
  7. Blosser discussed the need for ATC Web site updates www.msu.edu/~atc/. The site was last modified in 2003. Blievernicht inquired regarding who may have a "key" to access the website and make changes. Blosser and Pedraza offered to inquire regarding obtaining the password for the page from John Eulenberg, and review the website for changes.
  8. Appelget announced the next meeting on 11/4/09 at 3 pm. Recommended the ATC CAFÉ meeting dates and times posted to the website, as the committee will not always meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month during 2010 due to room reservation conflicts. Some meetings are schedule for the 2nd and 4th Wednesday.
  9. Blosser inquired regarding Press coverage of the ATC CAFÉ to increase membership. Members present discussed options, pro and con of press coverage, and determined first effort for increased membership needs to come from the letter of invitation sent to departments. Later, there may be the option of public demonstration of technology; feature ATC in Library, e-books players, etc. to attract participation and this could include press coverage.
  10. The meeting was adjourned (Pedraza - moved, Martz - second) at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Martz, Recording Secretary