Meeting Minutes: January 26, 2011

Present: G. Blievernicht, S. Blosser, D. Forro, D. Margolis, V. Martz, A. Puzzuoli, V. Webster, and B. Wernette;

  1. Blosser called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
  2. Blosser reviewed the meeting minutes from 1/12/11 and requested comments and feedback. CAFE members suggested adding the meeting minutes which continued by e-mail after 1/12/11. The meeting minutes were accepted as revised.
  3. Blosser presented the sample APP&R request from Feb. 2010. Members discussed the adjustable height tables. Webster mentioned she has pictures of the tables in the labs and can share these with CAFE members for review. CAFE members discussed the usefulness of the adjustable tables and the addition of adjustable tables in all MSU micro labs, the MSU main library, the MSU Writing Center, and other areas of campus. Blosser mentioned the library requested funding last year (2010) for the adjustable tables, but the tables were either not ordered or were not approved. Forro will check on the status of the adjustable tables for the main library and inquire if the funding was approved or if there was a mistake/delay regarding ordering the tables.
  4. Martz mentioned the Writing Center is also in need of software to allow students to work independently within the center to complete their writing activities. Blosser will inquire with the Writing Center regarding if they submitted this request on their APP&R.
  5. Blosser reminded the CAFE members regarding S. Swierenga's suggestion regarding moving into the mobile options with the use of I-Phones to allow MSU application developers to borrow the technology for development of programs, GPS programs, and mobile web applications on the MSU campus. Should ATC suggest or support the request for funding of accessibility of mobile web applications? Blievernicht suggested the mobile web group (ATS Web Team on Mobile App Development) provide a summary of their project to allow ATC to review the options and make the recommendation or support the accessibility aspects of the project.

  6. Blosser made contact with NAVTEQ and extended an invitation to visit campus and assist with the GPS navigation and maps. However, the lack of addresses is the cause of the delay in development. CAFE members discussed the lack of addresses on campus and thus concerns regarding non-compliance for 911 and the problems with mobile maps and GPS use on campus. Blosser stated the ATC may want to wait until campus addresses are assigned, and then can propose the options for mobile web.

    Blosser discussed his Capstone project with the Engineering students and the development of an indoor navigation system. He discussed a range of strategies used to accomplish indoor navigation including WIFI intensity to determine the distance to different items. Discussed the challenge of changes to the WIFI transceiver and the need to reconstruct location points with these changes. This approach may not be practical.

    RFID chips might be an option for different locations and mapping the locations might be an option (active and passive). Passive systems do not use a battery and requires close proximity to navigate. The goal is to have a cell phone and then the user will be placed on the map to navigate a building. Blosser suggested an invitation to the Engineering Department to make a request for an I-phone or other devices which could be loaned to test the development of the mobile web.

  7. Discussed the use and accessibility of clickers and the need to continue exploring options with clickers as they are developed.
  8. Blosser reminded the committee the ATC Mtg. will meet next week 2/2/11 for a discussion of new ATS policies (15 character password) S. Payok & K. Ball and APP&R recommendations.
  9. The meeting was adjourned (Puzzuoli, Webster) at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Martz, Recording Secretary