Instructional Support Committee

Attending: Matt Kluber, Rebecca Stuhr, David Cook-Martin, Richard Fyffe, Al Lacson, Leslie Gregg-Jolly, Karen Shuman, Jenny Anger, Terri Phipps

Minutes of December 16 approved.

• Planning to fill the vacated CTS position

Leslie gave a history of the CTS program and its evolution over the years. There are currently two CTS positions (one recently vacated). In recent years, the CTSs have done more work collaboratively, including working closely with librarians and the new ARC (Academic Resource Center) team. Last year, an on-the-ground support position (Dan Whiteside) was added on a trial basis. Due to the budget situation, all position requests are carefully reviewed, but Leslie is optimistic that a request to refill the vacant CTS position will be approved.

Some CTS projects are faculty driven; others are proposed by the CTSs. It is important for the CTSs to be able to listen to faculty, look at the end result, and then determine what technology is required. A less specialized—more generalist—background would be helpful in this regard.

Experience and skills desired in a new CTS were discussed. It was proposed that the CTS position description require some programming background, such as MySQL, scripting, Linux, or Open Source operating system. Higher technical skills now seem to be a higher priority than experience in academia, though background in the liberal arts and higher education (not necessarily Ph.D.) is preferred. Campus and strategic planning need to be at the forefront when defining this position.

• Update on the upcoming faculty colloquia

Leslie is working to recreate the Faculty Colloquia program.

Feb. 11: Using Primary Sources Across the Curriculum

Future possibilities: Elena Bernal, Grant Writing, Writing Lab

• Open doc format

Everyone on campus needs to make intentional software choices.

• Other business

In response to the Second Year Retreat, Leslie will hold an information session on Feb. 2 for faculty, staff, and students interested in the MAP program.

Curricular development and summer workshop proposals are due soon. ISC members are encouraged to review the proposal evaluation criteria included on today's agenda.

Respectfully submitted,
Terri Phipps