University of Minnesota,
Morris
Campus Resources and
Planning Committee
March 18, 2004
Members
Present: Andy
Lopez, LeAnn Dean, Mark Fohl, Lowell Rasmussen, Kevin
Ely, Arne Kildgaard, Mike
Sullivan, Bryan Herrmann
Guests: Sam
Schuman, John Bowers, Christina Pacheco, Fritz Schwaller,
Sandy
Olson-Loy
(In
these minutes: Discussion of
Compact, Computer lab issues, Proposal to rename Center Avenue)
The
Compact for 2004-2005 was distributed to committee members. Schuman said one important change from
last year is that we are not supposed to put a desired dollar amount in the
document, central administration will divide the money on a proportionality
basis and let us decide. Since we
didnąt get some of the monies from last year, this document has not changed
very much. Our topic issue
again will be to enhance our visibility. The committee suggested minor changes
to the document. Mark Fohl
made a motion to support the Compact as presented. Second by Ken Hodgson.
So moved.
Schuman
added that he would not be able to stay for the discussion about the proposal
to rename Center Avenue. He
believes this is an important thing to do and would encourage the committee to
take the necessary steps to do so.
Kevin
Ely distributed the following proposal regarding Institutional Technology
Planning as outlined below:
Proposal: to have an institutional discussion
surrounding technology funding and planning at UMM. Such a discussion must involve the wide ranging consultation
of multiple constituencies to assess how to answer the central questions or
issues of technology funding at UMM.
A
few central questions that need to be answered:
1)
Do
we want to continue to solely fund technology at UMM through student fees and
building renovations? What sorts
of technology should be funded through which funding sources?
2)
What
goals are driving technology planning decisions made at UM?
3)
What
sort of process should be created for scheduling computer labs? Do we want multiple classifications for
labs, or discipline specific labs?
4)
Who
should set the plan for technology which does not support student activities
related technology at UMM/
Examples
of a few problems which reflect the current woes of Technology planning at UMM:
€
Currently there is not apparent central funding source for computing labs to be
used for instructional use.
€
The Technology Fee is a fund set aside for technological advances that will
benefit a maximum number of students and is not used for solely institutional
purposes. Certain Technology Fee
Computer Labs have recently been classified as schedulable for classes and have
recently been increasingly used for instructional purposes.
€ Students currently cannot be sure of
the location and number of computers available for their use. (Students have become increasingly
concerned about this issue after the proposed/possible closure of two
technology fee labs which would be used in a larger computer classroom to be
housed in the new Social Science building. The number of computers that should be available (day and
night) needs to be set.
€
The Director of Computing Services is currently the sole continual person in
charge of Technology Fee administration and assists in making al location recommendations. The Director additionally submits
proposals to the Technology Fee for funding. This presents an unfortunate conflict of interest.
€
There is currently no definite funding source for computers open to all
disciplines which are to be solely used for instructional purposes.
€
MCSA continues to receive proposals for the Technology Fee to be used for
instructional purposes as no other Institutional Technology Planning board
exists at present.
Ely
suggested creating a subcommittee of CRPC to address the many issues that the
current structure does not always address.
John
Bowers said currently there six computer labs on campus: Behmler Hall, Room 10 with 38
computers; Briggs Library, Third Floor with 24 computers; Camden Hall, Room
with 10 computers (schedulable classroom); Science West Wing, Room 2530 with 24
computers (schedulable classroom); Behmler Hall, Room 39 with 13 computers
(schedulable as training facility; and Student Center, Room 127 with 7
computers. He noted that UMM
cannot afford to have an unlimited number of computers. He added that Computing Services is
committed to a four year replacement cycle. Lopez asked if
the Tech fee was being used to the students wishes. Ely said the number of proposals has
increased significantly and there might be certain amount not fully supported
by students. Fritz Schwaller said
that due to budget constraints, offices canąt meet basic operational costs and
this will only get worse before it gets better. The number of proposals have increased because thereąs
simply no place to find the money.
LeAnn Dean said that John Bowers, Roger Boleman and she have a
preliminary draft of a technology plan along with discussion points and realistic
funding. Lopez asked if the
committee could view the draft.
Dean said yes, but added that this is a work in progress. Bowers asked if this is an issue of the
convenience of having computers available. Lopez asked if a subcommittee should be formed to address
the concerns. Ely thought it would
be helpful for next year and future generations. Ely will follow-up with LeAnn Dean, John Bowers, and Roger
Boleman.
Christina
Pacheco distributed the following Proposal to rename Center Avenue as outlined
below:
United
Latinos applauds the efforts of the administration to diversify the University
of Minnesota, Morris campus, specifically in regards to the renaming of the
main University street to be Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. For a few years now, United Latinos has
been talking about the possibility of renaming a campus street to Avenida de
Cesar Chavez (Cesar Chavez Avenue).
We feel that this would be very appropriate for our University for
several reasons:
€ Cesar Chavez was very instrumental in
the development of the National Farm Workers Association. In keeping with the history of UMM as
being an agricultural school, we feel that this re-naming would be very
appropriate for our University as well as the rural agricultural town of
Morris.
€ The fact that the road would branch off
of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive would be symbolic in that Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. was a mentor and inspiration to Cesar Chavez.
We
believe that re-naming one of UMMąs streets for Cesar Chavez would be another
great stride to diversify our campus.
We would propose that if the administration is in agreement with this
proposal that the re-naming occur on Wednesday, March 31, 2004. This date is symbolic because it is the
unofficial Cesar Chavez day being that his birthday was March 31, 1927. The state of California has established
this day as an official state holiday.
United Latinos would be willing to do a presentation, and may be able to
help with some of the monetary costs of the signs.
Administrative
Response: The Vice Chancellors
group reviewed and accepts United Latinos proposal to rename one of our campus
streets to recognize Cesar Chavez.
The administration and United Latinos recommend that Center Avenue,
which links with Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (at the stop sign north of HFA)
and continues to the center of the campus (by Camden Hall and Social Science)
be renamed Avenida de Cesar Chavez (Cesar Chavez Avenue) this spring.
Mark
Fohl asked if UMM had a policy on naming streets because itąs possible another student
group will come along in a couple of years and want to rename another
street. Lowell Rasmussen said we
donąt have a policy on naming streets; proposals are brought to this committee
for their consideration and then the committee makes their recommendation to
the chancellor. Kevin Ely made a
motion to support the proposal as presented and to move forward in making this
official. Second by Mike Sullivan. So moved.
Adjourned
at 9:00 a.m.