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Show A Year of Change There are many behind-the-scenes people and organizations at Weber State that make a big splash on the public stage. One of the little-known groups is the Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Computing; in simpler terms, Computer Literacy. The computer literacy committee was an idea born from the minds of many people, particularly 1985-86 academic vice president, Kelly Miles, and then business and economic student senator, Scott Baxter. The purpose of the project was to improve the marketable skills of Weber State students through computer competency. While this was a nice idea, it could not be done an the outdated Harris system. It required new computers. The proposal was made to tack on a surcharge to the regular student fees in order to pay for computers to be integrated into the curriculums of the programs on campus. Plus, matching funds from the legislature were made available for an approximate total of $856,966. The committee was then formed and proposals made. The committee met and discussed proposals for several months before determining the allocations that would be made. It was finally determined that a VAX 8700 would be purchased to replace the old 8600 system. These system could be used by both the faculty and the administration. The faculty is currently using the Harris system. Creating the compatibility will mean that faculty members will have access to student grade sheets without waiting for the administration to send them. The problems with the changeover are two-fold. First, in the time it will take to transfer from the Harris to the VAX. Dr. Eric Jacobson, director of academic computing, feels that this process will take about one year. The second problem is a common one in this day to computer compatibility. Generally a faculty member only has access to student records for counselling purposes. In fact, a secretary can be fired for releasing a student record to a faculty member for other reasons. Sharing the 8700 system will mean faculty have full access to a student's record. This VAX system will also help the students in computer information systems fields. It is estimated that 2 to 3 years of experience on the VAX is necessary for many post-degree positions, according to the Weber State chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery. Xf AUSTIN, I J l( M (vl CANT GET if yp5 i this wrd F I WA processor! Jto Basically, the VAX system will help the students in the School of Business and Economics and the School of Technology. "The VAX system would not help the students in the other five schools," said Baxter, the 1986-87 vice president for academics and administration (formally known as academic vice president.) The VAX system came in at an approximate cost of $451,369. Also, $62,255 was added to for "special projects" money to replace the HARRISCAD software. Additionally, provisions were made for the development of small labs in various areas of campus. An APPLE MACINTOSH lab is currently being put into the Browning Center as well as COMMADORE 64's put into a lab for the School of Natural Sciences. Other labs will be put in the technical education building, the Wattis Business Building, the education building, and the English writing lab in the social science building will have enhanced IBM compatibles. The final decision made by the committee was to allow for faculty of the School of Business and Economics to purchase computers instead of enhancing its lab. This is in direct conflict with the original intent of the idea, according to Miles, former student government official. Miles said the proposal was designed to integrate computers into the curriculum and then to buy necessary software and hardware. It was never to purchase faculty equipment. Many of the computers are already in place and in use. Despite the controversy over the extra cost per student, the college as a whole will benefit. The curriculum and the emphasis placed on computer skills will be changed to adapt to more current market conditions. Students will become more marketable in all majors as their abilities to use computer skills for time saving increases. Emilie Bean Computer Literacy rfV (well, let) (you dont use J ME GIVE WHITE-OUT ON I 1 V YOU ONE f mk COMPUTER!!! i rCl TIP... J SP rat il 7Amn SignOff Tuesday, June 2, 1987 3B |