Information Technology has formed the Academic Computing Lab Advisory Group to improve communication between the academic departments and IT, with the goal of better service for students while meeting departmental needs.

"IT is the one who provides the service, but we don't always know exactly what the departments or the students need," said Interim IT Assistant Vice President Yvonne Flood, who chairs the advisory group. "So it only makes sense to bring the three groups together."

"The group is a good representation of faculty across the three schools," added English Chair Joan Griffin. "We're all interested in solving whatever problems we can with the scheduling and use of the labs."

Aerospace Chair Jeff Forrest said that there are many issues involved in the efficient use of the labs. "We'll be determining strategies for balancing faculty needs for access to the labs in order to teach, with student needs for access for research and study."

The group recently began meeting weekly; first on the agenda is the lab reservation system. The members are:

Faculty
Clare Cornell, Assistant Professor of Art
Bill Emerson, Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Jeff Forrest, Chair and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Science
Sid Freudenstein, Chair and Professor of Physics
Janos Fustos, Professor of Computer Information Systems
Joan Griffin, Chair and Professor of English
Tim Mayes, Associate Professor of Finance
Keith Norwood, Chair and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Peggy O'Neill-Jones, Associate Professor of Technical Communications
Barbara Uliss, Chair and Professor of Accounting

Academic Affairs
Linda Curran, Interim Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Programs

Students
John Prater, Student Lab Supervisor
Beth Ott, Vice President for Communication, Student Government

IT Staff
Yvonne Flood, Interim Assistant Vice President (Chair)
Sharon McGee-Canady, Director, Network and Desktop Services
Bedri Gunc, Lab Manager
Ken Gurule, Lab Manager