CAC Members: Chair David Couch, David Ballard, Michael Clark representing Bob Ball, George Demaree, Ron Jones representing Steve Dooley, Larry Fowler, John Heltzel, Betsy Hudson, Ron Moore, Charles Robb representing Jim Nelson, Wayne Bates, and John Witt.
GUESTS: Sheri Rose, Teri DeYoung, Marjorie Yuill, Bill May, Rob Lewis, Pam Slagle, John Meiman and Charlene Davis.
STAFF: Doug Robinson; Executive Director of KIRM and Shirley Rodgers.
Chair Couch called the meeting to order and welcomed members and guests. He then introduced the new CAC members: Dennis Farmer and George Demaree as citizen representatives representing the private sector. The September 29, 1998, minutes of the Joint Kentucky Information Resources Management Commission and Communications Advisory Council meeting were approved as distributed.
Chair Couch briefly discussed the draft telecommuting policy. Motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to forward the telecommuting policy and work options to the KIRM Commission for approval.
Chair Couch also provided a demonstration of using Microsoft Exchange off-line, which allows telecommuters to free up telephone lines and continue to be productive. David stated that the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is researching logs of individuals who are connected to the Internet in excess of 50 hours and added that a class will be taught on how to fully utilize Exchange off-line.
Mike Clark provided a status report on the Kentucky TeleLinking Network (KTLN). He stated that the Department of Information has requested a voluntary sensation of videoconferencing room additions until the net redesign has been completed. Mike added that KTLN is pursuing software that will assist in the scheduling and management of network. He also reported that they are looking at adopting H.320 standards, which will allow them to migrate from VTEL proprietary protocols and to communicate with most other videoconferencing sites throughout the country. Mike added that they have been investigating, along with VTEL and GTE, the implications of H.323, which is in effect the H.320 standards running on IP systems. He continued by stating that they anticipate the H.320 standards will be adopted by the end of June, effective with the redesign.
David Ballard reported that they had requested from VTEL, through GTE, some equipment information needed for Y2K testing purposes. He added that two videoconferencing room locations are being added, which were approved before the moratorium: one at Jefferson Community College and one at Carrolton. David stated that the redesign of the network should be completed by early June, 1999. Mike added that the moratorium on rooms did not affect room upgrades.
David reported on the Kentucky Information Highway (KIH) by stating that ATM is now on price contract. He added that they are exploring ways that the KIH can be instrumental to the private sector. David stated that he, along with Doug Robinson and Sherri Rose, are working with the Appalachian Regional Commission in an effort to revitalize Eastern Kentucky at Governor Paul Patton's request. He added that they are trying to find a mechanism to provide an infrastructure that is affordable for businesses and to allow them to use the same rate as described in the KIH contracts. He concluded by stating that the KIH was nominated for a Smithsonian Award.
David Couch provided an update on the Universal Service Fund. He stated that the program was designed to give schools and libraries a discount of 89% for telecommunications services and internal connections, some software, wiring, and hubs. David added that the current program is being managed at the federal level, and that the states were scheduled to receive moneys in April, 1998. He continued by reporting that Kentucky has only received approval for moneys for 33 districts, and he expected to receive the remaining moneys for all districts by the end of February, 1999.
Charlene Davis reported that the libraries are beginning to receive their moneys. She added that representatives from 15 states visited Washington and met with Vice President Gore's Office and the School Library Organization regarding their moneys.
David Ballard reported on the Model Courthouse project by stating that the WAN and LANs have been installed, and the three courthouses are using email. He added that distribution lists have been created, and they are also using applications. David concluded by stating that the web page is being developed for the Model Courthouse project.
David also reported on the Commonwealth Virtual Library by stating that this project provides network services to the postsecondary education locations. He reported that Phase I, which will connect technical colleges, will be completed in September. David stated that the technical colleges will be connected with DS1 and frame relays, and that they will ultimately be migrated to ATM and DS1 or above, depending upon their needs. He continued by stating that Phase II, which will be completed in mid February with the exception of Northern Kentucky University, and the Phase will provide DS3 ATM services to the eight university locations, with the Department of Information Systems also being one of the drops. David reported that Northern Kentucky University will be completed on March 15th, and that Phase III, which will allow the community colleges to migrate to ATM will begin in March and is expected to be completed in 60 days. David continued by reporting that the 17 extended campuses of the universities will be the last phase of the project, and that he anticipated that all phases would be completed by June 30, 1999. He concluded by stating that KET will also be connected, and the Council on Postsecondary Education's technology trust funds is funding the entire project.
Larry Fowler reported that the Commonwealth Virtual University (CVU) has hired Mary Beth Susman as the Chief Executive Officer, who is employed by Cambridge University through a contract with the University of Louisville. He added that at the current time, there is one other staff member, Ling-yuh (Miko) Pattie. Larry also reported that a CVU work group is meeting every day for the next five weeks to identify every possible transaction that might take place in getting a student from initial enrollment through a degree program. He added that Cambridge would take the data collected and build a database.
Larry added that Ron Moore is chairing the CVU technical committee, who is striving to build a university from scratch. He stated that Cambridge has also been employed to build an infrastructure for the community technical college system. Larry stated that the CVU legislation allows for the creation of 28 colleges, 60,000 students, and 6,000 employees. He further stated that the CVU would require the creation of a new payroll system by April and a student system by summer. Larry concluded by reporting that 10 pilot programs have been identified, and 30 or 40 courses will be operational in the summer.
Charlene Davis provided a Commonwealth Virtual Library (CVL) update by stating that the general citizen will be provided with access to the internet through two projects: 1) The EMPOWER Kentucky Internet Access Expansion project, and 2) The Gates Library Initiative Grant. She added that CVL would be deploying access to the 92 remaining public library systems, and that they are in the process of providing the grant moneys to those systems. Charlene added that considerable training is being provided, and that CVL is expected to train approximately 900 people, including library staff and general public, this year.
Charlene added that public libraries would also be involved in deploying CVL and CVU. She reported that they are in the process of identifying databases needed to support CVL and CVU. David Ballard and Ron Moore discussed the support issues relating to CVL and CVU. Charlene added that Gates Foundation will support these activities for the first year and will provide a 20 incident call per year support for the next two years. She also stated that CVL is exploring the possibility of sponsoring a pilot project for technical support. Charlene explained that the grant would be available for two or more counties who are in need of a technical support person and that they grant would provide approximately 75% of the moneys needed to hire and house the person to meet those needs at the facility.
David Couch provided a demonstration on the KETS Proxy Server Use. He reported that the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) would deploy approximately 1,600 proxy servers throughout the state by July 1. He also discussed the possibility of recommending to KIRM that proxy servers be used throughout the Commonwealth and be the placed on the Enterprise Standards. David discussed the need for agencies to develop Internet policies for acceptable use. He added that KDE is trying to build electronic libraries at each school and each district office and a master server at KDE. David explained how books and magazines could be made readily available through proxy caching or storing and how teachers or presenters can reserve materials from 3 to 5 days ahead of time. He also discussed the other benefits of using a proxy server, such as eliminating bad network connections, providing filters, accessibility, reduction in bandwidth use and charges, and tracking and reporting capabilities. David also discussed the proxy requirements.
Doug Robinson provided an Information Technology Transformation Initiative update. He stated that the recommendations from the EMPOWER Kentucky transformation team were being implemented in various stages. Doug reported that the Office of CIO and the Governance Team is reviewing the current information technology organizational structures, including those of the KIRM Commission, the Office of Geographic Information Systems, and the Department of Information Systems. He added that the relationships associated with the various committees and councils, such as the Communications Advisory Council, were also being reviewed. Doug also stated that a review of the statutory language of each organization and committee/council is being reviewed and possible revisions. He also stated that there will be a continuing role for communications advisory, however, the specific role or functions of the Communications Advisory Council have not been defined. Doug concluded by stating that the next KIRM meeting will be at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 11th, in the Council on Postsecondary Education's Conference Room, and Aldona Valicenti, CIO, will provide a status report on the IT Transformation Initiative.
Doug also reported that the Southern Growth Policy Board's annual meeting would be held in late June in Charleston, Virginia. He stated that the focus of the meeting would be on information technology and telecommunications in the South. Doug added that Kentucky has been asked to provide demonstrations for the fair
Doug reported that the Enterprise Architecture and Standards Committee met in November and made several major revisions to the Standards, which are posted on the KIRM website, along with the January, 1999, revisions. He concluded by reporting that the Committee approved the purchase of Windows 98 for new purchases.
Doug stated that the draft telecommuting policy has been revised and is now available on the CAC website.
The next Communications Advisory Council meeting date will be determined at a later date. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.