1. NCSSM purchases data and video service from Information Technology Services (ITS) in Raleigh.

NCSSM could move its ISP from ITS to NCREN (NC Research Education Network—service provider to all other constituent institutions)

NCREN provides other coordinated services such as video conferencing and internet 2 (Abilene).

Current circuit is a BellSouth DS/3 of which we use a small PVC. Potential new circuit would be a Gigabit Ethernet circuit.

How will e-rate be affected with a move from ITS to NCREN?  If we lose e-rate, will the cost difference absorb the loss of our 40% e-rate discount?

If we move ISP services to NCREN, does NCREN provide bandwidth shaping consistent with DMCA?

If we move ISP services, does UNCGA or NCREN provide primary DNS service, unlimited public IP addresses, router and firewall maintenance?

Would UNCGA support us for the leased equipment (Cisco 7200 router) we would lose if we migrate to NCREN?

Finding:  NCSSM would need to purchase router for video and data services. A single router would probably suit our needs initially – Cisco 3750 (approximately $10k)

What technical support will we get if we go with NCREN?  (Equipment, NCIH, video over IP, Help line)

Finding: NCREN help desk for all services it provides.

How would a move to NCREN affect the NCIH programming that we currently do with NC schools? 

Finding: Broadcast to school in NCIH would not be impacted.

What additional costs would be incurred?

2. Data Management:

NCSSM underwent an audit by UNCGA of its data warehousing and policies and procedures. 

We were below standards in many areas. 

We will need to comply with UNC standards and best practices in deficient areas.  Being in the UNC system may provide resources for us to do so.

NCSSM has researched data access/pervasive identity control systems and has received quotes ranging from $18,000 to $26,000 not including annual maintenance fees.

NCSSM has received quotes for Intrusion Detection, Use Authentication and wireless LAN segmenting systems ranging from $25,000 to $35,000.

If we move to the UNC system, what are the short and long-term implications of non-compliance? 

What standards must we meet and in what time frame ?

What resources will be available to NCSSM to assist in our compliance to UNC standards?  Expertise?

What requirements are there that relate to ADA standards? (e.g. accessibility for disabled on web pages)

What best practices policy documents (e.g. Business Policy Plans, Disaster Recovery Plans) exist that we could use as a template for our own needs?

3. Hardware, Software and Service Agreements

NCSSM maintains contracts with independent vendors in all these categories

UNC system-wide software available to NCSSM include operating systems, security software and applications software.

UNC system-wide technology hardware contracts and agreements exist.

All constituents except UNC-CH and NCSU use SCT Banner, a comprehensive personnel and student management system.

Hardware:

What networking equipment or video conferencing contracts exist?

What are the minimal required network security components (IDS, VLANs, DMZs, Identity Management, Firewalls)

What about WAN backup systems warehoused centrally but off NCSSM site?

Software:

What software would be available to NCSSM?

Is there a UNC service management database available to NCSSM?

    (These applications afford one the ability to access a centralized database to communicate, document, track and resolve service requests.  Provides technical support, user training, documentation, reporting and workflow management for all of our applications.)

Is the UNC student information service (SCT Banner, Oracle) required across all constituents?

Thirteen campuses are now using a central system for:

      * student enrollments

      * alumni donations

      * streamline administrative services in 5 areas:

    --advancement, finance, financial aid, human resources, student services

Software:

What are the terms for participation (annual?)

Does UNCGA regulate/control licensing and intellectual property issues?  (Would the licensing for InfoNow have been handled differently if we had been a constituent?) 

What if we want to license some of the open source software that we’ve built (e.g. online application system or other of our LAMP structured tools)? How would that fit into the UNCGA structure?

Service Agreements:

Does the UNC system have service contracts and/or personnel to cover science equipment repairs?

What about service contracts for network equipment?

Can NCSSM buy books, chemicals, etc. from the UNC stockroom?

       (Many universities maintain a chemical stockroom; if we could purchase from them we could save $$ on shipping?)

4. NCSSM card access system provides identification, security and circulation services.

NCSSM Unicard system could possibly expand to UNC’s OneCard system.

NCSSM has investigated onecard systems from Blackboard and Diebold. The cost was prohibitive.

What ‘OneCard’ systems are in use across the campus?

Are there bank partnerships that would provide services to our students?

5. NCSSM has a laptop program with IBM/Lenovo.

This is an optional program provided to all staff, students and alumni of NCSSM which offers discounted hardware, the NCSSM software and security image, as well as warranty and service agreements.

Laptop programs at constituent institutions exist.

Could these contract negotiations be coordinated?

Are the hardware specifications stipulated by NCSSM sufficient for use at constituents? What are those published minimum specifications?

NCSSM is unable to provide financing to staff or students. Can UNCGA provide access to a purchase plan; loan financing system for our patrons with demonstrated financial need?

Are there system partnerships in place?  Could NCSSM create a seamless relationship with other constituent schools in which NCSSM-purchased equipment would be considered supported units at the university?

6. In loco parentis is practiced atNCSSM for its policies and procedures.

Identify potential in loco parentis responsibility dictated by UNCGA or areas of conflict.

What expectations exist for enforcement of technology standards?  (e.g. web filtering, firewall rules, web cameras, myspace.com, facebook.com)

What about copyright infringement?

What about RIAA imbroglio? Who’s responsible for occurrences of network-based intellectual property theft?

7. Technology training to technical staff, general staff and students is provided by NCSSM.

Possible certification/training standards for UNCGA technical personnel.

UNC System tech support.

Potential partnerships w/ sister institutions such as NCCU for common needs. (e.g. Perhaps NCSSM could use Router Programmers from NCCU.)

There may be opportunities for tech training for end-users as well as for the technical staff

Are there end-user training opportunities for things like Blackboard?

What certifications, if any, are required for a UNC technical position? (e.g. should NCSSM CIO have an advanced degree in comp. science, or MBA? Should all technical staff be MSCE or CCNA certified)

Is there collaboration among the constituents for various technology services?   Specialists?  Programming help?

Is there collaboration amongst the constituents for various technology services?   Specialists?  Programming help?

Are there training programs/opportunities for the technical staff in new and emerging technologies?

Is a Security Information Officer (SIO) position at the school required?

What are the GA committee or service obligations for all constituents?

8. NCSSM generates its own transcripts for students.

Possible electronic data interchange (EDI) of student records

Are there UNC institutions that use an electronic transfer of transcripts to other institutions?

9. Technology in the Classroom:

NCSSM teaches courses in

 - the traditional classroom,

 - through NCIH and

 - via web based courses

Expansion of our traditional classroom including making better use of virtual classroom technology

What are minimum classroom technology standards?

How are PDAs, iPods, etc. used in the classroom?

How are podcasts used across the system?

What’s the state of digital textbooks?