Task Force, Information Technology in the Undergraduate Curriculum
Minutes, January 3, 2001
Prepared by Barbara Wildemuth

Attending:  Rich Beckman, Jeff Cannon, Bert Dempsey, Richard Edwards, Stephanie Haas, Doug Kelly, Marian Moore, Greg Newby, Deborah Walters, Steve Weiss, Barbara Wildemuth (chair)

I.	Change in Task Force Members

Bert Dempsey will be on leave during the 2001 calendar year and will be unable to serve on the task force.  Stephanie Haas, Associate Professor in SILS, has been named to replace Bert on the task force.

II.	Introductory Remarks from Provost Edwards

Provost Edwards thanked the task force members for their efforts (past and continuing) on behalf of the University.  He noted that the financial status of the University in the near future is uncertain; while additional funds may be received for the expected increasing enrollment, a budget reduction is also expected.  Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that the proposal submitted by SILS can be accepted by the University administration.  He also noted that the task force has been unable to find significant efficiencies for this effort via interdisciplinary efforts.  One possible approach would be for SILS to submit a greatly-reduced proposal to the administration during the budget briefings in the spring.

III.	Discussion of SILS Proposal

Wildemuth had distributed a draft recommendation, for consideration by the task force.  It proposed endorsement of the SILS proposal, as currenctly conceived.  This draft was found unacceptable to most members of the task force.

Two alternatives considered were:
•	A much smaller proposal for a major (requesting 1-2 additional faculty lines), or
•	Expansion of the current SILS minor.

Additional discussion focused on the content of the current proposal.  It is unclear that we’re aware of the approaches being taken by UNC’s peer institutions (only about half of which currently have graduate programs in information and library science; none of these programs are ranked as highly as SILS); it might be worthwhile to investigate this further.

IV.	Preparation for Next Meeting

In preparation for our meeting on January 16, each member of the task force is asked to draft a one-sentence recommendation for the incoming Provost and forward it to Wildemuth, who will compile them.

The next meeting will be held on January 16, 1:00-2:30, in room 215 Manning Hall. (N.B.: Note change of room.)