Lab Management Quarterly Report

Lab Management's fourth quarter of operation focused on completing critical changes in operations and with starting upgrades and renovations scheduled for summer 2001. The quarter corresponds to the spring 2001 academic quarter. Clients reported no major problems and computer rooms operated at optimum efficiency and provided appropriate customer service throughout the quarter. While maintaining its efficiency and effectiveness, Lab Management initiated and completed several initiatives during the quarter.

Seven goals were identified of which five were completed during the quarter.

Fourth Quarter Goals

Status: Completed

In meeting a request from campus clients to provide greater flexibility in printing, reduce paper waste, and provide a more environmentally friendly printing, Lab Management deployed duplex printing in all 15 of its computer rooms. Duplex printing allows people to print on both the front and back part of a sheet of paper. Previously, only single sided printing was possible. Clients can now choose to either print single or double sided. The default is set to double sided.

Lab Management established a pilot duplex printing lab in 307 SurgeIV in the Spring 2000 Quarter. The pilot program established the facility as duplex printing only and single sided printing was not possible in that facility. We surveyed and tabulated the results in the following summer. Clients overwhelmingly gave positive feedback on duplex printing. They also suggested that duplex printing be an option rather than a requirement to allow students to print papers single sided as instructors request them for final submission.

The results of the survey can be obtained at http://lm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/survey/duplex_summer00.html.

Status:In Progress

Lab Management worked with the Office of the Vice Provost of Information and Educational Technology to establish and execute a campus wide communication plan on charging for printing. The plan included emails to students, staff, and faculty computer room users. In addition, key staff and administrative people were informed in various emails and publications. As part of this process, Lab Management completed a communication fact sheet and a web page to address potential questions and inform the campus about the change in policy. The web page can be viewed at http://lm.ucdavis.edu/rooms/printing/.

During the next quarter, Lab Management expects to complete this goal and work specifically on communications to faculty and key administrators. We will work with the Arbor and the Teaching Resources Center in addition to the Office of the Vice Provost to reach faculty.

Status: Completed

A Quicktime Streaming Video Server was used to demonstrate the effectiveness of utilizing video streaming technology in distributing academic video. During the Spring 2001 Quarter, students taking Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior (NPB) 101L class were required to view a 13 minute long video teaching them how to prepare for a frog disection. Previously, students checked out a VHS tape and viewed the tape individually. Only one tape was available for the entire class. With the pilot project, as many as 15 people could have watched the video from one of the Media Distribution Lab's iMac multimedia workstations at 1101 Hart Hall. Students were given the option to check out the tape rather than use a computer to view the video.

Clients who viewed the streaming content were asked to evaluate the experience of the service. Out of 52 respondents, 71% felt that the 320x200 video size was large enough, 88% felt that the video quality was sufficient, 80% would prefer to watch the video on the computer rather than checkout the VHS videotape copy, and 75% would like to see similar material made available in Quicktime streaming video format.

The video stream web page can be found at http://streamer.ucdavis.edu/npb101l.html.

4. Assist in Classroom Support Unit reorganization activities

Status: Completed

Lab Management completed providing logistical support in planning and scheduling room renovations for the Classroom Support Unit. As part of the Classroom Support Unit, Lab Management assisted in the creation of a central location for technical support staff. Electrical, carpentry, and networking work was required to establish a functional work area in the new location at 16 Art Annex. This includes rewiring and moving work benches and moving telephone wiring and equipment. Assistance was provided in initial design as well as scheduling work with Facilities and Communication Resources. Lab Management followed up on minor changes and quality assurance issues regarding the relocation project.

Logistical assistance was also provided in consolidating the Audio-Visual Services Desk and the Computer and Printer Repair front desk. A new consolidated service desk area was established in 10 Art Annex to improve customer service and streamline front desk operations.

Status: In Progress

The Media Distribution Lab at Hart Hall and Playback Center in Olson Hall began to consolidate video playback materials and services during the Spring 2001 Quarter. More than 1300 VHS video tapes and 600 Umatic tapes were transferred between the two locations. The consolidation is intended to improve both units' ability to serve faculty needs in the areas of academic video access. In the future, faculty will have a single point of contact for all video playback needs. VHS copies of all videos will be available for checkout from the Media Distribution Lab located in 1101 Hart Hall. Outdated video formats, such as Betamax and Umatic, will be archived in the tape library in Olson Hall. Some video formats have been and will be converted to VHS format. This project is expected to be completed by the start of the fall 2001 academic quarter.

The consolidation of tapes coincides with a larger plan to standardize classroom media services and equipment. Previously, general assignment classrooms were equipped with television monitors that linked to the Playback Center which was then responsible for playing the video at instructor's requests during class time. Since VHS tape players are more prevalent in classrooms and are expected to be installed in all general assignment classrooms, instructors can now check out the tape and use the VHS players in the classrooms.

Status: Completed

During the Spring 2001 Quarter, Lab Management completed planning and scheduling activities for major and minor facilities renovations as well as equipment upgrades for summer 2001. Nine computer rooms are planned to receive either facilities work or equipment upgrades or both before the start of the fall 2001 academic quarter. Scheduling work has become increasingly difficult as Lab Management facilities continue to be highly utilized during the summer months. The large number of scheduled summer activities is also dependent on the availability of electricians, carpenters, and painters to complete renovations work. A project plan was completed and posted at the Lab Management office. One room is expected to be completed before the start of the next quarter.

7. Upgrade Equipment in the New Media Classroom

Status: Completed

In an effort to maintain the quality of equipment and services in the New Media Computer Classroom, 27 Macintosh G4's were installed in 1102 Hart Hall. The new computers include built-in CD-RW and 250MB ZIP drives to accommodate the removable storage device needs of classes that create large multimedia graphics files. Slimmer 15" digital flat panel displays were installed to improve sight lines to the projection screen, whiteboard and instructor and to provide more tabletop workspace for our clients. This upgrade is part of the normal 3-year cycle which ensures that the media equipment keeps pace with the campus' needs. The upgrades were performed during the week between finals week and the first week of Summer Session I so that it did not impact any academic classes that use the classroom for instruction.

Upgrades to the room included the installation of new flatbed and film scanners. Six new flatbed scanners were installed including five Umax Astra 4000U and one high quality UMAX Powerlook 1100 flatbed scanner. Both scanners are 42 bit, 1200 optical DPI scanners. The Powerlook offers greater optical density and allows instructors to show students the capabilities of design industry grade scanners. Two Kodak Professional RFS 3600 Film Scanners were installed. In addition to providing higher quality scanning, these machines are more durable and are expected to function with fewer breakdowns in the high utilization public computing environment.

Lab Management completed five of seven goals set for spring 2001. During summer 2001, Lab Management expects to focus its efforts on room renovation and upgrade projects. These projects are critical to supporting the campus' academic mission and must be completed before the start of the 2001-2002 academic year.