Lab Management Quarterly Report

Fourth Quarter (4/3/98 - 6/30/98)

Lab Management continued its efforts to increase general access facilities and to improve computer classrooms. During Spring 98, Lab Management prepared for several major and minor Summer upgrades and renovation projects. Activities included finalizing agreements, plans and financing to open a new computer facility in the MU to meet student needs. Lab Management also continued to work on two previous quarter goals: compiling the faculty survey and upgrades to 1154 Meyer.

Fourth Quarter Goals

1. Create an agreement and plans to establish a new computer facility in the MU

Status: Completed

Lab Management worked with Student Affairs, MU Auxiliary Services, and CURB (Campus Unions and Recreation Board) to establish a new general access facility in the MU. The facility is intended to meet student needs for general access computing. This marked a unique agreement between IT and campus organizations to work together to meet student needs. The MU East Conference room was identified as the space for the future general access facility. Classified as a computer lounge, the Station will be managed by the Lab Management group until the year 2001. The facility will be open by Fall 98.

2. Plan for major and minor Summer projects

Status: Completed

With several facilities scheduled for renovation in Summer of 98, planning was a major activity for Spring 98. Lab Management worked with Facilities Services to schedule work orders and identify critical paths in the project plan. Lab Management consulted faculty to ensure that computer classroom improvements addressed needs and resolve past shortcomings. Lab Management created a project plan that covered upgrades and renovations in 1101/1102 Hart Hall, TB114, 1131 Meyer and 247 Olson. As part of the process, Lab Managment identified standards for equipment and furniture in computer facilities. After standards were set, over 100 computers were ordered and work was scheduled with Facilities Services to build custom furniture.

3. Compile and publish the Winter 98 faculty survey

Status:Completed

Lab Management compiled information from a survey of 51 faculty members who taught in various campus computer rooms during Fall 97. Of the surveys sent out, 27 responded and showed a favorable opinion of Lab Management staff and services. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the best, lab managers and student support staff were given an average score of 1.7. The general facility received an average score of 1.95 while the computer equipment received an average of 1.9. The survey identified problem areas such as the projection systems which received one of the lowest ratings at 2.2. The compiled results can be viewed on the web at http://lm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/survey/faculty_w98/.

4. Upgrade 1154 Meyer hardware and software to improve the performance and reliability in the media production lab.

Status:In Progress

Lab Management decided to delay the scheduled PC upgrades in 1154 Meyer. The delay was intended to take advantage of bulk pricing by attaching the order to computers ordered for Summer 98 upgrades. This decision minimized down time in the New Media Lab by performing the upgrades during the less active Summer months.

Lab Management successfully completed three of the four goals set for Spring 98 while deciding to roll the completion of goal #4 into Summer 98. Spring saw a greater effort to work with various campus organizations and faculty to meet the needs of the University. Student groups appreciated the efforts IT made in negotiating for general access space while faculty enjoyed the opportunity to provide input in improving computer classrooms such as 1101/1102 Hart and 247 Olson.

Lab Management intends to complete the 1154 Meyer computer upgrades and bring all project plans to completion in the first quarter of fiscal year 98-99. The numerous projects are expected to take all the resources of Lab Management staff and students.

Comments: pgblando@ucdavis.edu  URL: http://lm.ucdavis.edu/pubs/labrep/spring98/  Last updated: Nov 9, 1998