Eastern Oregon University

Tech-Fee Committee Minutes

October 12, 2006

Members Present:   Charles Martin, Steffany Long, Linda Fratztke, Carolyn Bloyed, Janet Hume-Schwarz, Anna Cavinato

Resource Members Present:  Paul Rowan, Mike Sirrine, Anna Maria Dill, Karen Clay, Shirley Roberts, Helen Moore

Tech Fee Committee met on this date at 7:00 am in Pierce Library 114.

The minutes from May 11, 2006 were discussed and approved as submitted

New members, Charles Martin, Carolyn Bloyed, Janet Hume-Schwarz and Karen Clay were introduced.

Helen distributed copies of last year’s final budget reconciliation and noted that she expects approximately $160,000.00 to be available again this year to fund Tech Fee proposals.

Linda gave a brief overview of the committee charge and referred committee members to the Tech Fee webpage for more information.

The deadline for submission of new proposals this year is October 27th.  Linda suggested that the committee reinstate the policy of inviting proposers to attend a meeting and explain their proposals to the committee.  Committee members agreed that this was a good idea – especially for proposals that needed additional clarification.

Steffany reminded the committee that Jeff Dunbar is no longer here so someone else will need to serve as the reviewer for student proposals.   It was suggested that Danny Aynes be asked to replace Jeff Dunbar in this capacity.  Linda will confirm that he is willing.  If he is, Steffany will contact Student Activities and ask them to let students know of the change.

Paul asked that the committee review the job description for the Tech Fee Inventory student position.  Helen said that the one currently in place is a generic one for an inventory clerk but she had already spoken to Jon Norris, the supervisor of that position, about preparing a more detailed document.  She plans to have the revised position description available at the next meeting.

Linda brought up a discussion of the possible need for a formal long-term accounting of prior year proposals.  She asked the committee to consider whether or not it should undertake this type of study and what process could be used for requesting the necessary information.   It was suggested that a sub-committee be formed to review last year’s project completion reports.  Helen will send another reminder to those whose proposals were funded last year and still have not turned in a Project completion report. 

Steffany asked the committee to reconsider having Tech Fee fully fund lab aides in the General Purpose Labs.  Currently 30% of the cost of lab aides in Ackerman and Pierce General Purpose Labs are paid by IT.   One suggestion of how to do that without too much additional cost to the Tech was to have Ackerman only open 8-5 Monday through Friday.  Steffany will check into surveying the use in the labs to determine how heavily the labs are used and when.

The next meeting is scheduled for 7:00am on November 9th in the Pierce Library Conference Room.

Minutes submitted by Helen Moore