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COMPUTER FEEDBACK
APRIL 1 -- 30, 2000
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** As a service to the Student Senate we are posting their URL on our site **
http://www.umm.maine.edu/student.center/Senate/default.htm
** Note the Senate URL has changed **

In an attempt to keep this forum productive, we have compiled the following
from the feedback submissions.
Please review the Problems / Suggestions to determine if anything has been left out.
If it has, we encourage you to write to ummfeedback@hotmail.com
We will try to keep this updated as new suggestions come in so that
Academic Computing has a running tally of what needs to be done.
We will also omit what has been completed.
Updated April 15, 2000 pm

       PROBLEMS / SUGGESTIONS                POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS / COULD IT WORK?

Change to Macs

Equipment not working properly even if usable

"A" drive not readily accessible

Academic Computing uncommunicative

Often no printer paper/toner in computer labs

Residence hall hook-ups unreliable

Administration uncooperative

Labs closed when lab assistant doesn't show up

Residence hall rooms not connected for months

Student complaints ignored

Computer staff without technical expertise

Get into the Mac / PC debate

Untrained lab assistants

Lab assistants blamed for computer lab problems

Skilled lab assistants' talents ignored

Equipment of questionable quality

Low wages for computer staff

CLL fee misdirected

Unprofessional department

Inadequate amount of tech staff

Low enrollment and retention at UMM

UMM home page not updated

UNET needed to help out

Bad attitude toward UMM

              /

Scanners useless

Ghosting NOT complete in the computer labs

              /

Computer issues/problems remain

             "idle"--stagnant

Revamp the computer labs

Unable to get the administration's attention

UMM radio station has no Ethernet connection

Computer equipment inaccessible to many

Academic Computing hectic

No computer security

Maybe, but where would the money come from?

Fix everything--completely

Revert to old way / put instruction signs up

Keep us informed / respond to calls and emails

Keep supplies accessible to lab assistants

Repair or revamp residence hall connection

Start listening and ACTING on student concerns

Remove unreliable staff, have contingency plan

Hook them up

View students as consumers--not inconsequential

Hire technicians who are up to the task

Test a few Macs to determine which is preferred

Equip them for their job

Not good--realize they have no control or training

Utilize technical ability--Set up peer training (?)

Replace worn out with higher quality hardware

Raise the salary to attract quality applicants

Redirect that revenue to computer hardware

Academic Computing accountable/professional

Hire more techs until this situation is resolved

Make UMM more user friendly for students

Appoint/ask for volunteer/hire a web master

Don't use UNET as a permanent solution

Administration--fix problems causing bad

             attitudes / all cooperate toward that end

Connect them to printers in library & computer lab

If ghosting is the answer--ghost ALL labs the

             same

Let's get this resolved

              /

Ask for donations like UMM did for the CLL

"Organize a rally outside of Powers Hall"

Install it

Institute "Universal Design"

Hire enough staff and/or a secretary

Reinstitute the individual login and password

**PROBLEMS / SUGGESTIONS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS / COULD IT WORK?**
Change to Macs Equipment not working properly even if usable "A" drive not readily accessible Academic Computing uncommunicative Often no printer paper/toner in computer labs Residence hall hook-ups unreliable Administration uncooperative Labs closed when lab assistant doesn't show up Residence hall rooms not connected for months Student complaints ignored Computer staff without technical expertise Get into the Mac / PC debate Untrained lab assistants Lab assistants blamed for computer lab problems Skilled lab assistants' talents ignored Equipment of questionable quality Low wages for computer staff CLL fee misdirected Unprofessional department Inadequate amount of tech staff Low enrollment and retention at UMM UMM home page not updated UNET needed to help out Bad attitude toward UMM / Scanners useless Ghosting NOT complete in the computer labs / Computer issues/problems remain "idle"--stagnant Revamp the computer labs Unable to get the administration's attention UMM radio station has no Ethernet connection Computer equipment inaccessible to many Academic Computing hectic No computer security	Maybe, but where would the money come from? Fix everything--completely Revert to old way / put instruction signs up Keep us informed / respond to calls and emails Keep supplies accessible to lab assistants Repair or revamp residence hall connection Start listening and ACTING on student concerns Remove unreliable staff, have contingency plan Hook them up View students as consumers--not inconsequential Hire technicians who are up to the task Test a few Macs to determine which is preferred Equip them for their job Not good--realize they have no control or training Utilize technical ability--Set up peer training (?) Replace worn out with higher quality hardware Raise the salary to attract quality applicants Redirect that revenue to computer hardware Academic Computing accountable/professional Hire more techs until this situation is resolved Make UMM more user friendly for students Appoint/ask for volunteer/hire a web master Don't use UNET as a permanent solution Administration--fix problems causing bad attitudes / all cooperate toward that end Connect them to printers in library & computer lab If ghosting is the answer--ghost ALL labs the same Let's get this resolved / Ask for donations like UMM did for the CLL "Organize a rally outside of Powers Hall" Install it Institute "Universal Design" Hire enough staff and/or a secretary Reinstitute the individual login and password

May 1, 2000
A student writes: Like Dorothy Barker, I have also been a student at both UMM and USM. In the computer labs at USM, they
always have two lab assistants on duty. One is there for technical problems and the other is there to print
off papers. Yes, it sounds stupid that they have someone printing off everyone's papers. But it's actually
very effective. You type out your paper, hit Print, and go to the lab assistant at his/her special computer that
is only for printing documents. You tell them what computer you're at, and they look up the printing job on
the schedule they have, and print it out. This cuts down on porn and other documents being printed that shouldn't be using school funds. It's all very fast and they're friendly and knowledgeable. Here at UMM, we
don't know what people are printing off. Some people don't know how to print properly. There was someone
in the lab the other day who wanted to print just one page off of a 73 page Internet site, but she didn't know how to do that, so she printed the whole thing. So 72 pages got wasted so she could have that one page of information. Obviously, this was not her fault because she didn't know what she was doing. This could have been prevented if we had a system like USM's. Anytime someone wants a small amount of information from
a website, I tell them to copy and paste it into word.
The lab assistants here do not get any training. I have been one all year and people get upset with me for
not knowing certain things, like how to use PowerPoint. People assume that because I work there, I know everything about every program on the computers. Morale is a problem for lab assistants. It would be so
easy to show up for a day shift, sign in, and leave and get paid for it. No one would know. I'm not endorsing
that idea, of course, just stating that the heads of academic computing never seem to be around, especially when they're needed.
I hope some changes are made for next year. I'm just glad that I won't be working in there anymore.
Mike Colucci
** Editor's Note **
Perhaps a list of simple instructions on how to cut & paste from the web that could be permanently
posted in the computer labs would be in order.
Posted instructions on what to do for certain printer foul ups, etc. couldn't hurt either.
Some of the rest of you have attended other colleges, what were the computer labs like where
you have been?

April 26, 2000
A student writes:

I take conservation biology and to do our lab we require the ecolab program. This program is installed
on the few computers left in the small computer lab. About a month ago that comp lab was reduced to 6
or so computers, with I think all of them containing this program. However, only 3 of these 6 computers
are hooked up to the printer. This ecolab program generates demographic trends and graphs that we use
to analyze population information. We need to print off these graphs for our labs. Well since there are only
3 computers with these programs on them in the ENTIRE campus that can print, it puts a major strain on people that need to do these labs. Of course the computers in that lab that are taken first are the ones that can print. So if there are classes in the other two main labs, and people are forced to move to the 6 computer lab, it is nearly impossible for people to do work that can be printed. Why isn't this program on EVERY computer? It doesn't take up very much space... probably a meg or so... so what is the big deal? The computer lab
managers made it so we can't install and new programs or access the D drive to all the comps, so we can't
even do it ourselves... Yes this was done to eliminate people using chats, icq, IM, etc, that slow the server
but come on now. Either make it so all the comps have the same programs or at least give us the option of putting them on ourselves! So what if people put games on the computers, most don't play them until late
at night when the labs are virtually empty. We paid our lab fee.
Signed: Joe Musante, disgruntled on campus/off campus/on campus again student
** EDITOR"S NOTE **
It has been brought to our attention that the remaining computers in T25 also do not have CD drives,
which makes it difficult for students taking certain business courses to get their work accomplished
when the other labs are being used for classes. During those times the library is overburdened
and it is nearly impossible to find a computer that fits all the criteria needed to accomplish
even basic tasks.

April 23, 2000
All feedback is posted unless otherwise specified, so we have not heard from anyone since the 15th.
Student write:

I just want to drop you a quick note. First I would like to say great job on the website.
It has brought many things to light on this campus. Now I would like to comment on your revelations that
come from President Breece's comments on technology. The entire summary of what he gave did not deal
with the computer labs in whole, but in part. It was a campus update on technology...the entire campus.
Which is what he has done. He gave an update on what has been happening. It all deals with the
technology found on campus. Sure, it doesn't address the computer labs, but it does deal with what
technology issues we do have on campus. So, I have to agree with Breece's report. He is getting things
done in the way of technology on campus. The computer lab issue wasn't directly dealt with, but many
other issues were. The issue with the wiring of the dorms is very near and dear to me. My connection is
horrible. I never seem to be able to keep my connection for more then 20 minutes at a time. The reason
that more people are connecting in the dorms has nothing to do with the computer lab really. The reason
there are more hookups is due to the fact that more students own computers these days. More people can
afford them and therefore more are bringing theirs to school. If you have a computer it is more convinient
to have a hook up in your room then to have to visit the computer lab whenever you want to hop on
the net.
Just wanted to let you know that the report deals with technology on this campus and not just with
our poor computer labs.
Have I seen improvement in the labs? Yes and no. The printers still run out of toner and paper.
The moniters on several of the screens are solid a shade of purple or red in T-23. However, most of the computers, except for maybe one, actually work in T-23. A major improvement of a month ago.
Most of the necessary programs and such are now found on the machines as well. Sure, more work
needs to be done, but it is slowly improving. Given time it will be better, but we just have to wait.
Hopefully not too long though.
Just throwing in my two cents.
[Signed] I'm just a little UMM student
** Editor's Note ** Our point exactly. It seems that the student concerns raised in this paper remain unaddressed for the most part.

I have a gripe about the technology fees that we pay here at UMM. The technology fee here is around $150
per year, but for those of us who get Internet connections in our room, it's an additional $100. Then we
get charged $10 per lab science course, which includes statistics, calculus (1 hour spent in the lab per week),
and meteorology (asynchronous). Why does it include these? We've already paid the technology fee;
shouldn't that fee include any computer use for those two courses?
$100 for in-room access is ridiculous. They also charge (or used to charge) $75 for an ethernet card. I went to
USM for a semester, and these prices were considerably lower: $50 and $35, respectively. What exactly are
we paying for in the dorms? Shouldn't that fee be included in the technology fee?
In late December/early January, I got my spring semester bill and promptly paid it in full on the 7th of January.
I went to sign up for courses last week and there was a hold on my account. I couldn't sign up for classes. So I went to the billing office and they said I hadn't paid my in-room internet fee yet. Well why wasn't it on my
bill when it was sent to my house? Because they added the charge on March 27th! This is absolutely ridiculous! But I didn't make a fuss. I paid it and signed up for courses. But what if that extra day of not being able to sign
up for courses had caused me to miss a class that I needed because it was too full? Can't they inform us
when charges have been added and a hold has been put on our accounts?
I would really like to see someone look into our fees.
Mike Colucci
** Editor's Note **
Good question! Will forward this to those who may have an answer. Will keep you posted.

April 15, 2000
A Student writes:

Well this is almost too much of a coincidence, but remember what I wrote yesterday? Ignore it all!
The reading room in the library has been open for 1 year, and WORD97 has finally been installed on
those computers. In addition the A drive is accessible, and the printer--which has been out of order since the summer--now is working. Instructions to save to disk are taped on the front of the monitors, you can access
your floppy through the start menu, and the printer did a wonderful job on my test items. Apparently the
work was being done yesterday as I was composing my letter. The reading room started out with 5
computers, 2 had been out of order for ever, but there are now 4 working computers. I had no trouble
getting into sites online, but the girl next to me did, so some fine tuning needs to be done.
Nevertheless, I guess you need to scratch the reading room off of the list of computer problems.
Linda Schofield
** Editor's Note **
Consider it done!

By the way, has everyone filed their taxes?

April 14, 2000
Student write:

I am surprised that no one has commented on this yet, but I am appalled that the reading room in the
library has been ignored for so long. As we saw on the Computer Issues page, 2 of the 5 computers
(there are only 3 in there now) are out of order and have been for eons, and the remaining 3 take turns
being slow or useless. In addition, the printer only worked for about a month after the reading room
was opened. If you bring a disk with you (and you can access the A drive), that shouldn't be an
insurmountable problem, and I understand it is hard to monitor the paper in an unattended room.
However, the bigger issue is that Office97 has never been installed on ANY of the reading room computers.
The whole purpose of opening it was to give students a place to do their school work when the computer
labs were not open. Am I wrong? If not, then what is the sense of supplying a 24 hour room to school work in
if it is not possible to compose in there? At present, about all one can do in the reading room is check email
and surf the web. It is impossible even to save what is found on the web because the floppy drive is inaccessible. I suppose if WORD was installed on those computers there would be a whole lot more
complaints because after doing all the work you would find out that you couldn't save it anyway. As I understand it, there has been a work order in to get a word processing program installed on the reading
room computers since it was opened, and in December it was stated that the library reading room was
on the high priorities list.
Wonder how long one would wait for something on the LOW priorities list?
Linda Schofield

Dr. Kemp did not cancel her appearance at the Senate Meeting of April 12.
The Senate canceled the meeting due to a large number of Senators having to
greet and interview one of the presidential candidates. It was felt that
all Senators should be present to hear Dr. Kemp's address. I can tell you
personally from talking to Dr. Kemp's office that she is enthusiastic and
anxious to talk to the Senate about Academic Computing and looks forward to
the opportunity. As soon as I can confirm her April 19th appearance I will
let you know. I will be speaking with Dr. Lehman and Marilyn, extending
their invitations to speak also.
Reid

April 13, 2000
Mailbox has been QUIET:

** Editor's note **
DISAPPOINTMENT
Yesterday's Student Senate meeting was disappointing on two levels. Dr. Kemp was rescheduled at
that last minute and it was hoped that more students would have been able to make an appearance.
We have not received confirmation, but as we understand Dr. Kemp will address the Student
Senate on April 19, 2000 at 12:30pm--no official word on if Dr. Lehman will also reschedule.
In any event, you will read about it here.

April 10, 2000
A faculty member responds:

As an instructor in T-21, I was very impressed and surprised to see the
computers up and running, this Monday morning, after the return of power on
the same day (early hour of the morning).
Thanks again for who ever put forth the effort.
Richard Larson
** Editor's Note **
Let us know how the computer system in general is running after the break.
Any progress?
We need to hear the good as well as the not so good, WHATEVER the case may be.

April 4, 2000
A student writes with news of a response from Academic Affairs:

[ISSUE ONE]
On April 12 at 12:15 pm Dr Kemp will be addressing the [Student] Senate
on Academic Computing Issues.
At 1 pm Dr Lehman will be addressing the Senate on the
historical perspective of Academic Computing.   While this forum will be
open to all students, as are all of our meetings, it is necessary to
establish some guidelines.
   1. The meeting will be moderated by Senate President Jake Eastman.
   2. Dr. Kemp will be addressed directly by the Senate. If Dr. Kemp, or Dr. Lehman
wish to address any members of the Student Body it will be their choice.
   3. We expect all students and Senate members to be respectful to everyone.

This is a good opportunity to hear Dr. Kemp, and what she has to say regarding
the issue of Academic Computing, and I personally thank her for accepting
the invitation, and Dr. Lehman, for willing to address us about his concerns.

ISSUE TWO
I have had some down time and have had a lot of time to reflect on
some of my postings here.
It is evident that I am upset, frustrated and angry with the overall
situation, and my personal situation with the WUMM Ethernet problem.
But, I would just like to say that my letter of March 29th to this paper was a
bit inflammatory and somewhat disrespectful. Although I did not realize it
at the time, some of the comments I reported to you were spoken to me in
confidence and although the person talking to me did not specifically say,
"This conversation is off the record", I perhaps should have realized that
it was. I regret this error of judgment and apologize to anyone I offended.

ISSUE THREE
I think we have all vented a lot of pent up anger and steam. There has been
no official response and I think some of it (mine included) has been counter productive.
I think it is time to stop the infighting and accept Dr. Kemp's gesture to
meet with the Senate as a positive step in showing her willingness to
confront the issues and address them to the Student Senate,
which is the representative of the student body.
Reid D. Albee
** Editor's note **
We hope that ALL students will make an effort to attend this first attempt at communication
by the administration.
Since many of us are angry over the computer situation here at UMM,
please use this opportunity to listen--as opposed to shout.
Bring a note book to jot down questions that come to mind, so that if the speakers
do allow audience participation you will be prepared to do so in an intelligent manner.
Bear in mind that Dr. Kemp may not have knowledge of or answers for the technical problems
UMM is facing. Dr. Kemp is the Vice President of Academic Affairs,
not the head of Academic Computing.
Perhaps, following Dr. Kemp's lead,
the head of Academic Computing will also agree to meet with the Student Senate.

** As a service to the Student Senate we are posting their URL on our site **
http://www.umm.maine.edu/student.center/Senate/default.htm
** Note the Senate URL has changed **

** As of March 24th we have started to add the names of those who give their permission to do so. **
All others will be listed as they direct, by initials only or anonymously.

** Spelling errors have been corrected, but content has not been altered without notation. **

** Objectionable language and personal attacks will be edited out of submissions. **
Let's keep this forum productive.

Contact ummfeedback@hotmail.com
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