Legislature(2005 - 2006)BELTZ 211
03/29/2005 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB59 | |
| SB132 | |
| SB143 | |
| SB26 | |
| HJR8 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 59 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 132 | ||
| = | SB 143 | ||
SB 143-STATE INFO SYSTEM PLAN: LEGISLATURE
4:40:48 PM
CHAIR THERRIAULT announced SB 143 to be up for consideration. He
informed members that an amendment was adopted during the first
hearing on SB 143 and discussion took place regarding whether
the University of Alaska should be removed along with the
Legislature.
He reported that Pete Kelly gave two reasons why the university
should be taken out of Department of Administration IT system.
First, the university deals with super computers and IT that is
out of the ordinary. Second, as an educational institution,
hardware and software manufacturers frequently approach the
university with special deals. He asked Mr. Smith to respond.
STEVE SMITH, University of Alaska Anchorage, related that as a
public educational system, the university receives special
pricing on software, hardware, applications and sometimes
telecommunications.
The university uses an Oracle database system behind the core
applications and Oracle gives the university an educational
price for that. Similarly, the university uses the Microsoft
desktop utility and it receives special educational pricing. Sun
hardware is used in research and a distinct price advantage is
given. About 40 percent of the computers on the Fairbanks campus
are Apple and the university receives special pricing for those.
In addition to the special pricing, the university uses
applications that are specific to the university. For instance
the student information-system application is specific for
university use. It keeps track of student transcripts and
records and to make sure the university adheres to FERPA laws
relating to student privacy. In addition the university uses a
course management system that is specific to higher education.
The application makes it possible for instructors to put course
information on-line.
Furthermore there are needs that are specific, special, and
unique to a university system such as research and instruction.
With the high-performance computing and networking, specifically
with the supercomputer in Fairbanks but also with other
departments, there are specific needs for databases or systems
used to collect and analyze data for research. This, he said, is
tied closely to instruction. Examples of that are the CISCO
academies that are run through a number of the campuses to train
students on networking. There are specific separate setups to be
able to do that kind of training. For research and instruction
to be cutting-edge the university must use a variety of systems.
MR. SMITH said while they adhere to university wide standards,
flexibility is needed to meet research and instructional
demands. For example, the university partners with other
universities to work on Internet II, which is the next
generation Internet. Internet II has set standards that the
university must adhere to so that the researchers can
collaborate. Students also have access to that. Those standards
may not be the same as those used within state government, but
those are the standards that work for the university.
Certain contributions and partnerships are made specifically for
use by the university. Contributions have come from Alaska Fiber
Star and GCI and other carriers with the specific criterion that
it only be used for education and research. Partnerships with
other universities and research entities are not uncommon so
applications need to be in line with other education and
research institutions.
"We would like you to consider that the university may have
similar consideration to the judicial and legislative branches,"
he said. In closing he said the university adheres to standards
and works to coordinate, collaborate and share with state
agencies whenever possible.
4:49:37 PM
CHAIR THERRIAULT noted that the Board of Regents is
constitutionally charged with setting policy for the university
system. He questioned whether it had established an overall IT
policy for the university.
MR. SMITH answered yes and he is the chief IT officer. That is a
defined officer in university policy and it describes his areas
of responsibility and his duties. New policy was instituted at
the last board meeting to include language to require all IT
investments to be reviewed through his office. Finally, the most
extensive language in policy relates to user rights and
expectations.
SENATOR WAGONER asked what kind of time constraint his office
places on itself when it reviews IT requests for change or new
equipment.
MR. SMITH replied the actual policy language doesn't describe
how it would be done and all the procedures aren't in place
since this was just passed at the last board meeting. However,
in practice it would be coordinated with the procurement offices
at each main campus. With the delegation it means that at
appropriate places those practices and the review process will
be reviewed, but if something doesn't look right the central
office would become involved.
CHAIR THERRIAULT asked Mr. Peterson if he could offer an opinion
from the Administration.
MR. PETERSON replied the Administration has no problem with the
university being exempt from the definition of state agency. He
added, "Any other agency of the state though we would like to
have a discussion about that. Only because there is an internal
process within the Administration for that to occur."
CHAIR THERRIAULT moved conceptual AMENDMENT 2 to include the
university in the list of exempt agencies. There being no
objection, conceptual AMENDMENT 2 passed.
There were no further questions or testimony. He noted the zero
fiscal note and asked Senator Wagoner for a motion.
SENATOR WAGONER motioned to report CSSB 143(STA) and attached
zero fiscal note from committee with individual recommendations.
CHAIR THERRIAULT announced that without objection, it was so
ordered.
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