Language Lab Meeting

October 17, 2002

Present

Akers-Martin, Amelia
Burrell, Jim
Chan, Marsha
Delongchamp, Jim
Hacker, Jody
McKay, Dianne
Pabich, Phil
Rivas, Monica

Quick Update


Marsha has been speaking with the funding people and working on developing the grant. She has also been in contact with vendors; Genesis is still on the top of the list as of right now (cost is $150,000+). The IS team is working to see if our network meets the Genesis specifications and it can be run on our network. The team is putting together a test situation to check the software and will report on the viability of the Genesis product. Marsha is also looking at Rosetta stone software since a language lab component has been added to the software. Monica and Marsha have been meeting to discuss scheduling and usage of the lab(s). Marsha took the class priority from ESL department about what should be scheduled in the lab and created a sample schedule. Marsha distributed Language Lab schedule samples.

Jim D. stated that these schedules show a need for each department to have their own lab space. He would like to see the ESL have their own lab and brought this idea to the table as a solution.
Jody added that this is a good representation of the demand for the space and the departments would plan to cooperate even if there are two separate plans.

Monica distributed an ESL/FL Lab Solution explaining the use of one room is unrealistic and impossible to meet the needs of either department. Monica explained she thought it would be difficult to use the LATC because of the noise level foreign language classes make. In S2-501, FOLA would like to have an LCD projector and screen. The room would be like a multimedia room/classroom where 8 computers can be networked (currently there are 4 computers). Issues are what to do with carels. FOLA would like the round or oblong tables in S2-501 to use as classroom and drop-in center.


There is an issue of not having a certificated person available during open lab hours. As long as a certificated person is in proximity, it is okay. With the possible reduction of positions, the LATC faculty will need to be utilized to meet the Ed Code in this area.
Dianne explained the economies of scale idea where we will probably cut positions (not people) next year. The other piece of this is that the instructional side of the house has been asked to do an audit of the instructional side (get an accounting of where all staff positions are, who is doing what, what's going on, what are the core functions, and what positions could be cut). It looks like the State's deficit is much larger than originally thought so we may be cut in funding next year in addition to the $2+million deficit we were expecting. Jim B. added that since now we are looking at eliminating approximately 10 positions, the function is cut and not reassigned to someone else.

Issues:

Phil's Generous Monetary Donation

Jim D. suggested FOLA come up with a dollar figure for demolition, electrical work, furniture, 8 computers, and LCD projector/screen.

Dianne suggested we come up with a plan to demolish the carels (Monica recommended doing this during the summer).
For the demolition and electrical, Cal Baker would need to be contacted and the department would be charged for these services.
Look at furniture, equipment costs and contact Ann Matheson for cost estimates.
Jim D. recommended Phil's donation be split (not necessarily equally) between both departments. Phil agrees with this.
Marsha suggested we compare WSCH/FTE to determine the split percentage.
Jim D. shared some WSCH/FTE information and advocated for departments to split the money.
Jim B. recommended the departments put together some concrete numbers on costs for the two labs.

Facilities

Jim B. stated from a facilities standpoint this is a no-brainer and Facilities/Safety Committee will probably agree to make E2-401 the ESL lab and re-organize the S2-501 making it more appropriate for FOLA usage.

Jody raised the concern about ESL not having all of the money to create an ESL lab and not having a classroom for a semester or so.

Dianne stated that Cliff Monroe has a program called STRUT, which is a recycling of computers from industry-this may be an option and Cliff should be contacted. Mission is the top of the food chain for STRUT and we always get the first line of computers. There is an issue of service because IT would not service these computers but STRUT would (Robert Guest).

Marsha stated the language lab software is pretty specialized stuff and she doesn't expect the Genesis software to need to be updated very often. This is not like teaching a software package that needs to be upgraded often. There may be some MAC computers from E2-401 may be used in S2-501. The Instructional Technology Committee determines who gets computers and so we would have to work with this committee to see if we could move these computers to S2-501.

The "loan" is a front for the grant money until that funding comes in. Marsha stated that Cindy Sch??? sounded very positive for fundraising.

Agreement

We have agreed on two rooms:

Next Steps

Next Meeting will be Thursday, 11/7 Noon to 1:30 pm in Conference Room S1.

Meeting notes submitted by Jennifer Ludwick

Multimedia Language Lab Project