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The Reporter, March 1993

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  • The Reporter is a publication produced by Western Carolina University featuring news, events, and campus community updates for faculty and staff. The publication began in August of 1970 and continues digitally today. Click on the link in the “Related Mate
  • Rep\Nlose\w M isf* frorm 4/hK/te% CFr*ae/Mcu i ll4t-\y / arnd SCN t aff of Western Carolina University March 1993 1 Cullowhee, North Carolina Adcock 'celebration' set for March 22 M Adcock embers of the university community will gather in the Music Recital Hall on Monday, March 22, for a "celebration of life" musical service in memory of Dr. Eva Adcock, professor emeritus of music, who died March 7. The service, set for noon, is to include works selected by Adcock with Dr. James Dooley, vice chancellor for university services, who will conduct music for the program. Adcock's family plans a memorial service for 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at First Presbyterian Church of Sylva. A native of San Pedro, California, Adcock was a member of Western's music faculty for twenty-two years. She retired in 1992, but continued to coordinate the university's Orff-Schulwerk music training programs, through which she had brought national and international attention to WCU. Adcock played a major role in organizing the traditional music activities for Mountain Heritage Day and last year received the Mountain Heritage Day Award for Distinguished Service. Wanted: your ideas on graduation rates Bring your thoughts on graduation rates to any or all of a series of "brown bag" lunchtime discus­sions to be sponsored by the Office of Academic Services on three Tuesdays in March and April. Dr. Michael Malone, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, will lead the discussions to generate information for a plan he will write this year for improving undergraduate graduation rates at WCU. The plan will become part of a larger document from the University of North Carolina system on reducing the amount of time entering freshmen require to complete their first degrees. All members of the university community are invited to the sessions, to be held noon-1 p.m. in the faculty lounge of the University Center on March 23, April 13, and April 27. For more information, call the Office of Academic Services at 227-7222. Don't miss this workshop on assertiveness You've got every right to be there when Counsel­ing and Psychological Services presents a work­shop on assertiveness training on campus Tuesday, March 30. The two-hour workshop is open to the public, especially to anyone interested in learning about the "Bill of Assertive Rights," the differences between assertion and aggression, and ways to develop valuable assertiveness skills. Join the group 6-8 p.m. in the Cherokee Room of the University Center. Admission is free. For more information, call Dr. Chris Gunn at 227-7469. University Club will sell extra tickets to 'Camelot' The University Club has four extra tickets to an upcoming performance of Camelot at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, and will sell them to interested members of the faculty and staff. The price is $25 per ticket. Members of the University Club will travel to Atlanta on Sunday, March 21, for a 2 p.m. matinee. The play, which stars actor Robert Goulet, tells the story of England's legendary King Arthur. For more information, call Ben Ward in the Faculty Center for Teaching Excellence at 227-7196. News briefs PLAN TO TURN YOUR TELEVISION DIAL FOR THIS ONE. Dr. Richard L. Thompson, director of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), will be featured this month on 'Tarheel Educator," a program of the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television. The program will air at noon on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 23 and 24. Area viewers may watch on Channel 56 or Channel 23 or on cable channel 8. ADVISEMENT AND EARLY REGIS­TRATION for fall and summer terms will begin Monday, March 22, for currently enrolled students. Under­graduate students with declared majors should pick up registration materials from departmental offices. Students who have not declared majors may obtain their materials from the Career and Academic Planning Center in McKee Building. Graduate students may obtain materials from the Office for Research and Graduate Studies in Robinson Building. Advising will be held in departmental offices, by appointment only, between March 22 and April 8. Registration will be held 8:30 a.m.-l:30 p.m. March 29-April 8, on or after the day specified on the student's Permit to Register. For more information, call the Registrar's Office at 227-7232. MOVIE BUFFS, TAKE NOTE: Mem­bers of the faculty and staff are invited to see seme of the great silent movies this week at the North Carolina Center for the Advancment of Teaching (NCCAT). Birth of a Nation, Stark Love, The Box of Pandora, The Bicycle Thief, The Silent Enemy, and other classics will be among the offerings Sunday-Thursday, March 14-18, in the center's amphitheatre. The films will be shown in conjunction with the NCCAT seminar "From Silents to Sound: Studies in Classic Cinema." Seating is limited. For more informa­tion, call NCCAT at 293-5202. WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Sunday 14 Video, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Second floor, UC. Free. Seminar, "From Silents to Sound: Studies in Classic Cinema" (through March 19). North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Residence Hall Staff Appreciation Week begins. Runs through March 20. Baseball, Cats vs. East Tennessee State. Childress Field, 1 p.m. 21 University Club trip to Atlanta to see Camelot, with Robert Goulet. (227-7196) Seminar, "The Art of Cheescmaking: Bovine Biology to Mediterranean Mainstay." North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (through March 26). Day hike at Horsepasture River. $3 students, $6 others. (227-7206) Baseball, Cats vs. Furman. Childress Field, 1 p.m. The next issue of the Reporterv/H\ be published on Friday, March 26. Items for publication in that issue should reach 1601 Ramsey Center by Wednesday, March 17. Monday 15 Video, K2 (through March 21). Second floor, UC. Free. Men's and women's tennis, Cats vs. Wofford College. Spartanburg, SC, 2:30 p.m. Address by artist and activist Leon Golub. A Cullowhee Arts Festival event. MRH, 8 p.m. 22 Video, Ford Fairlane (though ^^h 27). Second floor, UC. free. Academic advising and early registration begin. Run through April 8. Baseball, Cats vs Georgia Tech. Atlanta, GA, 7:30 p.m. Key HFR H.F. Robinson Administration Building MHC Mountain Heritage Center MRH Music Recital Hall RAC Ramsey Activity Center UC University Center Telephone numbers to call for more information appear after some listings. Tuesday 16 WCUAEOP annual business meeting. Mary Will Mitchell Room, Brown Cafeteria, noon. Women's tennis, Cats vs. Furman. Reid courts, 2:30 p.m. Demonstration of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. RAC, 7 p.m. Mr. Alpha Kappa Alpha Pageant. Hoey Auditorium, 7 p.m. $1 students, $2 others. 23 Men's and women's tennis, Cats vs. UT-C. Chattanooga, TN, 2 p.m. Baseball, Cats vs. Georgia Tech. Atlanta, GA, 5:30 p.m. Faculty recital, with Mary Kay Bauer, soprano MRH, 8 p.m. $5 adults, $2 students. Totally Tuesday Comedy Night, with Dave Chappelle. Cherokee Room, UC, 9:15 p.m. $1 students, $3 others. Free pizza from Pizza Hut. March 12. 1993 The Reporter March 14 Wednesday 17 University Club Continental Breakfast. Faculty Lounge, UC, 7-9:30 a.m. Baseball, Cats vs. Virginia Tech. Childress Field, 3 p.m. Faculty Senate meeting. Room 104, Killian Building, 3:30 p.m. Casino night. Cherokee Room, 8 pjiiL 24 Wheel of Fortune. Grandroom, UC, 6 p,m, Lunchtime talk with Mable Carlyie. Room 218, Killian Building, noon. Movie, Candyman. Cherokee Room, UC, 9:15 p.m. $1 students, others. Thursday 18 Project C.A.R.E. Day Demonstration, "An Introduction to WordPerfect Presentations." Room B-15, Forsyth Building, 11 a.m. (227-7282) Baseball, Cats vs. South Carolina State. Childress Field, 3 p.m. Noncredit program, "Reading Improvement for Adults." Room 127, Killian Building. 6 p.m. (227-7397) Forum, "Unity in the Black Community." Grandroom, UC, 7 p.m. Jazz concert. Cherokee Room, UC, 8 p.m. $2 WCU students, $5 others. Concert of Civil War music by Chestnut Brass Quintet. MRH, 8 p.m. Free. 25 Student recital. MRH, 2 p.m. Baseball, Cats Vs: UNC-A. Childress Field, 3 p.m. Open Mike Night. Cherokee Room, UC, 8 pjn, 500. Poetry reading with Lucille Clifton. 8 p.m. Friday 19 Golf, Tusculum Invitational, Link Hills Country Club. Greeneville, TN (through March 21). Student recital. MRH, 3 p.m. University Club. Riverhouse Restaurant, Cullowhee, 4:30- 6:30 p.m. 26 Graduate Council meeting. Room 510, HFR, 11 a.m. University Club. Riverhouse Restaurant, Cullowhee, 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Performance by Concert Choir MRH, 8 p.m. Free. Exhibits "A Show of Multicultural Art" (through April 14). Belk Art Gallery, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m., Monday-Friday and by appointment at 227-7210. "Migration of the Scotch-Irish People," a permanent exhibit; "Irons in the Fire," a slide-tape show on mountain blacksmithing; and "A Quiltin'," an exhibit of nineteenth- and twentieth-century quilts. MHC, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. "Sweetgrass Basketry" (through April 7). Chelsea Gallery, UC, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday- Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. weekends. (227-7206) "To What Do We Aspire?," a sculptural installment by Steven Lockwood (through April 16). Belk Building, 7 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Saturday 20 Men's and women's outdoor track and field, Cats at Clemson Tiger Relays. Clemson, SC. Baseball Weekend Extrava­ganza (through March 21). RAC and Childress Field. (227-7377) Shopping trip to Atlanta, GA. (227-7206) Graduate Management Admission Test. Natural Sciences Auditorium, 8 a.m. Men's tennis, Cats vs. The Citadel. Reid courts, 9 a.m. Mountain bike trip, Pisgah Forest. 9 a.m. (227-7206) Baseball, Cats vs. Furman. Childress Field, noon. Catamount Club auction. Charlotte, 6-11 p.m. (227-7377) Pub night. P.G. Katz, 8 p.m. $1 students, $3 others. 27 Climbing trip to Horseshoe Rock. $10 students, $20 others. (227-7206) National Teacher's Exam— Specialty Area. Natural Sciences Auditorium, 8 a.m. Scholastic Aptitude Test. Natural Sciences Auditorium, 8 a.m. Choral Clinic Concert. MRH, 3:30 p.m. Baseball, Cats at Georgia Southern (double-header). Statesboro, GA, 6 p.m. The Reporter March 12, 1993 The Reporter is published by the Office of Pubic Information. Mail notices and changes of address to the Reporter, 1601 Ramsey Center. 1,450 copies of this pubic document were printed at a cost of $188.50, or $0.13 per copy. Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Institution. Nicholl directing work of publications division Susan Calhoun Nicholl, assistant director for publications in the Office of Public Information, since her appointment late last year has been implementing measures to assure improved publications for the institution. Nicholl was named assistant director in December by Doug Reed, director of public information, following the resignation of Christy M. McCarley, who joined the staff of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Final 1992-93 academic year publications projects now are being received at the publica­tions division offices in the Ramsey Center. Reed said university units expecting to complete publications projects in the current fiscal year should contact Nicholl now. All editorial, design, and production services of the division are arranged by Nicholl. Nicholl joined the Public Information staff on a part-time basis in 1991 and played a major role in the development of Western, the university magazine, of which she and Reed are the editors. Before moving to Cullowhee, Nicholl was the editor of two national magazines in Washington, D. C., specializing in non-profit issues. She is a board member of Western North Carolina Habitat for Humanity and the Jackson County Arts Council and is a member of the publicity and annual meeting committees of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Chestnut Brass Company to perform Civil War concert The internationally known Chestnut Brass Company will perform music from the Civil War period as part of the Cullowhee Arts Festival, a monthlong celebration of the arts and entertain­ment centered on the theme "Civil Strife: Reflections Through the Arts and HumaniUes." The concert, open to the public without charge, will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in the Music Recital Hall. The Chestnut Brass Company, known for performances of Renaissance and nineteenth-century music on authentic period instruments, will be in residence at WCU March 16-18. The company is the last of three chamber music groups participating in the 1992-93 artists-in-residence series sponsored by WCU's music department. For more information, call 227-7242. Visiting philosopher will address 'irresponsibility' John Lachs, professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt University, will give a public lecture entitled "Irresponsibility" on campus on Thursday, March 18. The Hungarian-born philosopher will be on campus as part of the Visiting Scholars Program. His talk will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Room 346 of Stillwell Building and is free of charge. A member of the Vanderbilt University faculty since 1967, Lachs is author of nine bodes and more than 100 articles and reviews for profes­sional journals and publications. For more information about his WCU visit, call 227-7262. Grants and contracts news This column from the Office of Res earch and Graduate Studies focuses on initia­tives. issues, and deadlines in grants and contracts activities. Now in its third year of operation, the study grant program of the National Endowment for the Humanities provides six weeks of support for teachers of the humanities to undertake indepen­dent, full-time study of significant texts and topics in the humanities. The aim is to rekindle the teacher's engagement with the humanities. Projects are for intensive study rather than research intended for publication. Preference for awards will be given to those teachers with heavy teaching loads and limited opportunities for professional development. Teachers who have taught without the opportuni­ties for study and reflection (e.g. sabbaticals, grants) will benefit more from these awards than those teachers with more opportunities. In designing the proposals, the study plan should define the specific aims of the inquiry, may deepen knowledge in the scholar's chosen field to add depth to classroom discussions, should include readings of primary text, but may not include plans that investigate teaching methods and approaches. Awards are usually made for summer study and carry a $3,000 stipend. Call the Office for Research and Graduate Studies for additional information. Application deadline is August 16, 1993. Decisions will be announced by March 1, 1994, and projects will be undertaken in the summer of 1994. Nicholl March 12. 1993 The Reporter Re™ pMNo/emwws^ frsr\r<r\ +tKhf/te%ro CFm/ma e/c>u i #l/+t%y / a/rmnnWd S taff of Western Carolina University March 26,1993 Cullowhee, North Carolina To Our networking world The exchange of information grows more dependent on interconnected computers each year. As our campus network grows, WCU users will encounter established systems like these: MicroNet - an electronic "partnership" based at WCU, linking grade school and high school teachers and students with education resources across the state, nation, and world. CONCERT - the fastest, most sophisticated network in North Carolina. CONCERT connects universities, research institutions, and graduate centers for interactive video and high­speed data transmission. LINCNET - a statewide network operated by the University of North Carolina. It connects the campuses of constituent UNC institutions, the state's community colleges, some private colleges, and the state library. Internet - currently the premier national communications network for the academic community, offering interactive access to data sources and communication services, including BITNET. BUNET - a worldwide higher-education network that links libraries, universities, and compa­nies. BITNET provides access to a variety of research tools and information. Planning WCU's electronic network foster the use of technology in higher education, develop an effective campus-wide network as quickly as possible. That was the first recommendation on a list published last October by the national Higher Education Information Resources Alliance and sent to college presidents around the country. Western Carolina University was already two years ahead of that thinking. Since March 1990, university personnel appointed by Chancellor Myron L. Coulter had been meeting to deter­mine how best to create a network that would link buildings across campus for sharing data and video. Now the University Technology Board has a plan for the campus network. Board mem­bers are Robert Anders, Tom Connelly, Russell Crisp, James Culp, Clarence DelForge, Jill Ellern, Paul Gold, Tony Hickey, Tim Jacobs, Mike Malone, Jim Manring, Chris Martin, John McFadden, Allen Moore, Bill Perry, Doug Reed, Linda Reida, A1 Wiggins, and Ken Wood. 'There will actually be two separate portions of the network for a period of time. We plan to install a fiber optics portion for data trans­mission. For a time, we'll keep video transmissions on broadband coaxial cable already in the ground on campus," said Dr. C.J. Carter, vice-chancellor for business affairs. His office recently named the firm of Hayes, Seay, Mattern, and Mattern to design the network's fiber-optics data portion, which will serve as the primary "highway" linking computers on campus. Fiber optics is a system of thin glass filaments that moves electronic information by converting it to light energy. Coaxial cable, on the other hand, like that used by cable television companies, transmits electronic signals through copper wire. The network would transmit video on the uni­versity's coaxial cable lines, which were specially run to academic buildings in the mid-1980s. Possible uses of video capabilities include teleconferences, videotaped exam reviews, and broadcasts of reserved videos from Hunter Library, according to Chris Martin, director of the Univer­sity Media Center and chairman of the video applications committee of the University Technol­ogy Board. He said the network may also carry a video "information board" for campus events, much like commercial cable information channels. "Academics or information—the video applica­tions of our network will fall into one of these categories," Martin said. Campus networks are becoming as essential as libraries in academic infrastructure, according to a 1992 General Administration report on networking and telecommunications. Individual universities will lose ground in coming years if they are unable to connect to major state, national, and international networks for research, instruction, continuing education, and administration. (See sidebar.) "Aside from on-campus applications, our network will put the campus in touch with a number of data sources we can use, particularly databases our students need," said Dr. John H. Wakeley, vice-chancellor for academic affairs. "It's primarily for the benefit of undergraduate instruction, but it will also benefit graduate studies, scholarly development, and research activities." Other questions? See back page. Western in transition Recent personnel changes at WCU Joining us These people have begun working at WCU since mid-February: • Benny Dees, head basketball coach, University Athletics • Rosalyn K. Galloway, administrative manager, University Advancement • Phillip D. Hopkins, assistant basketball coach, University Athletics • Michael Thomas, staff develop­ment specialist, Center for Improving Mountain Living Leaving us These people left university employment in February or March: • Thomas W. Adkins, Physical Plant • Bruce Boggs, Center for Improving Mountain Living • Sunday Buck, North Carolina Center for the Advancment of Teaching • Jonathan Ehrlich, Business Affairs • Renee M. Jones, Dietary Services • Shirley Kool, Student Financial Aid • Rufus H. Ray, Maintenance and Organization • Barry Seiple, North Carolina Center for the Advancment of Teaching Transferring • Merry S. Woodard, from Educa­tion and Psychology to Reading Center WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Sunday 28 Baseball, Cats at Georgia Southern. Statesboro, GA, 1 p.m. Key HFR H.F. Robinson Administration Building MHC Mountain Heritage Center MRH Music Recital Hall RAC Ramsey Activity Center UC University Center Telephone numbers to call for more information appear after some listings. 4 Video, The Last Boy Scout. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Baseball, Cats vs. Marshall. Childress Field, 1 p.m. John O. Thompson came to WCU this month as new director of auxiliary serevices. Previ­ously he directed auxiliary services at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. He also has worked in the same position at Ashland (Ohio) University and as director of dining operations at Case Western Reserve University and Slippery Rock University. Monday 29 Video, The Last Boy Scout. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Women's tennis, Cats vs. Appalachian State. Reid Courts, 2:30 p.m. Presentation, "Uncle Tom Minstrel Shows," with visiting scholar John Laughton. MRH, 8 p.m. Free. 5 Video, House Sitter. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Visiting artist, Linda Hogan, native American poet. MRH, 8 p.m. $5 adults, $3 youth and WCU students with ID. The next issue of the Reporter will be published on Friday, April 9. Items for publication in that issue should reach 1601 Ramsey Center by Wednesday, March 31. Tuesday 30 Video, The Last Boy Scout. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Modern foreign language contest. (227-7241) Address,"Re-enchantment of Sound," with visiting scholar John Laughton. MRH, 2 p.m. Forum, "The Suffragettes," with John Laughton. MRH, 8 p.m. 6 Video, House Sitter. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Women's tennis, Cats vs. Mars Hill College. Mars Hill, 2:30 p.m. Baseball, Cats vs. Tennes­see. Knoxville, TN, 5:30 p.m. Faculty recital, Reginald Pittman, vocalist. MRH, 8 p.m. $5 adults, $2 students. Movie, Dracula. Cherokee Room, UC. 9:15 p.m. $1 students, $3 others. March 26,1993 The Reporter . . . - f t. . . Wednesday 31 Video, The Last Boy Scout. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. University club continental breakfast. Faculty lounge, UC, 7-9:30 a.m. Baseball, Cats at Winthrop. Rock Hill, SC, 3 p.m. Casino night. Cherokee Room, UC. $1 WCU students, $3 others. 7 Video, House Sitter. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Men's tennis, Cats vs. Appalachian State. Reid Courts, 2:30 p.m. Mini concert with the Blenders. Grandroom, UC, 9 p.m. $1 students, $3 others. Thursday 1 National Alcohol Awareness Week. Video, The Last Boy Scout. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Golf, Campbell Invitational. Keith Hills Country Club, Buies Creek, (through April 3). Teacher Placement Day. RAC, 1-4 p.m. Student recital. MRH, 2 p.m. Baseball, Cats vs. UNC-A. Childress Field, 3 p.m. Comedy by Carrot Top. RAC, 8 p.m. $4 students, $8 others. $8 at the door. Civil War Symposium. MRH, 8 p.m. Free. 8 Video, House Sitter. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Institutional SAT. Room 103, Forsyth Bldg. 8:30 a.m. Annual High School Math Contest. RAC, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunchtime talk, with Paul Basler, "Research in Russia." 218 Killian Building, noon. Student recital. MRH, 2 p.m. Baseball, Cats vs. Presbyte­rian, Childress Field, 3 p.m. Friday 2 Video, The Last Boy Scout. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Men's and women's tennis, Cats vs. UNC-G. Greensboro, 1 p.m. University Club. Riverhouse Restaurant, Cullowhee. 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Concert, Symphonic Band, MRH, 8 p.m. Free. 9 Easter break begins. Runs through March 11. Video, House Sitter. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Men's and women's track and field, Cats at Dogwood Relays (through April 10). Knoxville, TN. Baseball, Cats vs. Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, VA. 12:30 p.m. Saturday 3 Video, The Last Boy Scout. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Men's and women's track and field, Cats at Georgia Tech. Atlanta, GA. Kayak clinic. Cedar Cliff Lake and Tuckaseigee River. (227-7206) Open House. RAC, 9:30 a.m. Baseball, Cats vs. Marshall (double-header). Childress Field, noon. Men's and women's tennis, Cats vs. Davidson College. Davidson, 1:30 p.m. Concert, Honor Band. MRH, 7:30 p.m. 10 Video, House Sitter. Second floor lobby, UC. Free. Baseball, Cats vs. VMI (double-header). Lexington, VA, 1 p.m. Library Hours Easter Break April 9 Closed April 10 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibits "Diverse Social Perspectives" (through April 14). Belk Art Gallery, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m., Moitiday-Friday and by appointment at 227-7210. "Migration of the Scotch-Irish People," a permanent exhibit, and "Irons in the Fire," a slide-tape show on mountain blacksmithing; and "A Quiltin'," an exhibit of nineteenth- and twentieth-century quilts. MHC, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. "Sweetgrass Basketry" (through April 7). Chelsea Gallery, UC, 8 a.m.-ll p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-ll p.m. weekends (227-7206). "To What Do We Aspire?" (through April 16). Belk Building, 7 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The Reporter March 26. 1993 The Reporter Is published by the Office of PubHc Information. Mail notices and changes of address to the Reporter, 1601 Ramsey Center. 1,450 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $188.50, or $0.13 per copy. Western Carolina University Is an Equal Opportunity Institution. Network Q & A Hot information on the coming campus network If you're like most campus computer users, one of your biggest questions these days is, "When can I plug into the campus network?" Hold onto your hard drive, folks—at last, here are some answers to that and other common network questions. When can I plug in? The date isn't certain yet, but officials say it could be as much as several months from now. "We're in the design development phase right now. That includes the concept and initial configuration for the network, but no construc­tion documents or detailed plans," said Ken Wood, director of institutional studies and chairman of the University Technology Board. The university is preparing its contract with the designer for the network's fiber optics data portion. When that's done, designers will take six weeks to provide suggestions for configuring the network. State officials must also review the design, and construction contracts must be written and signed before actual construction can begin. Why will the designer's work take six weeks? Because there's quite a bit of study involved. The design firm has agreed to supply Western Carolina University three different ideas on how to configure the network, based largely on an existing system of underground concrete conduits that will carry the fiber-optic and broadband cable lines from building to building. The designer must evaluate the conduits, among other physical structures on campus, to determine their most efficient uses. What campus buildings will the network reach first? Twenty buildings on campus will be brought online in the network's first phase, which will be divided into "financially doable" modules, Wood said. The first module will include Hunter Library and Forsyth, Stillwell, and Natural Sciences buildings. Network construction beyond the twenty buildings in Phase One is probably five years away, Wood said. What kind of computer will I need in order to connect? You won't need a particular kind of computer. A nice thing about most networks is that they March 26, 1993 accommodate both Macintosh and MS-DOS machines and make it possible for the two types to "talk" to each other. Whatever computer or local area network you're using right now, it will likely connect to the campus network with no problem. Think of the network as a sort of super highway. It doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, as long as you follow the rules of the road. Does that mean there will be a lot of rules to follow in using the network? No. There'll probably be about as many rules as there are for using your telephone. You'll need to understand a few protocols—the procedures and codes of courtesy necessary to make the system function smoothly. Network administrators will publish a manual with this information. And, of course, as a network user, you'll be able to read an electronic copy of the manual right on your computer screen. How does my department get hooked up? Once the network is in place, department heads can call Physical Plant. The network will operate as a utility on campus, much like telephone service, except that connections will be brought to a central point in each connected building rather than to individual offices or terminals. It will be the responsibility of individual departments to wire from that central "closet" to the local area network or terminal. Will there be a charge for connecting? Only what you pay Physical Plant to r un the cable from your building's central connection to your department or office. Will my department's local area network (LAN) be affected? Only for the better. By connecting to the campus network, your LAN will gain access to a great number of campus and off-campus information resources and services. The sidebar on the front cover of this newsletter gives a partial list of those. You won't have to dismantle your office or department's LAN, and no one will have access to it unless you specifically make that possible. To avoid "traffic jams," users on LANs currently based in AppleTalk networking connectors may want to convert to Novell, a faster system to be used for the campus network. The Reporter

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