University of Aberdeen (abdn-rg17)
 Neil Hamilton

University of Edinburgh (ed-jcmb)
Gwen Bayne                 Martin Morrey
Charles Duncan            Julian Newman
Antony Maciocia

University of Glasgow (gla-cs1)
Margaret Brown

Napier University (napier-s1)
Kirsty Davidson            Tom Scott
Sandra Foubister           Brian Shields
Bill Harvey                    Kim Underwood
Jean Ritchie

University of Paisley (pais-tbc3)
Iain MacLaren                Patrick Walder
John McQuillan

University of St Andrews (st-and-cs1)
Colin Allison

University of Strathclyde (strath-cs1)
Lorna Campbell            Niall Sclater
Carol Higgison              Ralph Weedon
Dave McNicol              Dave Whittington

1) Attendees as above.
Apologies: Neil Pitcher (SUMSMAN)
University of Paisley VC studio joined the conference 15 minutes late.

2) Report from Jean Ritchie
2.1) SUMSMAN has had its final steering group meeting.
2.2) JR had forwarded suggestions for applications needed for videoconference studios to the UKERNA/SMVCN group.  A proposal will be sent in to SHEFC by the end of September.  Further suggestions welcome.   She had also circulated the list of applications to the umi-info list. JR asked if anyone had any comments on this. BS wanted to know whether "netmeeting" had been up and running between eight VC studios simultaneously - no answer. CA uses "Timbuctu", which is cross platform, and has had no problems with it, although he was not sure of the cost of this package, nor whether it can interact with netmeeting. LC mentioned that the academic price for "Intel Pro Share" is around £500 - 600, and that CVU has had no problems with netmeeting (which is free). CD pointed out that it was probably more important to concentrate on the hardware, and worry about the software later as it changes so quickly anyway.
2.3) Brian Shields asked if it would be better to use the ATM connection in the cellstacks to send the PC screen image; this would still mean using NetMeeting or a similar package, but would guarantee bandwidth by connecting directly into the ATM and reserving a connection.   The advice of the SMVCN group was that once the PCs were bought, the connectivity at each studio would be tested and any local network problems investigated.  In this way problems such as those experienced during the TALiSMAN session earlier in the summer (thought to be a network problem at Glasgow) would be avoided.  Using the Cellstack etherbridge would add significantly to the cost; any individual site could of course choose to do this however; extra cost would be an ATM card and cable, about 2,000 pounds.
2.4)  Involved in discussions with SHEFC’s C&IT planning; hear more from Bill H.

3) Dr Bill Harvey, Deputy Director, Teaching & Learning, SHEFC
3.1)  BH spoke about CTI (Computers in Teaching Initiative) and TLTSN, and
Scottish Network issues.
3.1)  BH said that CTI are planning to set up one generic Technology Centre and 24
"subject centres" UK wide to advise UK HEI staff on CTI. The new centres will provide advice on both C&IT and more general pedagogic issues; the balance to be struck will vary between subjects.
3.3) CTI are aware that they must be careful to avoid duplication between centres, with JISC initiatives etc. SHEFC also want their activities to complement what’s happening in the rest of the UK; to enhance the network.
3.4)  SHEFC want to concentrate on three key areas - software development (web
tools and intranets), networks and staff development. Caches, mirrors etc will be important, especially with charges for trans-atlantic traffic being introduced. In relation to staff development, a workshop is in the process of being organised which will look at LTDI and TaLiSMAN evaluation, so SHEFC can gain an idea as to what direction they should take in the future.

4) Discussion
4.1)  TS asked BH when SHEFC will be accepting their next round of  bids. BH said it
would be before the end of the year.
4.2) NH asked whether joint bids for intranets will be looked upon more favourably than bids involving only one HEI. BH said yes - collaboration is the way to go. NH also asked whether SHEFC thought it was important that intranets not only deal with teaching, but also with management, course administration etc. BH said this was an important aspect of HEI intranets.
4.3) CA pointed out that there has been no formal request for UMI projects to participate in CTI and asked BH if SHEFC would like UMI and CTI to collaborate. BH said it was in everyone’s interest to be aware of what’s going on in the rest of the UK. CA wanted to know whether SHEFC would fund a project involving, eg. an English collaborator with one or more Scottish HEIs. BH said Scottish HEIs can sub-contract to other institutions if they want - it’s up to them.
4.4) CH asked BH what SHEFC thought the key issues were in relation to staff development. BH said that they would know more after looking at LTDI and TaLiSMAN evaluation (ie. whether to have an enhanced central resource or a disseminated network etc.)
4.5) CH also asked whether England were aware of what is being done in Scotland, and are they taking advantage of this? BH said that it is part of SHEFC’s role to make others aware of what is being done in HEI’s in Scotland, and they do this in so far as they are able.
4.6) JN wanted to know where computer-human interaction stood in relation to CTI’s "subject centres" - ie. will all centres deal with computer-human interaction or will it be part of the "generic technology centre". BH said the CTI report was not that specific, but that each centre should be a "one-stop-shop", even if only to refer people to someone else.
4.7) JR asked BH if SHEFC would fund the writing of new content for courses which is very labour intensive and expensive. BH said they might be prepared to fund some new content with sector-wide relevance, but are more interested in process than content - a lot of value can be gained from authoring tools.
4.8) CA asked when the CTI review will be published. BH said in a couple of weeks, and the TaLiSMAN evaluation is on the same time scale.
4.9) Bill Harvey concluded by saying that people are welcome to contact him by phone: 0131 313 6513, or email <bharvey@shefc.ac.uk> if they have any further questions.

5) Next Meeting
The next UMI meeting is to be held on Wednesday 30th September. JR suggested that future meetings be held on Monday afternoons at 1400, rather than Monday mornings at 1100. It was agreed to discuss this further via email.
                                                                                                                                 Action All

6)  AOB
CH mentioned that she is helping to organise a workshop to look at Copyright guidelines, issues etc. The workshop is likely to be held on 3rd November.
Anyone interested should contact Carol Higgison by phone: (0131)451 3280 or 3285, or email <carol@icbl.hw.ac.uk>. AM was interested and said that someone from SUMSMAN should be involved in the workshop.