The Faculty Senate discussed the progress of two technology committees Tuesday.

The Comprehensive Technology Planning Committee’s purpose is to prioritize the technological needs of the campus.

The committee recently established a steering committee meeting weekly to offer additional input and keep the group focused, said Michael Hoadley, assistant vice president for Information Technology Services.

Hoadley presented the senate with the council’s beginning, present initiatives and steps in the future.

“Our whole motivation for looking at this committee was pretty clear … trying to build an alliance for some of the groups across campus,” he said.

Mihir Chatterji, also assistant vice president for Information Technology Services, said Provost Blair Lord the committee is serving a purpose in a time of state financial woes.

“When you’re not sure about the budget and unsure about the times ahead, it’s the best time to be doing some planning,” Chatterji said.

Senate members discussed the membership for a grant review committee.

The Professional Development Grant Review Committee is an ad-hoc group of the university’s Center for Academic Technology Support.

Last year the committee had 12 members and this year Hoadley proposed 13. The Faculty Senate will provide feedback to the technology services after next week’s senate meeting.

The grant funds help a faculty and staff improve technological skills for the classroom environment.

“My goal all along has been to make sure that the reviewers represent the diverse interests of the campus,” Hoadley said.

The membership will be a faculty or staff member from each of the deans of the four academic colleges, four staff, faculty or students selected by the Office of Academic Affairs, one faculty member from each college selected in faculty elections and one representative chosen from Booth Library.

The senate brought concerns on how the membership is chosen, including a large staff membership that might not relate to faculty needs.

Faculty members receive most grant funds.

Instructional Support Staff and librarians are staff that have received grants in the past, said Graduate School Dean Bob Augustine.

The grant committee members have a difficult job, he said.

“I think the people in those (positions) just sweat blood to really select well,” Augustine said.

The senate passed a resolution to interim President Lou Hencken and the President’s Council proposing a change in membership on the Council on University Planning and Budget.

The resolution recommended dropping the membership from 37 to 15 voting members, similar to the past council membership.

“I think we’re trying to make this group more representative of the original charter,” said David Carpenter, English professor and senate member.

The resolution states, “the present size and composition … hinder(s) the achievement of (the CUPB’s) stated objectives and the effective and efficient execution of its responsibilities.”

The senate also passed a motion to send university representatives of the Electronic Writing Portfolio a summary of the senate’s perceptions on the purpose and aspects of the program.

Members associated with the portfolio gave senate a review of the program earlier this semester.

Faculty committee elections held and organized by the senate last month are still unresolved.

The Faculty Senate approved the results last week, but some candidate write-ins on ballots have not all been contacted for eligibility and willingness to serve, said Doug Brandt, physics professor and chair of the senate Elections Committee.