54 Planet of the Arts / March 1997 would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the support staff who have all contributed to the ongoing daily effort to make the Media Division run smoothly and serve our students. It was a terrible oversight on my part to have left out mentioning so many key people in my haste to complete my report. | hope they realize that | greatly appreciate every- thing they do and will forgive my unintend- ed omission. | will list them here now...not in any order of importance because they are all terrific. Bill Cupit, our Coordinator of Photographic Services, has done an excellent job of maintaining and organizing the Photography facilities. As a result of his efforts, our school has a wonderful facility in spite of the continued decrease in funding. He has also contributed outside of the Photography program by providing technical support and advice for Design, Studio and, Administrative projects. Jack Buquet and Teresa Healy keep things running well, both in the evenings and on weekends in the Photography darkrooms and studios. They help not only our full-time diploma and degree students but also our part-time students. Richard Bidwell continues to support the Animation and Film/Video programs. He had a major part in designing and planning the renovations to the Animation and Film/Video areas. This is a very complex area to serve due to the extensive variety of technology used. He has performed very well in spite of the fact that has job has grown well beyond what should be expected of one person. Daniel Joliffe has (as | mentioned in my report) been hired as a weekend technical assistant in the Film/Video area. He has worked miracles in the time he has been here. However, this does not remove the need for additional help for Richard Bidwell. Ron Barron has worked hard to help organize the network connections between by Ken Hughes The Education Council Computer Committee This thirteen-member committee was formed in September 1996 to study ECIAD’s computing needs for teaching, research and administration, with a focus on a 3-5 year horizon. Since its inception, the Committee has gathered feedback from the Institute's community, unearthing an overwhelming number of issues. It was as if this was the moment that everyone had been waiting for to vent their feelings (frustrations) about the declining state of ECIAD’s digital resource. As well as reporting on the conclusions from this input, the Committee has also brainstormed a vision of the future mindful of the government's latest edu- cational goals. The expectation of the ECCC is that its objectives and direction be reviewed and affirmed in a formal motion by the Education Council. The Committee will then construct an implementation plan toward the realiza- tion of the vision, and submit a second report to the Education Council in our Mac Lab and the new Cymbolic Sciences International Film Recorder. He has played a key role in selecting peripheral equipment to compliment this technology. Cal Sawyer, the Studio Assistant for the Electronic Communication Design depart- ment in the Design Division, has given much helpful input into upgrading the digital aspects if the traditional anima- tion studios as well as being an ongoing resource for our computer animation lab. We would not have such an advanced system here if it were not for Cal's vision and work (which went far, beyond want was required of him). | don’t know what.! would do without the unflagging help | get from Sue Geddes. She is not only a highly skilled secretary, she also has an extensive knowledge of media (film/video/photography) which makes her invaluable to me in my efforts to identify and keep up with issues that are impor- tant to my division. In addition to all of this, her previous work in Human Relations and Student Services adds to her value as a knowledgeable resource in terms of Institute policy. Her good nature, her professionalism, and her unflappable personality help to get me through the most stressful situations day in and day out. Cathy Johnson, who helps all of us Deans, has a wonderful grasp of every important detail and decision that has ever been made at ECIAD. Every day, she is there with the vital information you need to make well- informed decisions. She also understands the spirit as well as the letter of all policies. | can’t say enough good things about Cathy. Once again, | want to thank all of the above people, and | promise not to forget them again. Jim Breukelman Dean, Media Division The Institute The Media Division, A Happy Division ) NY ‘ i j fairey YAK 4 \\ , “4 EI / r Crunch Time @ Emily this development is the ongoing commit- ment to strategic planning and community involvement. The physical set-up is a mixture of decentralized general equipment com- bined with some specialized work-stations located in technology-dependent areas of the Institute. Overall flexibility allows the resource to embrace emerging technologies and applications with ease. Meanwhile, gov- ernment goals (relevance, quality, access, affordability, and accountability) and Emily Carr's mandate are being more fully realized. Partnerships with industry fund ongoing developments. With these technological develop- ments, new educational opportuni- ties are appearing. There is universal access to com- puters for ECIAD’s person- nel and students. Students can receive and send information on-line: complete application and registration processes, pay fees, check course outlines and sched- ules, review facul- ty profiles, receive copies of transcripts and evalua- tions, reserve library and audio-visual materi- illustration by Erin Gillgannon late April. The Vision: 1997-2000 Imagine it’s the year 2000. ECIAD’s digital resource is regaining its status as one of the finest in North America. The Institute is lead- ing the way in professional art and design programs and services, supported by a blend of new and traditional technology. Central to al. Day-to-day communi- cation is not only easier but trans- disciplinary projects contribute to building a more cohesive community within the Institute. There are fewer barriers between disciplines. Students frequently work in pro- ject-based teams. An enriched learning envi- ronment, artist/designer residency programs, links with other institutions world-wide, pub- lic lectures and symposia, workshops, pub- lishing, staff training, distance learning, and sponsorships are some of the tangible results of ECIAD’s renewed commitment to state-of- the-art digital technology. ...a questionnaire was issued to the entire Institute community (students, staff, faculty, administration) to collect a more representa- tive range of input. Replies revealed over one hundred issues, ranging from the philo- sophical to the organizational; from the big picture to the parochial: a_ There was an overwhelming recognition by the ECIAD community that digital resources are vita/ to the curriculum. b There was an overwhelming request from every department for digital resources to be made widely available throughout the Institute. c There was overwhelming support for the idea that there should be sufficient equipment for the entire Institute. d There was overwhelming support for cor- porate sponsorship to fund the purchase of digital resources. e There was full support for the idea of ongoing training and support for person- nel using digital technology. f There was majority support for ongoing Institute-wide planning processes through forums, committees, debates, question- naires. g There was equally-divided support for spe- cial courses in digital technology versus the integration of this technology into the regular curriculum. h There was also divided opinion on whether ECIAD should centralize or decentralize its digital resources. i There was little support for the concept of students buying their own equipment because of the elitist position it might present. The Current Situation: 1997 Computer technology has been a significant part of ECIAD’s curriculum and administrative functions since 1984. Since then, the situa- tion around computer technology has local- ized into a number of digital resource areas, e.g. Macintosh labs, computer animation, SGI labs. These areas have consistently endeav- oured to support all developments involving computers in curriculum, adapting to a pat- tern of ever-increasing demand and to many changes in technology. Until only recently, the resources have managed to address and support most of the Institute’s needs. Presently, the reputation of reasonable effec- tiveness has been breaking down under an extremely heavy load of responsibilities. Resources are severely over-extended and showing alarming signs of a decline into sub- standard facilities. Demand throughout the Institute has outstripped supply; obsoles- cence is a reality and constant equipment breakdowns and inadequacies are damaging both curriculum and administrative func- tions. In short, ECIAD is near a state of crisis with digital technology. If the institution is seriously committed to supporting emerging digital technologies, fulfilling its mandate, and honouring the Ministry’s new goals, then important strategic decisions must be made now. To delay is to threaten ECIAD’s status as one of the finest art and design institutions in Canada. Excerpts of the Education Council Computer Committee's Progress Report on Digital Resources 54 Planet of the Arts / March 1997 (WWW The Institute The Metiia Division, A Happy Division Would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the support staff who have all contributed to the ongoing daily ttfort to make the Media Division run Smoothly and serve our students It 05 a terrible oversight on my part to have left out mentioning so many key people in my haste to complete my report. hope they realize that | greatly appreciate every: thing they do and wil forgive my unintend. ‘ed omission. wil it them here now..not in ‘any order of importance because they are all terific Bill Cupit, our Coordinator of Photographic Services, has done an excellent job of maintaining and organizing the Photography facilities. Asa result of his ‘efforts, our school has a wonderful facility in Spite ofthe continued decrease in funding, He has azo contributed outside of the Photography program by providing technical support and advice for Design, Studio and, ‘Administrative projects Sack Buquet and Teresa Healy keep things ‘unning wel, bth in the evenings and on ‘weekends inthe Photography darkrooms {and studio. They help not only our fulltime diploma and degree students but aso our parctime students Richard Bidwell continues to support the ‘Animation and Filn/Video programs. He had '2 major pat in designing and planning the ‘enovations to the Animation and FlmWVideo ‘areas. This isa very complex area to serve ‘due to the extensive variety of technology Used. He has performed very well in spite of ‘the fact that has job has grown well eyond what should be expected of one person ‘Daniel Joliffe has (as | mentioned in my report) been hired as a weekend technical ‘sistant in the Film/Video area. He has ‘worked miracles inthe time he has been here. However, this does not remove the need for additional help for Richard Bidwell Ron Barron has worked hard to help organize the network connections between by Ken Hughes ‘The Education Council Computer Committee “This thirteen-member committee formed in September 1996 to study ECIAD's ‘computing needs for teaching, research and administration, with a focus on a 35 year horizon. Since is inception, the Committee has gathered feedback from the institute's community, unearthing an overwhelming ‘number of issues. It was a5 if this was the ‘moment that everyone had been waiting for to-vent their feelings (frustrations) about the declining state of ECIAD'®s digital resource. As ‘well as reporting on the conclusions ‘rom this input, the Committee has aio brainstormed a vision of the future mindful ofthe ‘government’ atest edu: ational goals The expectation of the ECCCis that its objectives. ‘and diection be reviewed ‘and affirmed ina formal ‘motion by the Education ‘Counell, The Committee will then construct an implementation plan toward the realize tion of the vision, and submit a second Feport to the Education Council in late April ‘The Vision: 1997-2000 Imagine it’s the year 2000. C1AD's digital resource is regaining is status 3s one of the finest in North America, The Institute is lead ing the way in profesional art and design programs and services, supported by a blend ‘fnew and traditional technology. Centra to ‘our Mac Lab and the new Cymbolc Sciences Internationa Film Recorder, He has playeo 2 key role in selecting peripheral equipment to compliment this technology. Cal Sawyer, the Studio Assistant fr the Electronic Communication Design depart. ‘ment in the Design Division, has given ‘much helpful input into upgrading the igital aspects ifthe traditional anima: tion studios a¢ well as being an ongoing resource for our computer animation lab. ‘We would not have such an advanced system here if it were not for Cal vision {and work (which went far beyond want Was required of him). Tidon't know what | would do without the unflagging help | get from Sue Geddes She isnot only a highly skilled secretary, she {ako has an extensive knowledge of media (filmvideo(photography) which makes her invaluable to me in my efforts to identity and keep up with sues that are impor tant to my division. n addition to all of this, her previous work in Human Relations and Student Services adds to her value asa knowledgeable resource in terms of Institute policy. Her good nature, her professionalism, and her Lnflappable personality help to get me through the most stressful situations day in and day out ‘Cathy Johnson, who helps all of us Deans, hhas a wonderful grasp of every important detail and decision that has ever been made {at ECIAD. Every day, she is there withthe Vital information you need to make well: Informed decisions. She alto understands the Spirit a5 well a the letter ofall policies. 1 Can't say enough good things about Cathy ‘Once again, | want to thank all of the above people, and | promise not to forget them again. Jim Breukelman ean, Media Division r Crunch Time @ Emily this development isthe ongoing commit: ment to strategic planning and community involvement. The physical set-up isa mixture of decentralized general equipment com: bined with some specialized work stations located in technology-dependent areas of the Institute. Overall flexibility allows the resource to embrace emerging technologies ‘and applications with ease. Meanwhile, gov ferment goals (relevance, quality, acces, affordability, and accountability) and Emily arr’s mandate are being more fully realized Partnerships with industry fund ongoing developments With these technological develop. ‘ments, new educational opportuni- ties are appearing. There is ‘niversal acces o com- puter for ECIAD'S person: fel and students Students can receive and Send information onlin: ‘complete application and registration processes, ay fees, check course ‘outlines and sched. ules, review facut ty profiles, ‘receive copies of transcripts and evalua: tions, reserve library and audiowisual mater a. Day-to-day communi ‘ation is not onl easier but trans disciplinary projects contribute to building 2 ‘more cohesive community within the Institut. There are fewer barriers between disciplines Students frequently work in pro Ject-based teams, An enriched learning envi ronment, artsidesigner residency programs, Tinks with other institutions world-wide, pub lic lectures and symposia, workshops, pub lishing, staff training, distance learning, and Sponsorships are some of the tangible results (Of ECIAD' renewed commitment to state-of. the-art digital technology 1a questionnaire was issued to the entice Institute community (students, staf, faculty, ‘2dministration) to collect a more representa tive range of input. Replies revealed over ‘one hundred issues, ranging from the philo ‘sophical to the organizational: from the big Picture to the parochial: {2 There was an overwhelming recognition by the ECIAD community that digital resources are vital to the curriculum. There was an overwhelming request from ‘every department for digital resources to bbe made widely available throughout the institute There was overwhelming support for the ‘idea that there should be sufficient equipment for the entire Institut. 4. There was overwhelming support for cor rate sponsorship to fund the purchase of digital resources €€ There was ful support forthe idea of ‘ongoing traning and support for person ‘el using digital technology. There was majority support for ongoing Institute-wide planning processes through forums, committees, debates, question: ‘9, There was equally. divided support for spe: al courses in digital technology versus. ‘the integration ofthis technology into the regular curriculum. hr There was also divided opinion on ‘whether ECIAD should centralize or decentralize is digital resources. {There was little support for the concept of students buying their own equipment because ofthe elt position it might present The Current situation: 1997 Computer technology has been a significant part of ECIAD's curriculum and administrative functions since 1984, Since then, the situa tion around computer technology has local: ized into a number of digital resource areas, ‘29. Macintesh labs, computer animation, GI labs. These areas have consistently endeav: ‘ured to support al developments involving ‘Computers in curriculum, adapting toa pat tern of everncreasing demand and to many ‘changes in technology. Until only recently, ‘the resources have managed to address and ‘support most of the institute's needs, Presently, the reputation of reasonable effec tiveness has been breaking down under an extremely heavy load of responsibilities Resources are severely over-extended and showing alarming signs of a decline into sub Standard facilities. Demand throughout the Institute has outstripped supply; obsoles- cence isa realty and constant equipment breakdowns and inadequacies are damaging both curriculum and administrative une tions. In short, ECIAD is near a state of crisis ‘with digital technology. Ifthe institution is Seriously committed to supporting emerging digital technologies, fulfiling its mandate, ‘and honouring the Ministry's new goal, ‘then important strategic decisions must be made now. To delay isto threaten ECIAD's ‘atus a5 one of the Finest at and design institutions in Canada Excerpts of the Education Council ‘computer Committee's Progress Report ‘on Digital Resources.