Equipment: Roy first addressed the need to update equipment to the level of running Netscape browser version 2.1. In response to the concern that not all departments have money for "state of the art" machinery, Joe answered that because Netscape can be used by various levels of equipment, it is the right way to go. When equipment can be upgraded in the future, access will be faster, but it is now accessible at many levels. John/ACT will make the basic hardware standards available to everyone - possibly on the web.

DARS: ACT has requested a more thorough review of the DARS "engine" that drives their degree audit system. DARS has already invested a great deal of time into researching and producing this system and they have had the time to refine it. It is relatively inexpensive as software for universities goes ($19,500. for a one time license and approximately $1700. per year thereafter). DARS is table-driven which would allow each college and department to input different sets of requirements. About 130 other institutions, including a couple of U.C.'s, are already using it. DARS will allow us to license ONLY the engine which leaves the user-interface up to us. (ACT has decided on the web as the best user-interface.)

Kay asked about the availability of a one page degree check report. John and Roy replied that while printing from Netscape is not completely under our control, they should be able to modify the output so that it is at least close to one page. An unofficial transcript which includes transfer approximation data is also being considered for printing from the web.

Demonstration: When the network finally came up (!), a demonstration was given of the degree audit system, especially how it would be accessed through the Student Link web pages. ACT was also able to demonstrate the online "help" documentation that would be available. A small committee of users will be involved in the development of the project. Therefore, any problems encountered can be worked out before the project goes online.

Timeline: If U.C.S.D. decides to go with DARs, ACT hopes to have the degree audit project online by the end of 1997.

Funding: Funding resources are definitely undecided at this time! These will need to be assessed!

Next Steps:

• A 14 page description of DARS was distributed at the meeting. Roy asked us to read this.
• We should invite the DARS representative to U.C.S.D. to provide a demonstration and more information. ACT is hoping a decision can be reached quickly so they will be able to meet the 1997 date presented for degree audit availability. Therefore we are being asked to move on this as quickly as possible.
• If DARS is decided upon, funding the project would need to be pursued.

Agreement: All persons attending the meeting agreed that ACT should pursue the investigation of the DARS degree audit system.

Please contact Helen Gunn (x41575) if you have any questions or have any corrections to these minutes.

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