ASUO enters computer age
Incidental Fee Committee provides funds
oy Jim Moore
Of the Emerald
It computers are indeed the wave of the
future, then the ASUO stepped into tomorrow
when the Incidental Fee Committee voted 4-3 Jan.
25 to provide nearly $10,000 to put the executive
on-line.
The ASUO Executive presented the IFC with a
proposal for a microcomputer system that includ
ed estimates from three firms. Information
Management, DATCO and Computerland. The
lowest bid, $9,832.68, came from Information
Management.
Most of the money, $6,822, will come from
ASUO surplus and was held by the IFC until the
executive's travel account was unfrozen. The
committee had frozen that account because it
showed a deficit.
However, the account was owed money by
the University Foundation and the ASUO reports
the account is now in the black and steps are be
ing taken to purchase the microcomputer system.
“It looks like everything but the printer will
be here and fully operational in two weeks,” Bill
Hallmark, the ASUO coordinator of program ad
ministration and finance and one of three people
who prepared the ASUO proposal, said
Wednesday.
The "everything" Hallmark mentions includes
a central processing unit with the capacity to store
10 million bits of data, three video display ter
minals, a modem and assorted software. The
printer outlined in the proposal would be of letter
quality.
According to the request, two terminals
would be placed in Suite 4, one for the ASUO Ex
ecutive and the other for ASUO programs to use,
while the third terminal would be in the IFC office
for the committee's use.
Foremost among the executive's arguments
for the proposal was the cost saving benefits of a
microputer system.
In October of 1983, ASUO Vice-Pres. Kevin
Kouns, who helped prepare the proposal, said
such a system could pay for itself in two years.
And ASUO Executive Coordinator Susan Sowards,
who also worked on the ASUO request, repeated
that belief at the Jan. 25 meeting.
"We feel it's more like a short term loan over
a couple of years," she told the IFC.
Still, the request met with strong opposition
from some members of the committee.
One dissenter, Marc Spence, was not oppos
ed to the computer system and says he would
have voted for it as part of a budget package.
However, he expressed concern about using
surplus money for such a purchase.
“I think it s irresponsible tor an IFC to reach
into surplus money to fund something when it
could be budgeted tor next year,” he said.
That process, though, is what prompted one
favorable vote.
"I didn't think it was a good idea to put it in
the budget process and have fees pay for it when
there is enough money in surplus,” said Sheila
Schain, IFC vice-chair.
Another opposing view was expressed by IFC
member and dissenter Mary Shrauger, who voic
ed fear that the computer equipment might have
to be changed to become compatible with other
computers in the state system.
The state system of higher education is plann
ing to require all computer equipment in the state
accounting system to be compatible.
The third dissenting IFC member, Leslie
Dewson, was noncommittal throughout the
meeting and originally abstained. She said she
changed her vote to no because she agreed with
the arguments of both Spence and Shrauger.
Sowards outlined several reasons why the
present is the best time to make such a purchase,
saying computer prices are not constant, and if
the purchase price exceeds $10,000 the purchase
would have to go through the state system open
bid process, which could mean loss of local
control.
Also, the current administration is geared up
to put the system into use and Sowards is
available to provide training and prepare a train
ing manual, she said.
But the strongest selling point appeared to be
the money saving potential.
"It's obviously necessary to save costs,” said a
pro-computer IFC member, Laurie Abraham.
In its proposal, the executive indicated that
more than $1,000 could be saved the remainder of
this academic year on printing costs alone.
The modem will allow the ASUO computer to
link with the University Press by going through
the University's computer center and cut typeset
ting costs approximately in half, according to the
proposal.
Another advantage of the system will be a sav
ings of time and money keeping the ASUO pro
gram's books, Hallmark said.
Included in the software will be a spreadsheet
program that will enable a user to make accoun
ting entries and have them automatically reflected
in the total budget, saving much time and
eliminating errors, he said.
The other two committee members suppor
ting the proposal were IFC Chair Julie Davis, who
delivered a statement endorsing computerization
just prior to the vote, and Lois Day.
SUAB questions basketball entrance rules
More Duck athletes than the
10 basketballers suited down for
Don Monson were in Mac Court
early for the Oregon-OSU
basketball game Feb. 2, accor
ding to a grievance filed with
the Student University Affairs
Board by a student.
SUAB member Cordon
Mai Ion received a grievance
after the game that questioned
whether the athletes should be
allowed to enter McArthur
Court before the public.
Thursday SUAB decided to of
fer a proposal to Athletic Direc
tor Rick Bay to place one of its
members, Mallon, in the com
plex to ensure that it doesn't
happen again.
In other business Thursday,
SEARCH director Steve Meyer
asked the board its support of
charging a fee for some SEARCH
courses.
"We are trying to stay alive
and keep our own authority
within our department," Meyer
said.
Also, SUAB announced it is
continuing its voter registration
campaign, taking forms to greek
houses and the residence halls,
and its survey on what students
think about switching to a
semester system.
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