December 28, 2009
Special ITTC Meeting
Upon the resignation of John Gillispie, the ITTC has called a special meeting on January 4, 2010, 2:00 p.m. to discuss the appointment of an Interim Executive Director and the appointment process for a permanent Executive Director.
For More Information
December 22, 2009
John Gillispie, Iowa's chief information officer to leave Iowa for job in Missouri
The state of Iowa's top information technology officer announced Monday he was resigning to take a position in Missouri, just as Gov. Chet Culver has recommended elevating the position.
John Gillispie, Iowa's chief information officer since 2002, said his decision to become director of theMissouri Research and Education Network had nothing to dowith a proposal Culver supports toconsolidate the state's e-mail and payroll systems and take the state chief information officer's position to Cabinet-level.
Gillispie said he likely would have applied for the new Iowa position, had he not received the Missouri offer.
DesMoinesRegister.com Article
December 15, 2009
The Karadah Project
ICN continues to share infinite possibilities by using its services and technology in promoting positive international relations. As the war in Iraq continues the community development efforts are also ongoing. It is important to remember that lasting relationships between individuals and organizations will greatly help the success in Iraq. Even with an ocean separation, Iowans, especially in Council Bluffs, are doing their part in strengthening Iraq’s community development efforts through the Karadah Project. An international videoconference, using Iowa Communications Network’s fiber-optic Network, was held between Baghdad Technical Institute, a two-year technical college in Karadah, Baghdad, Iraq, and Iowa Western Community College on Tuesday, December 15.
Press Release
November 12, 2009
One Gift Campaign
The One Gift Campaign is an opportunity for us to contribute to participating charitable agencies through payroll deduction. Donated money stays in Iowa, where it helps our neighbors, friends, and family members. Over 400 charitable agencies benefit from One Gift donations. These agencies offer much-needed assistance to Iowans in virtually every city and rural area in the state. Employees specify which charitable agencies will receive their One Gift donation and direct their donations to specific communities in the state.
Even in these tough times, ICN employees reached into their pockets and made contributions enabling our team to exceed this year’s goal of $10,000. Forty five ICN employees and Commission members pledged a total of $11,722.10, exceeding our goal of $10,000. We received three contributions of over $1,000.
NOTICE OF COMMISSION MEETING
Pursuant to Iowa Code, Chapter 21, the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission hereby gives notice to the public of its intended meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. in the Grimes State Office Building, 1st Floor, ICN Classroom, Des Moines, IA.
More......
June 24, 2009
Another Customer Kudo
ICN team members recently received this compliment from the Iowa National Guard via an e-mail sent to Deputy Director Joseph Cassis:
Mr. Cassis,
I again wanted to pass on to you another positive note regarding resolution of some billing issues that surfaced and needed some attention.
Collectively, Joe Tjaden, Deb Evans, Bonnie Weiss, and Diane Kroll brought several billing issues to favorable resolution for the Iowa Guard.
I want you to know how pleased we are with their efforts and especially with the final resolution.
They have been great to work with and I have learned a lot throughout this process.
Please be sure to extend my personal thanks to each one of these folks when you get a chance if you would.
Regards,
CW3 Marlan Poage
JFHQ-IA-DCSIM
Communications Manager
June 17, 2009
Steps Underway to Bring Affordable Broadband to all Iowans
The first step has been taken in developing a statewide plan to bring affordable, high-speed Internet access to all of Iowa. Three state organizations were given the charge of establishing the Broadband Deployment Joint Governance Board, which will oversee the creation of that plan. Leaders of those organizations have put out a call for board member applications. An appropriate mix of knowledge, skills, gender, and political affiliation are being sought in candidates.
More information and downloadable candidate application form.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
ICN Service Receives Kudos
The use of ICN's PerfectMeetings Managed Video (PMV) service recently saved thousands of dollars and invaluable travel time for participants in a meeting hosted at the offices of the Iowa Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Service.
PMV is provided to ICN customers through AGT, a nationally-recognized leader in the managed video service industry. PMV is a desktop videoconferencing service that can be used at individual desktops or in entire room videoconferencing, on demand and without making reservations.
Voc Rehab IT Supervisor Steve Nicoll set the meeting up for his division administrator, Stephen Wooderson, who is also president of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.
"Normally they meet four times per year and generally have to travel to places like Chicago. For two of the four meetings they'll be able to use PerfectMeetings and will save a considerable amount of money for travel, food, and lodging," said Nicoll.
The meeting had six participants from around the country.
"One out-of-state participant was new to videoconferencing," said Nicoll. "He told me that if it wasn't for the videoconference, he would have spent $1,000 to fly to Chicago, plus additional costs for room and lodging. The only cost for him this way was a web cam."
Nicoll said that despite some server issues during the meeting, the division administrator and other participants were very impressed with the technology. He said a problem with the server actually helped showcase the customer support provided by ICN and AGT.
"AGT technical support was wonderful and Tammy Rodriquez from ICN stayed on top of the problem and kept me informed," said Nicoll.
He said AGT connected into the conference to help troubleshoot initially and stayed on in the background, monitoring the meeting. Nicoll said this was appreciated by Division Administrator Wooderson and the other attendees.
Nicoll says the DVRS will be using the PerfectMeetings service more in the coming months. They will be using it for training with a new web-based application and for monthly team meetings with mobile IT specialists they will have working in each half of the state.
For more information on ICN and its services, call toll-free 877- 426-4692 or visit the ICN web site at http://www.icn.state.ia.us/services/.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
ITTC Meeting Notice
The agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission is now available.
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 2009 ICN Monthly Update
Sister City Partnership Continues via ICN
ICN helped bring dental professionals together across the ocean in a videoconference session held April 15. The session was held between staff from the Creighton University Dental School and Baghdad Dental School, as part of the Sister City Partnership between Council Bluffs and Karadah, Baghdad, Iraq. There were five people involved in Iraq and four involved in Council Bluffs. The meeting originated from the Iowa National Guard Armory in Council Bluffs and was coordinated by LTC Rick Burns, who is leading the Sister City Partnership. Burns said the session was “flawless” and, “I truly believe this is a first step toward great things.” This is the second session LTC Burns has coordinated for the Partnership.
More......
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
April 2009 ICN Monthly Update
April - Month of the Military Child
Visit the ICN home page to see our new video snippet on Operation Hometown Link and the Month of the Military Child!
Did you know there are over 10,600 military family dependents in Iowa schools?
April is designated the Month of the Military Child. For military families, deployment is no longer a possibility, and for some they are in or face, their second, third, and even fourth deployment. Social, emotional, and academic support or very important for the military child and schools often provide the most consistent environment during a very stressful time. More.......
Connections to Afghanistan Now Possible through Iowa Communications Network
(Des Moines) - Iowa families now have the potential to visit with military family members deployed to Afghanistan via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN).
ICN is part of the Operation Hometown Link initiative of the national non-profit Freedom Calls Foundation. The Network has held approximately 60 reunions over the State's fiber optic network since 2007.
With the recent announcement of additional locations in Kuwait, at Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Saleem Airbase, and now Afghanistan, the ICN can continue to assist Iowa's troops and their families.
Connections to Afghanistan must be for milestone family events like births, weddings, or graduations and have to be arranged a minimum of three weeks in advance.
In addition to the sites in Kuwait and Afghanistan, families can also connect to family members serving in Iraq at Al Asad Air Base, Fallujah, Taji, Camp Victory (Baghdad), and Camp Taqaddum.
Iowa families with a deployed service member from any military branch may take advantage of the video reunions. The visits may take place during the week and on some Saturdays at many of the 730 ICN video classrooms located around the state. ICN staff members find an appropriate location for the family, while Freedom Calls schedules and pays for the soldier's satellite time. Video reunions to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan are arranged through ICN staff.
For more information, or to arrange a Freedom Calls/Operation Hometown Link ICN session, contact the Iowa Communications Network at 877-426-4692 or visit www.icn.state.ia.us.
Stimulus Package Information
Here are some additional links to stimulus package information ICN customers may find helpful!
U.S. Stimulus Package Information: http://recovery.gov
State of Iowa Stimulus Package Information: http://recovery.iowa.gov/
Broadband Stimulus Programs:
Summary: http://www.freepress.net/files/Angels_in_the_Details.pdf
NTIA Site: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
RUS Site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Want to Learn More About the Recovery and Reinvestment Act?
The Guidebook to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act may provide help with sorting through questions you may have.
The guide was created by the Office of Congressman Harry E. Mitchell As Congressman Mitchell. As he states in the guide's opening letter, "... the information contained within is by no means exhaustive, and will be updated periodically with new details as they become available."
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Use of Iowa Communications Network for Depositions
Attorneys have been using the ICN to take depositions for a number of years for criminal court cases. These depositions are scheduled by the officers of the court. Recently, ICN was asked to clarify the authority for attorneys involved in civil suits to schedule and use the Network to take depositions.
The Judicial Branch is an authorized user of the ICN. As such, the following persons have access to all ICN services: State and federal judges, judiciary employees, administrative law judges, associate judges, magistrates, referees, mediators, and participants. The use must be consistent with the written mission of the authorized user allowing access to the network at its site. Since the collection of information via depositions is part of the civil court process, using the ICN for that purpose is appropriate.
Because payment for the deposition process in civil cases may be the responsibility of the plaintiff, the procedure for scheduling a deposition over the ICN is slightly different from the process used by other authorized users.
Listed below are links to documents that need to be completed for non-Judicial Branch sessions scheduled for taking a deposition. Please refer to the instructions on completing the necessary documents.
To schedule a session, or for additional information regarding the forms, please e-mail icn.video@iowa.gov or call 877-426-4692 for assistance.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Kuwait Sites Added for Military Family Reunions over the ICN
Iowa families may now reunite with military family members deployed to Kuwait via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). The non-profit Freedom Calls Foundation has added videoconferencing centers at Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Saleem Airbase in Kuwait. These are in addition to the sites already used in Iraq at Al Asad Air Base, Fallujah, Taji, Camp Victory (Baghdad), and Camp Taqaddum.
ICN is part of the Operation Hometown Link initiative of the Freedom Calls Foundation. The agency has assisted Iowa families in reuniting over the State's fiber optic network for the past two years. With the addition of the Kuwait locations, ICN hopes to help more military families.
April is designated the Month of the Military Child. The new locations in Kuwait, for Operation Hometown Link, provide an additional way for families to reconnect during what can be a stressful time for children and parents.
Any Iowa family with a deployed service member from any military branch may take advantage of the one-hour visits. Video reunions may take place during the week and on some Saturdays at many of the 730 ICN video classrooms located around the state. ICN staff members find an appropriate location for the family, while Freedom Calls schedules and pays for the soldier s satellite time.
For more information, or to arrange a Freedom Calls/Operation Hometown Link ICN session, contact the Iowa Communications Network at 877-426-4692.
Tuesday March 17, 2009
ICN Continues to Help Support Military Families
Iowa education professionals can learn how to help support the needs of military families in their districts in a special upcoming free session over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). The children of Iowa's deployed service members often face stressful changes and challenges. "Supporting Children in Military Families" provides educators with the tools to support youth and teens while their parents, siblings, or other relatives are deployed. To find out more about the session, scheduled for March 25, from 3:30-5 p.m., visit http://www.k12connections.iptv.org/. This ICN session is a collaborative effort of the Iowa National Guard, Iowa Public Television (IPTV), and the ICN.
Meanwhile, the ICN continues to make it possible for Iowa families to connect with their loved ones serving in Iraq, which can also help ease the stress of separation. ICN, in collaboration with the Iowa National Guard, joined the Operation Hometown Link initiative of the Freedom Calls Foundation two years ago. Since that time, the agency has helped families celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, or just reconnect with their military family members who are deployed, through free videoconferencing sessions over the Network.
Operation Hometown Link is open to any deployed service member serving in Iraq at one of the six Freedom Calls locations. The national non-profit Freedom Calls Foundation has six videoconferencing centers at the following military camps in Iraq: Camp Victory (Baghdad), Camp Taqaddum, Balad Air Base, Al Asad Air Base, Fallujah, and Taji.
Video reunions may take place during the week and on some Saturdays at many of the 730 ICN video classrooms located around the state. ICN staff members find an appropriate location for the family, while Freedom Calls schedules, and pays for, the soldier's satellite time.
For more information, or to arrange a Freedom Calls/Operation Hometown Link ICN session, contact the Iowa Communications Network at 877-426-4692 or visit www.icn.state.ia.us.
The ICN makes it possible for Iowans to participate in interactive learning opportunities in a cost-effective, efficient, and creative way. While providing support and resources for educators and students, ICN and IPTV are committed to the continued enhancement of distance learning. To find out more about the ICN, visit www.icn.state.ia.us.
Tuesday March 10, 2009
March 2009 ICN E-News
Making it Possible........
"When I was considering moving back to Iowa in 1996 after 13 years in Alaska, the presence of the ICN was a strong vote in favor of the move. In Alaska, distance had historically been an immutable reality, but new technologies were rendering geography almost irrelevant. Having the ICN in Iowa meant that no matter where I needed to be, the ICN could take me there.
Today, my wife is earning a second bachelor's degree from William Penn University, primarily through the ICN. Earning the degree would be impossible if she had to travel from Kalona to Oskaloosa twice a week, but having ICN access at our local high school is making her dream of teaching Mandarin Chinese one giant step closer to reality "and someday, the ICN may be the way she teaches her classes to the next generation of learners.”
Jim Hussey
Kalona, Iowa
More.......
Thursday March 5, 2009
Top 10 Reasons to Use the Iowa Communications Network
What are they? Read the Heartland AEA March edition of the ICN News Blog to find out!
http://icn-news.aea11.k12.ia.us/
Thank you to Melanie Rippen at Heartland AEA for helping spread the good news about the ICN
Wednesday February 25, 2009
ICN in the News
The Gazette
Lyon County Reporter
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
Corwith CWL Times
Wednesday February 18, 2009
ICN Billing Goes Green
Starting March 1, ICN state agency customers will be billed electronically to assist in the State's green initiative. This first step in going paperless will provide more cost-efficient and effective use of resources.
ICN hopes to have all customers paperless by the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30, 2009.
ICN Billing Outreach Program
ICN is reaching out to agency customers to reaffirm their understanding of ICN bills and charges.
A new billing outreach program provides Network customers with the opportunity for an overview of their ICN bill. ICN finance staff reviews the bill with the customer, explains the details of the statement, and how to read the bill. Many agencies have had staff changes and it is important that the new financial personnel understand the bill. Additionally, ICN staff can create special reports for customers to help them better track charges and services, especially during these financially challenging times. Customers can also share their suggestions about additional features they would like to see included in ICN bills.
Customers with a question or concern about a billing issue, or who would like a personal visit to discuss their bill, should contact the ICN Service Desk at icnservicedesk@iowa.gov.
Monday February 9, 2009
Febuary 2009 ICN E-News
Did You Know...
A pilot Chinese language class is being taught over the ICN this year. First semester the class was taught from Notre Dame HS to students at Danville and New London. This semester a new teacher has taken the reins and the class is being taught from City High in Iowa City to the students at Notre Dame, Danville, and New London. Yehmin Yu, who had not taught over the ICN before, says she is still adjusting to her new way of teaching. However, she said the students are enthusiastic.
"The students are sincere and serious about learning Chinese. I am very encouraged by their enthusiasm and determination in learning the Chinese language," Yu said.
More.......
Thursday February 5, 2009
ICN Receives Honor from Cedar Rapids Schools
The Iowa Communications Network has received a Special Service to Education award by the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) Technology Department.
ITTC Commissioner Dr. Robert Hardman (left) thanked by
Cedar Rapids Schools Superintendent Dr. Dave Markward
(right) at the district's service awards program.
The award was a result of ICN's responsiveness and assistance to the District during the June 2008 flood that devastated the Cedar Rapids community. The Network was instrumental in providing the Grant Wood Area Education Agency (AEA) with Internet access, while District central services were located at Jefferson High School. The district receives its Internet and e-mail access via the ICN through the AEA.
CRCSD Technology Manager Lori Bruzek said the reestablishment of communication to the outside world was imperative in dealing with the disaster
"With classes out of session, the fastest form of communication we had was e-mail. ICN was very responsive to our emergency needs after the flood forced us to relocate our network operations to Jefferson High School for the summer. We were able to quickly re-reestablish our district's external circuit to Grant Wood AEA and the Internet. That link was critical for both district operations and as a means for communicating with staff and the community during our post-flood transitions," said Bruzek.
ICN Executive Director John Gillispie said the honor underscores the purpose and importance of the Network.
The CRCSD gives the Special Service Awards each year to organizations that have made unique contributions of support to schools or departments in the district.
January 28, 2009
Government Oversight Committee Testimony
On Tuesday, January 27, ICN Executive Director John Gillispie testified before the joint Government Oversight Committee on the status of the ICN, as he has done regularly over the past six years. The presentation consisted of a general overview of the ICN, since there are new legislators on this committee. He also provided a synopsis of ICN services and their current statistics, as well as the agency budget and funding requests for this legislative session.
With the concerns over the economic conditions of the country and within Iowa, some committee members asked how we could better maximize the ICN's value and even consider options such as ICN collaborating with private companies, or the state selling or leasing out the ICN, similar to the discussions that have occurred regarding the Lottery.
There may be legal hurdles to overcome before partnering, leasing, or other options can be considered and investigation needs to be performed. The ICN was created to enable distance learning in Iowa and is required, by law, to be self-supporting, and was not set up to generate revenue for the General Fund. The law specifically controls what components of cost the Commission may consider when it sets prices. The Network is a capital investment that requires maintenance beyond the capabilities of the Commission to fund.
At the end of the presentation, a member requested a Study Bill be drafted to start exploring the possibilities be considered by the Committee.
Handouts from yesterday's Government Oversight session are available at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/scripts/docmgr/docmgr
comdocs.dll/showtypeFC?idt=true&type=ih&com=41.
January 26, 2009
New ICN Classroom Maintenance System
The work order system used to track technical maintenance of ICN video classrooms has been revamped and migrated to the ICN. The work order system was previously hosted and maintained by Iowa Public Television, which originally provided technicians for the Network. An ICN project team converted the IPTV work order system into an ICN application that integrates the VOSS scheduling software, used for scheduling ICN video sessions, and ICN's service ticket system called Service Desk. Technical issues within the classrooms, relating to the session or equipment, are reported through the Service Desk system. Through the new process, the status of the room is updated in VOSS and on the Iowa Distance Learning Database clickable map. ICN schedulers around the state can more readily determine what rooms are available or are not experiencing technical difficulties. The blending of the scheduling and work order systems reduces the manual work that was required to update classroom status compared to the previous method used before integration.
The transition of the work order system to the ICN is another step in bringing facets of the Network under one organizational umbrella for better management of the applications.
January 22, 2009
SE Polk Blog about ICN Experience
SE Polk HS teacher/librarian Carol VonHook has commentary and some great pictures about their participation in the Keeping Pace with State Government session hosted by IPTV K-12 Connections. The SE Polk students played the part of the House of Representatives, located at the ICN room in the State Capitol, and West Marshall HS students were the Senate located at their ICN video classroom. Visit Mrs. Madam Speaker Please Recognize Me! to see the photo recap and read Mrs. VonHook's blog!
Working and Living with Children who have Hearing Loss
The Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Lions Club announce their spring 2009 sessions for educators and families working and living with children who have hearing loss. Register now by contacting Cynthia Angeroth cangeroth@iowaschoolforthedeaf.org!
More.......
January 12, 2009
January 2009 ICN E-News
Welcome to 2009! It's a new year and the ICN has a new look!
A new slogan and new web site were introduced yesterday at the ICN offices. The current slogan worked well over the past five years, however, we needed a new one that better delineates ICN's relationship with customers and end users like you. "Sharing Iowa's Infinite Possibilities" reflects our mission to the state of Iowa and our vision of increased use of IP technology, which has unlimited possibilities. This will be our new slogan replacing Connecting Iowans to the World.
The first stage of changes in ICN's web site also went live yesterday. Changes made during this initial stage included cleaning up information to make it more timely and the creation of a new web site template. A video snippet welcoming visitors on the home page will be routinely changed to bring viewers information about ICN users, news, etc. More......
