Jim Quinn directs the operations of a Web site on ICE, a clearinghouse of environmental protection information available to policy-makers and the public. William Thurston gives students an eyeful of mathematics, fueling their imaginations with sophisticated animated graphics to illustrate concepts. Lynn Hershman creates "virtual sets" for pioneering films. Such UC Davis faculty are among the vanguard on campus who have tapped the fast-breaking technologies of the information age to teach, conduct research and offer public service in new ways. The national trend they represent is what Robert Grey, provost and executive vice chancellor, has been eyeing and is what prompted him to form the new Provost's Commission on the Future of Information Technologies. Assembled in late January, the group of 12 faculty and one undergraduate will work over the next few months with the aim of submitting a final report to Grey by July 1. "Your primary charge is to identify the major goals and objectives that should guide UC Davis in the decade ahead as it develops information technology systems in support of its academic programs," Grey wrote in a letter to the commission. "Technological innovations of the last few years can enhance our academic effectiveness by expanding the pedagogical and research tools available to faculty, enriching students' learning experiences and building a stronger community of alumni, faculty, staff and students." Information technology was one of the areas identified by Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef last fall as on the "common agenda" for the campus to address this year. It also was the focus of the chancellor's fall conference, an annual gathering of campus leaders. Brian Higgins, professor of chemical engineering and materials science, has agreed to serve as chair of the commission. He plans to call its first meeting sometime in the next two weeks. Ideas, comments and suggestions will be solicited from the entire campus throughout the process, according to Higgins. He said the commission will have an active Web site that will keep the campus updated on the commission's activities, and it will encourage feedback from the community. In addition, he expects the commission to use campus focus groups as well for generating information about campus needs and suggestions for future directions. "We want to hear from as broad a perspective on campus as possible," said Higgins. "Information technology is moving very, very rapidly. If we want to take advantage of that technology, it's important for the campus to have a broad policy." Members of the commission were selected for various reasons, including their ability to view issues from a campuswide and national perspective. They represent a range of experience and seniority, from student to full professor, and they cross the academic disciplines. "We wanted people who had some experience or some vision in the area of information technology," said Bob Powell, faculty assistant to the provost. In addition to Higgins, the members of the commission are Caroline Bledsoe, associate professor of land, air and water resources; Ken Burtis, associate professor of molecular and cellular biology; Scott Gartner, assistant professor of political science; William Hornof, surgery and radiology professor in veterinary medicine; Alex Ledin, undergraduate student; Jim MacDonald, professor of plant pathology; David Rocke, professor of management; Wayne Slawson, professor and chair of music; John Stenzel, lecturer in English; William Thurston, professor of mathematics; Jessica Utts, professor of statistics and associate vice provost for university outreach; and Kent Wilken, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering. The commission's work will build on the earlier findings of the Information Technology Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Carole Barone, associate vice chancellor for the Information Technology unit on campus. Submitted in 1992, the committee's recommendations helped guide development during the last four years of management and administrative systems, as well as installation of a faster fiber-optic system to carry a greater electronic load. "Our investments in information technology infrastructure have positioned the campus's academic programs to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new technologies," Grey said. In particular, commission members will be looking at five areas. They have been asked to identify key issues and actions that would allow the campus to take full advantage of new instructional technologies; to identify particular technological strategies and policies that will enhance the scholarly work of the faculty and promote the university's research mission; to identify strategies for enhancing and strengthening the campus's public service and outreach missions; suggest strategies for forming partnerships with corporations, government agencies and other educational institutions; and to provide measures of success and timetables that can be used to assess UC Davis' progress.