6. Evaluation Strategies

A system as complex and ubiquitous as the campus data network requires periodic review and evaluation. As the campus network provides the primary access to the larger Internet community, evaluation strategies must include analyses of how and where the Internet is most heavily used and how campus data flows might optimize that traffic.

Evaluation of network statistics provide key information on how the network is used and who is using it. In turn, this must lead to assessment mechanisms to gauge user satisfaction with the network and the tools used to make use of the network. At the base level, there are the tools provided within the network protocol itself -- Telnet, FTP, SMTP mail -- that provide fundamental access to the Internet. But as campus use of the network and the Internet matures, the campus network community itself will build on those tools to provide special "campus customized" tools used on the network. Network services should evaluate user needs and, where appropriate, design user friendly interface mechanisms especially suited to special campus area needs.

While the use of quantitative methods of evaluation are important, they can not replace qualitative methods. If end-users are unhappy, if problems continue to be reported even though the statistics and technical monitors show few errors, organizations must recognize that serious problems do exist and take immediate action to resolve them.

The use of the Internet itself and its impact on campus research and instruction goals must be reviewed and evaluated. The introduction of new technology inevitably involves reorientation and new means of communication. While this should be a benefit to the campus community as a whole, the new technologies may leave some segments of the community disoriented. A careful evaluation of the impact of this new technology should determine not only which areas of campus benefit from Internet participation, but also which areas are not benefitting from the new technology. Planning strategies should include special attention to areas not making use of network resources to make those areas aware of the potential benefits and to provide training in the use of the network. In summary, universities, schools, colleges and institutions in the Internet community must incorporate a mechanism to evaluate both hidden benefits as well as hidden costs of that participation.