Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 12 text:

Bell Project Begins Most Temple students were aware of the new telecom- munications system, but few actually knew what all the fuss was about. The system was only part of a proposed $40 million infor- mation technology network. The telecommunications pro- ject, budgeted at an estimated $12 million, was only the first phase of the plan. This first phase created confusion and frustration among students because of construction and drilling. The con- struction was necessary, however, to lay the foundations of the system. Unlike workers at other major construction jobs who lay pipe or concrete, the telecommunications workers at Tem- ple laid miles and miles of cable and fiber optic cable. The cable lines will stretch to all five Temple campuses: Main, Health Sciences, TUCC, Tyler and Ambler. The contract for the project was given to BellAtlanticom Inc. The work began August 8, 1984, and the expected completion date is January 1, 1986. When the total telecommunications and computer net- work is completed, said President Liacouras, Temple will truly be the university of the future, at the forefront of colleges and universities with advanced technology. This first phase was the electronic roadmap for the com- puter and information system at Temple.

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BEhind The Ecehes flt 1515 ISIS is obviously a tremendous technological advance for Temple. Its capabilities and programs are extensive. But the mainframe of this state-of-the-art system is a visual disappointment. The entire mainframe, the part of ISIS that stores information, is contained in three blue steel cabinets on the eighth floor of the Computer Activity Building. The rest of the floor houses the remainder of the system. Even though the hardware that keeps ISIS functioning is not too impressive, the mainframe is protected by a virtual for- tress of Temple staff and security. A private computer firm manages the system, and an electronic lock guards the en- trance. To open the doors a secret code must be punched into the small box on the wall by the entrance. Such tight security is necessary because students ' academic and financial records are stored in ISIS. Administrative and faculty information is also stored in ISIS ' memory chips. Authorization to enter the mainframe area must be obtained from one of only a select group of people. Visitors to the eighth floor of the Computer Activity Building are accompa- nied by an escort at all times. So there is more to ISIS than meets the average student ' s eye. The terminals and printers of registration are only a small part of the complex system that is Temple ' s brain.

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TEMPLE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT EXP HED COMPLETION DATErDECEMBER 1985 FUNDING ' - UNIVERSITY BOND ISSUE Opposite: Re-wiring for the network clut- ters the hallways of Ritter Annex. Left: A sign announces the new project. Above: A Bell worker installs a new office tele- phone: a diagram of the new power switches: the system is supervised from the BellAtlanticom office on the fourth floor of Seltzer Hall.