Advocating Computer Literacy and Training for UNC-Chapel Hill Staff
RESOLUTION OF THE EMPLOYEE FORUM
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
December 3, 1997
WHEREAS, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is among the nation’s leading institutions in employing and advocating the use of computer technology in instruction, administration and research; and
WHEREAS, proficiency in the use of computers and electronic communications is essential to the satisfactory performance of many positions in the University and to the ability to achieve advancement to many positions inside and outside the University; and
WHEREAS, proficiency in the use of computers and electronic communications is increasingly essential in becoming an informed and effective member of society; and
WHEREAS, many University employees, especially those in lower pay grades, do not possess adequate computer knowledge and skill, do not have access to computers at their work site, and do not follow traditional work schedules; and
WHEREAS, many University employees, especially those in lower pay grades, have difficulty overcoming reluctance and other barriers to taking computer training classes and becoming proficient in their use, and do not receive encouragment from their supervisors to do so
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the University’s administration be encouraged to commit itself to the following goals and provide the resources to achieve them:
1) The attainment of a basic, minimal level of computer literacy by all UNC-CH staff by the year 2000. Literacy includes the ability to use computers to communicate and to access electronic-based information important to one’s job and to obtain information about University activities. It further includes the ability to use basic productivity applications and information systems essential or important to their jobs.
2) Computer access at the work site of all UNC-CH staff, including access to e-mail, the World Wide Web, and job-essential productivity applications and information systems.
3) Arranging for computer training classes, already available during work time and at other times, to be held both at centralized, easily accessible locations and, for departments that are new to computer use, at the work site.
4) Encouragement of all UNC-CH staff, especially staff in the lower pay grades, to take computer training classes, to make use of work site computers and to gain proficiency in their use.
5) Encouragement of supervisors, especially supervisors of UNC-CH staff in the lower pay grades, to encourage staff to take computer training classes on their own time, but also to allow them to take computer training classes during work time if work loads and schedules permit. Furthermore, supervisors should permit access to work site computers for reasonable periods of time to gain proficiency in their use and to receive official University information.
Signed on behalf of the Delegates of the Employee Forum
Bob Schreiner, Chair