Electronic Dreams Become Ubiquitous Reality
Electronic Dreams Become Ubiquitous Reality
  • Lee Seol-hee
  • 승인 2007.07.26 14:40
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  As of the first day of September 2006, Yeungnam University (YU) will officially start its 'U-campus' program. Construction is ongoing around the university, and the 'U-campus' theme will be promoted heavily as the second semester starts. 'U' stands for ubiquitous, meaning that all people will be able to contact the electronic network whenever they want, without a computer.
  YU surveyed other universities in July last year with the intention of soon being a U-campus. The scheme was initiated, the contract not with S-ONE (SECOM), as previously agreed, but with KT Linkus (KT Telecom) providing extra functions and utilities. YU is to be a global university leading a 21st century society of knowledge and information, providing the best available education and service. YU initiated its U-campus plans on January 23rd before it opened to traffic. E-traffic has included 6,266 students, professors and staff, who had visited up until the date of June 30th this year. A question was posed to users as to their online experiences within the U-campus. Results were positive, with 50.97% in very satisfied, 42.74% satisfied, 4.84% normal, 1.13% so-so, and only 0.3% dissatisfied. Though there were many positive responses, we need to think about not only benefits but also the problems inherent in a U-campus.
  The first project in establishing the campus-wide plan is the development of the 'Smart Card System'.  The smart card, which has a newly attached IC (Integrated Circuit)-chip combined with the existing MS (Magnetic Stripe) Card is to enhance security with added functions provided, including control, electronic attendance, electronic cash and a traffic card.
  First of all, the Electronic Attendance System can make certain of a student's attendance upon the student's card making contact with the terminal which will be set up in each class soon. The system has already been established within lecture rooms accommodating not less than eighty people, and will be expended to every possible lecture room.
  Thanks to this system, time will be saved by not having to call the roll. On the other hand, there are some issues with the electronic attendance system. By calling the roll, professors could allow themselves to become familiar with students. Under this electronic attendance system, the two parties may become more estranged, for it will deprive both professors and students of this chance of growing intimate with each other. In addition, the possibility of proxy attendances present a serious problem which needs to be addressed.
  The Electronic Cash System will make convenient payment possible. The Smart Card will be able to be used for payment by charging at designated spots like at an ATM. Coins and bills are so bulky and heavy to carry that they are relatively inconvenient to use. The convenience and handiness of electronic cash can help avoid this inconvenience.
  Despite all the convenience offered by such a card, the inconvenience is all the greater should we loose it, or leave it at home for a day. We will need to find alternatives in case of such emergencies, and deal with such a risk.
  The Entrance Control and Crime Prevention Systems will allow people with permission to access specific places. This will not apply during school hours, and only authorized personnel will be able to come and go at night and on weekends. The library is currently freely available to everyone, but it will gain a higher level of security by identifying people automatically. On the other hand, it will be relatively restricted in that currently, local residents enjoy making good use of the university library. Considering counterplans, the Central Library has issued membership to local residents, allowing them to borrow three books every two weeks.
  A CCTV network will be set up in several places around the university for the safety of students. This will be established after the students state their opinions as to suitable places. CCTV cameras will be good guardians at secluded spots, but they can have a negative influence on one's private life. We should find an appropriate solution to this problem.
  As previously stated, it is certain that these systems will be convenient for university life, but it is also certain that there still seem to be many issues yet to be dealt with, such as system errors, leakage of personal information and proxy attendance.
  An Suk-kyung, from the management innovation department, said "We are considering what to do to make up for the weak points in the system. There will be ongoing inspections in the second semester." In September, an explanatory note is going to be distributed by the planning department which is managing the U-campus establishment project. Students should raise mention of any and all inconveniences caused by introduction of the U-campus system, and those responsible within the department of administration should make every effort to see it established correctly.

Five Profs. Retrieved from Disciplinary Measures
  In the May issue of The Yeungnam Observer (YNO) was a big write-up about disciplinary measures taken against five former professors at Yeungnam University (YU).  The trouble originated in February when the five, including Chung Tai-uk, Shin Woo-cheol, and Chae Hyung-bok from the College of Law, Kim Joo-hwan from the School of Ceramics and Semiconductor Materials, and Choi Mi-suk from the Department of Korean Language Education, revealed that they wanted to work at other universities, but the YU powers did not accept their resignations. According to a request by the professors, an Appeals Commission for Teachers in the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development granted the professors' request on June 28th. Now the professors may work elsewhere as they wish.
  The professors also saw their pension payments, due to be returned to them on their leaving employment with YU, withheld by the university. They have been referred to the National Pension Corporation to settle their dispute.
   Due to this event, YU has seen its reputation severely damaged. The challenge is now to determine who should take responsibility. The university authorities need to learn to discern right from wrong.


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