Administrative, Teaching, and Technical Support

1. Administrative and Instructional Computer Support - 0.5 FTE. Includes maintaining the undergraduate and M.Sc. computers, networking, administrative computing, and the library computers. We have this 0.5 FTE computer support person (SSP2) presently paid through endowment and grant funds, neither of which is at all appropriate funding for the basic Departmental infrastructure.

2. Educational Technologist. Astronomy springs from the human sense of curiosity and awe of the universe. The fundamental interest is universal: the issue is effective communication, teaching, and learning. Because so much of the fundamental scientific material of A&A is in the form of stunning images collected with a wide variety of sophisticated detectors, we have both content and medium for reaching and involving students and the public. There are also huge Web-based archives of data, for example at the Canadian Astronomical Data Centre and the Space Telescope Science Institute. DA already has a number of initiatives to couple the huge archive of images and data to our teaching. However, much needs to be done on an ongoing basis. Duties will include:

45pt $\bullet$  To focus the high interest and ability of the faculty and TA's on effective teaching and learning.

45pt $\bullet$  To develop and maintain software for laboratory/observatory activities for undergraduates.

45pt $\bullet$  To assist faculty with digital lecture development.

45pt $\bullet$  To develop further both teaching and public use of the St. George and DDO telescopes.

3. PSciNet Computing Support (joint with CITA). This award is very exciting. The basic expectation in the CFI application was 1 FTE to administer the A&A parallel computer (§ 2.5.3, § 3.1).

4. Teaching Assistants. TA support per student in an undergraduate course is very low, 2.3 TA hours per FCE (current total 70 hours $\times$ 33 ). Even at that rate, an increase in undergraduate enrollment by approximately 370 FCE will need 13 more 70-hour TAs. We will need 2 more 70-hour TAs for the computer-based laboratory exercises for introductory courses. These 15 additional units are essential for direct contact with students. Increased ambitions re writing requirements and scientific literacy indicate a more realistic bare minimum ought to be 4.5 to 5 TA hours per FCE (as currently at UTAS). We would then need a net increase of 70 hours $\times$ 57 (90 minus 33) instead of just 15. Our graduate students have demonstrated an unusual interest and ability in educational matters. Availability of enough killed TAs will be ensured by our increased graduate enrollment.

5. Secretary II. An area of concern flagged by the recent five-year external review of DA. Increased student numbers and anticipated growth in faculty along with down-loading of many academic and financial record keeping responsibilities requires one additional administrative position. This person will also provide essential backup for the Business Officer.