[1] How can this site be used?
The primary purpose of this website is to make it easier for Texas community-college trustees to share
information that will assist them in the govenance role to which they have been elected by the voters
of their communities. Thus the site supplies several tools for communication, discussion, and information:
links to Board web pages for all colleges, discussion of submitted questions, links to information resources submitted by trustees, polls on topics of interest,
individual messages between trustees, and CCATT announcements. [Top of page] |
[2] Who is invited to sign up to use its features?
People who have served as Texas community-college trustees. Current trustees will be verified via the
respective Board web pages, and former trustees will be verified by inquiry to current trustees. Other
people may see most of the site, but can not contribute material or vote on polls or item rankings. [Top of page] |
[3] Do I have to use website forms to set up my account or to submit comments or suggestions?
No, just email the information to webmaster@texastrustees.org and it promptly will be entered for you. [Top of page] |
[4] Can I specify the areas I am particularly interested in and find out who else shares my interest?
Yes, a variety of interest groups have been set up (more will be added if trustees want them).
The site provides facilities for joining, quitting, and sharing information among such groups. It is
also possible to list only those site items that have been marked as relevant to a chosen interest topic. [Top of page] |
[5] Is information on the site private?
No, although such things as email addresses are never shown online to others, and users must log on to
participate in the discussion forums. Individual messages between trustees are not displayed on the site,
although they (and all site submissions) are monitored administratively to ensure that the site is not
being used inappropriately. When dependably-private communication is needed, other channels should be used. [Top of page] |
[6] What actions can only be done by logged-on registered users?
Sending individual messages, submitting comments on site content, rating items or comments, and voting in polls. [Top of page] |
[7] Why don't I need to use a special "user name" and password for this site?
You will be asked for your name, email address, and college district once, when you first register.
You will later be able to log on with no typing: click on the "Log On" link at top right of all pages,
the appropriate college-name link among those that will next display, and your own name among the list
of members from that college. It is possible to add a password, but this will seldom be needed
(see next question). [Top of page] |
[8] Could someone else impersonate me on the website?
Not for long. Each time anything is submitted to the site that will be attributed to a user or change
a user account, a confirmation email is sent to the account email address (including the original one if
there is a change of address). This email contains a link that will permit you to revoke that and
subsequent submissions, and to set a password, if someone else submits something in your name. Submissions
are also checked by the webmaster prior to (or soon after) being posted. [Top of page] |
[9] How do I send a message to another registered trustee?
On the page reached by the "Members" link, each trustee who is accepting email has a small "Email"
link to the left of their name. Clicking on that will go to a form with which a message can be sent. If
you wish, you may tell the form to show your email address in the "Reply To" field in the email, making
it easy for the person receiving the message to begin a regular email exchange that does not use this site.
A copy of your message will be sent to the email address you have listed for your account. [Top of page] |
[10] How can trustees influence what is shown on the site?
Many items are displayed with "Rate" links that permit you to express your opinion of their value. For
each such item, your most recent rating will be remembered and used to give priority to that item in views
when you are logged on. It is also combined with ratings from other users to determine the default listing
order. This feedback will help others know which items are most likely to be useful. [Top of page] |
[11] How can I change my account information?
When you are logged on, the "Members" listing will have an "Update" link to the left of your name.
Click on that and make appropriate changes. A confirmation email will be sent for any change in your
information. Alternatively, simply send a webmaster request as explained in the next question. [Top of page] |
[12] How can I change or remove comments or other items that I have submitted?
Send a request stating what you want done to webmaster@texastrustees.org. Usually the change will be made within a few hours. [Top of page] |
[13] What can I do if something inappropriate is posted by someone else?
Send a request stating your concerns to webmaster@texastrustees.org. The content will be reviewed on a priority basis.
Anything that is abusive or private will be removed quickly. However, unwelcome opinions that are
expressed in a reasonable way will be respected, since this is a discussion and communication site,
not the official expression of a unified community-college viewpoint (that is done via ACCT and TACC,
or by votes taken by individual governing Boards). [Top of page] |
[14] To whom should I send suggestions for improvements to the website?
This website is a contribution to CCATT by Hunter Ellinger,
a former trustee at Austin Community College. He intends to keep enhancing it as users suggest
improvements with messages to him at hunter@ellinger.org. [Top of page] |
[15] Who has final authority over the website?
The website was developed in response to the initiative of Texas ACCT Chair Allen Kaplan, and will be
maintained according to the directives of the CCATT leadership group. But the effective authority over a
user-centered web site comes from the users themselves. If trustees find this site useful, it will grow
and align more closely with how they want to use it. Each trustee will have authority over his or her
own contributions, and each trustee will decide what is useful among its contents. [Top of page] |