Decision Support Center

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Decision Support Center

• Faculty Development Center, CSUF

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Overview
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What is the DSC?
The Decision Support Center is a state-of-the-art
conference room at CSUF that can be reserved for
meetings and conferences. This room is
designed for facilitating collaboration between
colleagues in a computer-mediated,
human-facilitated environment.
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How is the DSC used?
The DSC is used for any meeting that requires
frank and honest discussion among colleagues
with 100 buy in. It is also most useful when
decisions must be made, or consensus reached.
Anonymity promotes an environment of productive
discussion. The DSC is most commonly used for

• Strategic planning
• Decision-making
• Brainstorming
• Problem-solving
• Program design and re-design

• Building consensus
• Critiquing
• Evaluation
• Presentation
• Idea-building

• Almost any meeting imaginable!

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Decision Support Center Technology

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Software GroupSystems
The DSC uses a group discussion and collaboration
software called GroupSystems. GroupSystems
provides a variety of network based tools that
help to facilitate collaboration and
idea-building between participants. The results
are collected into a convenient report that can
be viewed later or e-mailed to an group leader.
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The Network
The DSC consists of 21 networked desktop
workstations that are controlled by the
administrator (the DSC Coordinator), and used by
the participants to submit ideas, comments, and
vote on issues.
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Projector
Input ideas
Ideas are shown on screen
Ideas are pooled
Every workstation allows participants to input
comments and answer questions based on the topic
or subject. Those electronically inputted
comments are sent to the software operator and
then projected onto the screen at the front of
the room.
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The DSC Your Meeting
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Conducting a Meeting in the DSC
The DSC uses technology to facilitate idea
building, collaboration and problem-solving. Each
idea helps towards achieving a goal. Anonymous
input allows everyone to focus on the idea, not
the person delivering the idea. Collaboration is
possible through safe, focused idea building.
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Using the DSC Effectively
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The Human Component to a successful session!
Everyone plays an integral part in creating a
smoothly running class session or meeting! In
the DSC, we encourage facilitated dialogue and
guided discussions between participants, whether
electronically or interactively.
There are three human components to a successful
DSC session

• The Facilitator
• The Participant
• The Software Operator

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Human Component The Facilitator

• The Facilitator is usually an administrator,
  staff, or faculty member who has requested use of
  the DSC.
• Expectations of the Facilitator
• Guides the discussion
• Meets with the SW Operator to create an agenda
• Creates the agenda based upon the subject or
  topic of the session
• Encourages dialogue based on the subject/topic

Meetings should include face-to-face discussion,
as well as electronic submissions.
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Human ComponentThe Participant

• The Participant is usually a staff,
  administrator, or faculty member who will be
  using a workstation to enter comments or
  responses.
• Expectations of the Participant
• To input their raw ideas and feedback based on
  the topic or subject matter.
• To engage in thoughtful dialogue based on the
  subject or topic

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Human ComponentThe Software Operator

• The SW Op is the DSC Coordinator who will be
  operating the software to conduct the meeting or
  class session.
• Expectations of the Software Operator
• To meet with the Facilitator to discuss and
  develop the agenda
• To input the agenda into GroupSystems
• To electronically control the agenda as the
  meeting or class progresses
• To consult with the Facilitator to stay on track
  of the agenda as the meeting or class progresses
• The SW Op is just there to help with operating
  the software, not to run the meeting. The SW Op
  maintains neutrality regarding meeting content,
  but may assist with process.

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Reserving the DSC
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Rules for Using the DSC

• Must meet with the DSC Coordinator prior to the
  DSC sessionno exceptions.
• GroupSystems software must be used in order to
  reserve the room.
• If you DO NOT plan to use GroupSystems software,
  then an alternative meeting site should be found.
  Facilitator must be faculty, staff or
  administrator at CSUF
• Reservations must be made at least 7 days prior
  to session.
• All sessions are not confirmed until the DSC
  Coordinator verifies times, either via e-mail or
  by telephone.
• An agenda must be set before your scheduled DSC
  session.

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Reserving the Decision Support Center
Faculty, administrators and staff of CSUF may
reserve the DSC for meetings.

• To Reserve the DSC
• E-Mail the DSC Coordinator at spollack_at_fullerton.e
  du
• OR
• Download and fill out the form at
  http//fdc.fullerton.edu/dsc/infoform.pdf
• OR
• Call Sean Pollack, the DSC Coordinator at (714)
  278-4719 and leave your name, department, and the
  date youd like to reserve the DSC.
• Dates and times are based on availability. Give
  yourself plenty of lead time for planning as the
  DSC room is very busy.
• All requests will receive a confirmation
  telephone call or e-mail response within
  2-business days.
• DSC reservations must be accompanied by a
  planning meeting where the Coordinator will help
  you to build an agenda using the most effective
  technology tools available in the DSC.
• Reservations must be made at least 7days in
  advance!
• Agenda planning meetings must happen no later
  than 2 days before the scheduled session. NO
  EXCEPTIONS!

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Web Sites for Additional Reference