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The Office of Information Technology aims to serve the IT needs of the university in the best fashion possible. To this end, there have been numerous changes to improve our services and ensure that we listen and are accountable to the university community. There have been changes inside our organization and in our leadership team to increase the efficiency of operations and improve the internal reporting structure. An IT Council has been initiated, which will act as OIT’s Board of Directors. It is composed of faculty and staff from across the university who will provide us with input, help us align IT strategies with university priorities, improve our campus-wide communications, assist us in our long-term planning, validate our priorities, and keep us on the right track.

We have also been reviewing our operations, services, and pricing structures. The organizational changes we have made will increase operational efficiency and eliminate duplication of services within OIT.

For example, in August, new long distance rates took effect and a new, simpler pricing structure for telecommunications services was introduced. These changes will potentially save the university in excess of $1.5 million annually on monthly telecommunication charges and $1.3 million on long distance fees. In addition, we substantially reduced wireless network access installation and service charges for colleges and departments earlier this year.

We intend to continue these reviews across the department in order to provide the best quality service to the university at the lowest prices. We will strive to add features wherever possible that will enhance the value of our existing services for you.

In addition, this edition of ITforUM is being produced exclusively online to save on printing and mailing costs. However, we have added features such as individual electronic files of the articles so you can easily print or forward them if you wish. Please let us know what you think of the electronic version. We will use your input to determine whether we will produce a printed version in the spring.

We are grateful for the support OIT has received from the university community during this time of many changes and would appreciate hearing your input on our operations and services.

Regards,

Mark Henderson Interim Vice President and CIO

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