* ENABLE * EFFECTIVE * VALUE *

The University of Alaska (UA) Office of Information Technology (OIT) is a merged unit composed of UA (System or Statewide (SW)) staff and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) staff. OIT is guided by both system principals and campus principals, rooted in the strategic areas of focus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. OIT provides university consumers with technology, tools and resources to support and enhance learning, research and outreach for Alaskans.

OIT Priorities for FY10

This spreadsheet outlines the top areas of focus for OIT for FY10.  

OIT exists to serve and empower the University community, facilitating the University's mission to educate Alaskans and supporting basic and applied research to advance economic opportunity. OIT recognizes that its value is predicated on how well it provides high quality services and maintains stable technologies to support the university missions. As a result, OIT is committed to:

• Providing access to robust, reliable and cost-effective technology infrastructure for teaching, research, and outreach;
• Supporting a common set of basic IT services that provides access to networks, information systems, and support services;
  
• Maintaining clearly articulated service levels to meet the expectations of both IT users and service providers;
• Engaging and communicating with the user base to assist OIT to establish and evaluate service priorities and to provide appropriate institutional oversight;
• Planning in partnership with faculty, students, and administration for future IT services and requirements needed to support university programs and enhance competitiveness for Alaska institutions; and
• Implementing fiscal management practices appropriate for higher education to provide high quality, cost-effective basic services and differential services.
  

User Services (US) is the front line group working directly with students, faculty and staff, ensuring delivery of IT services. User Services is the first point of contact to assist with technology needs and provides help desk assistance, training, and desktop support. Additionally, User Services is an integral part of UAF’s instructional delivery through academic computing support (smart classrooms, computer labs, Blackboard) and video conferencing for distance education. User Services hosts several events including the annual Rural Sites Training Conference, Faculty Spotlight and the upcoming TechFest '09 (September 23-25, 2009) which will showcase new technologies for learning and research.

Applications Services (AS) programs academic and business solutions for the university system. These solutions range from system applications such as Banner and MyUA to MAU solutions such as email and calendaring to individual department solutions. AS implements an integrated vision to facilitate and enhance the University of Alaska’s teaching, management and service missions.  AS continues to modify Banner to accommodate new payroll and student financial aid regulations. Additionally, AS works closely with the UA Scholars program to improve the security of student personal information. AS will continue working toward a single sign-on environment for online UA resources.

Infrastructure Technology Services (ITS) provides the foundation and security for all deployed systems including networks, telephones, and servers. The university requires continuous operation of these critical systems, which are available and monitored twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. ITS participates in internal and external reviews resulting in identification of single points of failure and security vulnerabilities.

Technology Oversight Services (TOS) provides leadership in strategic planning, project management and technology innovation. Working closely with the CITO, TOS provides oversight of the planning and implementation of OIT services throughout the UA system. One of the challenges for TOS is to summarize technology services in a clear, concise format to allow both OIT and the university to measure the quality of these services.

OIT Central Operations include the Executive Officer and IT Business Office. The Executive Officer is the OIT Chief Financial Officer responsible for financial management, strategic planning and alignment, and management of the OIT Business Office. Business Office operational responsibility includes fiscal operations, procurement, human resources, travel, and recharge center coordination. Serving as the OIT liaison to UA and UAF executive management, the Executive Officer coordinates and reviews all OIT budget requests and business plans.