UW-Eau Claire FY2013 UW Institutional IT Plans

 

Information Technology & University Strategic Objectives

UW-Eau Claire utilizes a centralized computing support model.  The central IT unit that is charged with providing IT services is called Learning & Technology Services (LTS). 

 In support of the University Purpose, Vision, and Strategic Goals, LTS, in consultation with various faculty, administrators, and students, has identified the following objectives in its planning

w  Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction by providing high quality ideas, reliable products, and efficient and courteous services

w  Provide a robust networking and communication infrastructure in a secure, 7x24 environment

w  Provide information and instructional technologies that meet the needs of the campus for education, research, communication, and administration

w  Establish collaborative relationships and partnerships to ensure success of LTS and campus initiatives

w  Build and maintain a compelling work environment for LTS staff

w  Provide services and products using methods best suited to a sustainable environment

 

LTS regularly does SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and strives to make sure its operational plan ties to LTS’ strategic plan which links to the campus strategic plan.

LTS links to all seven strategic goals in UW-Eau Claire’s Centennial Plan http://www.uwec.edu/Chancellor/stratPlan/upload/StratPlanFINAL.pdf including Promoting Connected Learning through providing listservs, email, web space, web-based course management software, and shared networked disk storage space.  The LTS Strategic Plan and LTS Operational Plans are located on our web site http://www.uwec.edu/LTS/projects/index.htm.  They are in ADA accessible format and are accessible to all students, faculty and staff attending/working at UW-Eau Claire.

LTS’s plans are measured through several methods; Service Level Agreements, satisfaction surveys, and coming in within budget and on time according to project plans.  Our ultimate measurement is if our students, faculty and staff would recommend us to others. 

With ever more constrained resources due to multiple base budget cuts, LTS has developed several ways to ensure projects are on-time, within budget, and that the time and effort is reasonable.  LTS uses project plans, Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Project  to track complex projects and LTS utilizes multiple cross functional advisory groups.   One, for our Campus Solutions student administration system, made up of functional directors and faculty that have to approve any work that is not already approved in a plan that requires over 14 hours of effort.  Another advisory group is for our campus software systems, including in-house and third-party developed software initiatives.  The Learning Technology Cross Functional Team meets bi-weekly to discuss initiatives.

 

 

Projects for FY2013 [Important campus projects costing less than $1 million]

 

Classroom Upgrades
Continue digital upgrades of Distance Education classrooms and expand the project to retrofit departmental labs with digital signal transmission. 

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
200 hours	$159,000 Academic affairs carry over; purchased in previous fiscal year

 

 

 

Video Content Management
Implement the VBrick software to support the creation, publishing and distribution of rich media content on-demand to support distance and in-person education.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
120 hours	$83,400 equipment funds from Blugold Commitment grant; purchased in previous fiscal year

 

 

 

Mobile Technology Infrastructure
Implement a mobile device framework and provide access to library data, campus maps, news, and other useful UW-Eau Claire information.  Enhance support for mobile services.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
2,000 hours	$125,572 from Blugold Commitment grant; purchased in previous fiscal year	Virtual general access labs; Expand wireless infrastructure

 

 

 

Virtual General Access Labs Pilot Evaluation and Zero Client Deployment
Continue implementation of a virtualized desktop lab for students and staff that is scalable to full campus use.  Expand the initial pilot with more software titles and make it available to more students and faculty for both on-campus and off-campus usage.  Evaluate pilot implementation of Zero Client Deployment and expand in on-site general access labs and other areas suitable for utilizing thin clients.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
1,020 hours	$260,000 (partially fund by reducing the number of computers in GA labs)

 

 

 

Continue Implementation of Campus Solutions
Support implementation of the Academic Advising module and requested enhancements to the system.  Continue interfaces and enhancements to Campus Solutions implementation.  Troubleshoot problems and support operations in functional offices.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
2,000 hours	$120,000/Campus funding (purchased in previous fiscal year)	Retirement of legacy software and server

 

 

 

Retirement of legacy software and server
Develop software alternatives to replace the systems still running on the legacy system.  This normally takes the form of enhancements to the MyBlugold CampS system but may also involve implementation of third-party software systems.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
2,000 hours	LTS funding	Continue implementation of Campus Solutions

 

 

 

Co-locate servers to a regional data center
Partner with Chippewa Valley Technical College and WiscNet in co-locating to a regional data center at the current NanoRite Technology Center.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
Unknown-pending project plan	$250,000 campus carry over (purchased in previous fiscal year)

 

 

 

Expand Wireless infrastructure on campus
Expand the wireless networking hardware as more traffic is moving from wired connections.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
Unknown-pending project plan	LTS funding

 

 

 

Implement a campus intranet
Implement the infrastructure for a campus-wide intranet and digital workplace and migrate existing content to that intranet.  Upgrade SharePoint to the latest version, configure a site structure for the MyBlugold intranet, establish a training and support program and migrate previous intranet content.

Hours	Budget/Source	Related Projects
2,000 hours	LTS funding

 

 

 

Projects for FY2010 costing over $1 million

Campus Solutions Academic Advising being completed (covered in UW-System report)