Goals and Priorities for 2013-2014 | Information Technology Systems and Services

Priorities for 2013-2014

Alignment: Align ITSS planning with the UMD Strategic Plan, UMD Program Prioritization Project, and UM system-wide planning efforts. Assist UMD IT professionals outside of ITSS to align their planning and activities as well. [UMD-SP 6.3]
Active and Online Learning: Continue support for online and hybrid learning environments and active learning classrooms. Establish two faculty fellow positions and additional ITSS staff support for these activities. Establish four new active learning classrooms. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Computing, Voice, and Network Infrastructure: Complete work to connect UMD remote sites to the regional fiber optic hub. Expand conversion of physical servers to virtual server infrastructure. Promote greater adoption of voice features. [UMD-SP 6.2 and 6.6]
Process Improvement: Adapt Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) processes for use at UMD ITSS to improve response to incidents and problems and manage change more effectively. [UMD-SP 6.3 and 6.4]
Improve Campus Web Site: Work with UMD External Affairs to revise the design, organization, content, and management of the UMD web site. [UMD-SP 6.5]

Goals for 2013-2014

The goals below are not listed in order of importance. The projects listed under each goal are a subset of all we will do. We encourage each ITSS team to determine how their projects will help to support our goals.

Improve Billing and Accounting Services

Improve tracking and renewal of software licenses. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Revise ISO rate-setting process.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Develop budget for FY15.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Assist other teams with inventory processes.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve ISO inventory compliance and reporting for resale materials.[UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Classroom Technology

Establish four new active learning classrooms.[UMD-SP 1.5]
Expand centralized control of classroom technology. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Improve wireless access in all large lecture halls. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Consider the need for improved wireless access in all medium-sized classrooms. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Review student response systems and develop a strategy for the future. [UMD-SP 1.5]

Improve Computing Infrastructure Services

Expand conversion of physical servers to virtual server infrastructure. [UMD-SP 6.6]
Establish and improve effective change management processes.[UMD-SP 6.3]
Improve security scanning process for servers. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve inventory and management of servers. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Centralize and secure server access for systeam administrators. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Reduce the number of server rooms on campus. [UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Data and Application Services

Establish and improve effective change management processes.[UMD-SP 6.3]
Support the PeopleSoft upgrade (ESUP). [UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve printing from enterprise applications, especially Peoplesoft. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Evaluate strategies and tools for mass email. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Support the Enterprise Asset Management Project (Famis Replacement). [UMD-SP 6.5]
Participate in the University-wide constituent relationship management system implementation. Provide local support for UMD campus units.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Complete annual security review of critical applications.[UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Learning Technology Services

Continue support for online and hybrid learning environments. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Establish two faculty fellow positions and additional ITSS staff support for online and hybrid learning activities. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Support the comprehensive plan for learning and teaching support that includes a center of teaching and learning, a writing center, tutoring services, and a library commons area. [UMD-SP 1.7]
Expand support for class-capture, desktop conferencing, and other video technologies. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Encourage and support course redesign projects to include active learning strategies, best practices, and alternate modes of delivery. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Determine the next generation of portfolio application and begin transition from ePortfolio to the new solution. [UMD-SP 1.3]
Consider the future of eGradebook and WebDrop.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Consider alternate ways to deliver test scoring and student evaluations.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Determine a strategy for password-protected web sites. [UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Network Services

Complete work to connect UMD remote sites to the regional fiber optic hub.[UMD-SP 6.2 and 6.6]
Improve wireless networking services, including roaming, secure wireless, login pages, printing, and projecting. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve wireless networking in Athletics facilities. [UMD-SP 6.6]
Establish and improve effective change management processes.[UMD-SP 6.3]
Establish telecommunications in the new CUB Building. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Participate in all campus renovation and building projects.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve network infrastructure in the Medical School. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Install security cameras inside selected campus buildings for increased security. [UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Planning and Management

Align ITSS planning with the UMD Strategic Plan, UMD Program Prioritization Project, and UM system-wide planning efforts. Maintain strong collaboration and coordination between IT staff within UMD units, ITSS, and University of Minnesota technology units. [UMD-SP 6.3 and 6.5]
Adapt Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) processes for use at UMD ITSS to improve response to incidents and problems and manage change more effectively.[UMD-SP 6.3 and 6.4]
Consider next steps to improve disaster recovery. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Consolidate campus emergency communications. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve the ITSS physical environment, policies, and procedures to demonstrate inclusiveness. Emphasize social justice to support recruitment, retention, and support of ITSS staff and student employees. [UMD-SP 2.2, 2.6 and 6.3]
Respond to audit findings and use them as a basis for improved operations. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Encourage staff training and professional development. Provide leadership training program.[UMD-SP 6.3]
Provide a respectful and safe working environment for staff that encourages them to remain employed at ITSS.[UMD-SP 6.3]
Meet and coordinate activities with our campus partners.[UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Student Computing Services

Re-evaluate laptop loaner programs, in collaboration with the TechCenter Team.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Establish and deliver software as a service to student-owned computers. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Expand virtual desktop solution to full-access services for students. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Support the development of the Math Emporium, Writing Center, and Tutoring Center with computing services. [UMD-SP 1.5]

Improve TechCenter Services

Establish a connection between the UMD Help Desk and OIT 1-HELP for off-hours support.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Research and establish remote desktop support service.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Establish a strategy for improving printing on campus. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Establish expertise to support Microsoft Windows 8. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve accounts management.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Move Mailman lists and class aliases into Google Apps. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve inventory processes.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Improve the computer repair process in order to reduce customer wait time. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Re-evaluate laptop loaner programs, in collaboration with the Student Computing Team.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Expand use of encryption and secure wireless on campus laptops and other devices that require additional security.[UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Training Services

Establish training in effective use of active-learning classrooms. [UMD-SP 1.5]
Provide training on proper use of the variety of file storage options. [UMD-SP 6.3]
Consider training on audio and video editing and production. [UMD-SP 1.5 and 6.3]
Consider refresher training for telephone and voice features. [UMD-SP 6.3]
Establish training for access to enterprise data in the new enterprise applications. [UMD-SP 6.3]
Deliver training on the use of Drupal as the University's new content management system. [UMD-SP 6.3]

Improve Voice Services

Promote greater adoption of voice features. [UMD-SP 6.2 and 6.6]
Establish and improve effective change management processes.[UMD-SP 6.3]
Improve cellular phone coverage on campus. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Participate in all campus renovation and building projects.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Provide voice services to NRRI.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Expand the deployment of IP telephones, including to College of Pharmacy Duluth. [UMD-SP 6.5]

Improve Web Services

Work with UMD External Affairs to revise the design, organization, content, and management of the UMD web site. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Develop expertise with new Drupal content management system and assist the campus in conversion.[UMD-SP 6.5]
Establish and deploy a tool to enable web developers and content providers to easily find and correct errors in the web site. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Establish a process for regular review and update of content on the ITSS web site. [UMD-SP 6.5]
Investigate the possibility of replacing personal web space with Google Sites. [UMD-SP 6.5]