A Vision of
Information Technology at UVM
Draft
3
There is an
ongoing and coordinated central mechanism with campus representation
guiding IT planning and resource allocation, resulting in a robust IT
infrastructure upon which progressively beneficial projects are
built. Employing this modern electronic technology fosters an
environment of collaboration and open sharing of information.
University information
resources are designed in a way that optimizes ease of use and
support.
- Access to University
information systems assumes and is based on demonstrated
competency at a relevant level in using these systems. This
competency is achieved through broad and varied educational
opportunities.
- Hardware and software
standards are set, updated, maintained and communicated by CIT,
with appropriate counsel from the campus community. Only systems
meeting these standards will be centrally supported.
- Departmental desktop
support standards and
expectations are defined centrally, and CIT provides all necessary support beyond
what trained and self-reliant users would be able to do
themselves. Application support is provided centrally to
complement the knowledge of skilled users.
- Guidelines exist to
create uniformity in the way common tasks are performed by
different units.
- proficiency in
technology-based communication skills is expected, including
uniform collaboration tools (e.g. email, calendars and other
groupware tools).
Institutional information
is available to all who need it, along with the education and
guidance necessary to interpret it correctly.
- Institutional information systems employ
a consistent interface using standard software and incorporate
"just-in-time" electronic guidance such that the use of University
operational systems requires no particular expertise other
than a general ability to navigate our electronic environment.
- Security systems do not
unnecessarily restrict access to operational and planning
information, and as such are predicated upon an environment of
common trust.
- Access is not confined
to a specific workstation, allowing users to perform their work
from various locations.
- Departments and
individuals have direct electronic access to transactional systems
(e.g. no more paper forms).
- Along with universal
access comes responsibility for proper use, and individuals are
held responsible for how this information is used in representing
the University.
- Standard, supported IT
resources are widely available across the campus.
Students, faculty and
staff are able to depend upon the reliability and integrity of the
systems to do their work.
- There are appropriate
controls to insure data integrity and consistency.
- Unobtrusive security
systems insure controlled access to a wide range of authorized
users.
- Reliable automatic
back-up systems for centralized and decentralized data insure easy
and prompt recovery when necessary.
The guiding
principles in achieving and maintaining this status for use of
technology at UVM are improving service and adding value, which
includes cost decreases and revenue enhancements. These are applied
in the context of expected continuing limitations on resources and
the increasingly competitive nature of higher
education.
Last revised: 8 April
1997