UW Support Services Plan
Information Technology Progress Report

 March 2008

1. SIS/WyoWeb portal technology:

Portal implementation completed. Enhancements are ongoing. (IT Action Item 1)

2. WyoWeb as a communications tool:

Many elements completed; working with Student Affairs on others. (IT Action Item 1)

3. Protecting privacy and personal data:

IT has completed removal of SSN as primary identifier from administrative systems. (IT Action Item 3)

4. Expand remote network access:

RFP issued for new wireless system and vendor chosen for implementation AY08. Award for WiFi network given to Aruba Networks. Existing Equipment upgraded with new Aruba equipment. Wireless access is currently being expanded to new campus areas including student apartments. (IT Action Item 16)

5. UW Technology Planning Team:

Technology Planning Council formed in May, 2006. (IT Action Item 26)

6. Information Technology Services Review:

Review completed. Initiatives recommended are implemented or under consideration/evaluation by the Technology Planning Council. (IT Action Item 27)

7. Network funding:

Recurring funding for the data network was approved by the Legislature. (IT Action Item 35)

8. Funding for central information technology equipment replacement:

Recurring and one time funding was approved by the Legislature. (IT Action Item 29)

9. Support for total cost of ownership of PeopleSoft applications:

TCO Model completed and partial recurring funding approved by the Legislature.  (IT Action Item 25)

16. Disability services:

Working with Disability Services, IT expanded adaptive technology in student computer labs.

22. Streamlining processes - review and prioritize business processes that can be automated through PeopleSoft systems:

Working with Administration and Finance; review of new processes for automation and application of new functionalities ongoing.

23. Enhance UW’s Web-based services and Web presence:

New servers with greater capacity and additional software installed. Main project and portal work completed. Enhancements are on-going task.

26. Emergency preparedness:

IT participated in Pandemic Planning and Emergency Notification Planning for Crisis Management. IT, working with Student Affairs, implemented an emergency notification system, UW Alert, to text message students, faculty, and staff who register their cellular phone numbers with UW Alert. 9,850 registered for the notification system as of June, 2008.

27. Disaster Recovery:

Updated IT Disaster Recovery Plan is being developed. New remote backup facilities in Cheyenne completed. When completed, new ITF computing center will further reduce vulnerabilities. IT is evaluating other disaster recovery projects. IT is virtualizing numerous servers to enhance mobility and enable placement in remote machine rooms. IT is also procuring disk resources that will be distributed in remote machine rooms.

43. Implement and market the Hathaway Scholarship Program:

Main project completed; working with Student Affairs on enhancements and additional functionality. Implementing modifications to Banner system.

46. Scholarship awards:

IT is working with Student Affairs to develop additional functionality for awards process.

48. Reporting strategies and data access:

Technical items completed by IT.

49. Technology Enhancements for Academic programs to support teaching and learning:

Microsoft software provided to students. Remote Lab Mobile Computing Initiative Committee Report submitted Academic Affairs. New IT position of Instructional Technology Support Manager filled. Various other projects completed and under evaluation. Research is complete for remotely accessible student lab system technologies and proof of concept laboratory is currently under development. Coordination of student support services with LeaRN. (IT Action Items 8, 9 and 12)

58. Information Technology building:

Facilities Planning has Construction underway and on schedule for 2009 completion. (IT Action Item 21)

66. Renovate Coe Library:

Renovation includes a new IT operated student computing lab in Information Library and Learning Center that is under construction.

68. Relocate Survey Research and Wyoming Statistical Analysis Center:

IT provided fiber network to Office Annex Building for communications to support relocation.

76. Lighting and emergency telephones Team:

Worked with Team to identify telephone needs and implement installation of emergency phones at locations identified.

79. Centralized facilities scheduling:

Working with Administration and Finance and CollegeNet R25/S25 software is in production.

80. Audiovisual equipment and instructional technology:

IT has hired Instructional Technology Support Manager; institution-wide oversight committee has been formed. (IT Action Item 9)

83. Support Outreach:

Remote access lab pilot implemented; full development AY08/09. Enhanced video teleconferencing services implemented to support distance learning. Microsoft Campus Agreement is available to outreach students. Internet technologies implemented by IT Help Desk to better support Outreach and other students. (IT Action Item 11)

84. Support services for off-campus students:

Remote access lab pilot implemented; full development AY08/09. Enhanced video teleconferencing services implemented to support distance learning. Microsoft Campus Agreement is available to outreach students. Internet technologies implemented by IT Help Desk to better support Outreach and other students. (IT Action Item 12)

85. Increase college-going rate among Wyoming high school graduates:

IT is working with Student Affairs to provide support for WyoWeb as a tool to increase student recruitment and retention.

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