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About OIT

The Office of Information Technology provides the foundation and services that support Ohio University’s faculty, students and staff in their use of technology in learning, teaching, research, and administrative pursuits. The Office of Information Technology consists of Information Security, Networks and Infrastructure, Systems and Operations, Customer Support Services, Academic Technology, Business Intelligence, Web Services & Departmental Solutions, and the CIO Office which includes Project Management & Communications, as well as various major programs such as the Student Information System. The primary role of the Office of Information Technology is to serve as an agent to the campus community in leveraging technology to advance and support the mission and goals of the university.

Mission and Management Approach

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) provides information technology and services to the entire Ohio University community. These services include but are not limited to information security, network and systems infrastructure, enterprise-wide applications, voice and video communications, customer IT support services, academic technologies and training, web and departmental applications, IT policies/procedures, and overall technology leadership.

 The Office of Information Technology’s mission and goals are:

 To ensure reliable, secure, innovative, and customer-oriented information technology services and solutions are available to advance the academic mission and objectives of Ohio University.

 

Goals

·         Provide information technology planning, development and leadership to the University community

·         Provide a robust, secure, and up-to-date information infrastructure

·         Investigate new technologies and implement provision of customer-oriented and integrated applications and services

·         Provide transparent and measurable management practices

 Governance                                                                                   

The Office of Information Technology is committed to seeking continual feedback and guidance from the university community. To that end, a network of open and two-way communication with stakeholders is in place. The following groups were established in 2007 and continue to provide the division with the necessary information required for successful planning, direction, and support.

  • Information Technology Advisory Council (ITAC) - ITAC is the presidentially-approved cross-institution advisory and guidance group with the responsibility to provide input and direction on IT–related matters across Ohio University. This Council is comprised of members from all aspects of the University including faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, deans, administrators, and technologists. To facilitate discussion and evaluation of complex IT issues, the ITAC is supported by four active focus groups:

 

  • Faculty Technology IT Group (FTAG) - FTAG provides faculty input and guidance on matters impacting faculty, students, and instruction with recent topics including the faculty center in the new student information system (SIS), campus-wide active directory implementation, and the research server centralization exemption process. For FY10-11, FTAG is continuing to review deployment of the new SIS and also undertaking a review of the course management system selection.
  • Administrative Technology Advisory Group (ATAG) - ATAG has representation from all major university planning units and provides review and ratings for purchased and/or developed applications. The OIT Project Office works with planning units interested in a new software/service to develop a cost and technical benefit analysis. This analysis is then taken to ATAG for review and rating. Projects are then ranked according to rating, and placed in priority order on the OIT project slate, for work as appropriate resources become available.
  • Web Advisory Group (WAG) – This group is comprised of representatives from across the University with interest and involvement in web-related services. Co-chaired by the CIO and the UCM Executive Director, WAG defines standards and services available for the entire campus. WAG recommended web content be managed at the departmental level through use of easy-to-use templates in Commonspot webpage software.
  • Major Project Oversight Groups – Advisory groups of faculty, students, and administrators are created to guide implementation of major IT initiatives. For instance, both the Rufus Advisory Group and the Rufus Faculty Policy Advisory Group meet regularly to review and advise on services/policies related to the new PeopleSoft Student Information System (SIS) that have an impact on faculty and students.

 

  • Executive Oversight Group - Information Technology at Ohio University is also governed by an executive oversight group comprised of the President, CIO, EVP Provost, VP Finance & Administration, members of the Board of Trustees, and selected external experts. This body was created as a result of the 2006 security breaches and has continued through development and implementation of the IT Improvement Plan.