New Technology Initiative Sets Ambitious Goals for University of Arkansas

Information technology, or IT for short, is rapidly changing at the University of Arkansas. Under the direction of chief information officer Chris McCoy, a new initiative, Achieve IT: Excellence in Technology, is being launched.

The three-year Achieve IT initiative will address 26 campus IT improvement projects, including:

• Expanding wireless access across campus
• Providing a consistent teaching and learning experience in technology classrooms with hardware, software, and support
• Consolidating and improving IT help and support in central locations as well as in departments
• Implementing a new telephone system
• Streamlining and simplifying campuswide software licensing and distribution

One of two key components of the initiative is sharing how essential IT services — like computer labs, printing, and desktop support — are delivered. The CIO has charged workgroups made up of IT staff from across campus with forming recommendations on how the university can best share such services. Workgroups are focused on creating a unified and seamless IT experience for faculty, staff and students, whether they are on campus, in the classroom or at home. Final workgroup recommendations will be published for campuswide review and comment.

Improving other major technologies, such as expanding wireless network access campuswide, make up the second component of the Achieve IT initiative. Technology experts from departments across campus are working in teams to rebuild the server environment for high availability, improve and simplify login processes, implement better faculty/student collaboration tools, and plan for future growth in research, scientific, and high-performance computing. These and other projects will pave the way for modernizing campus technology and maturing IT processes.

Achieving a level of excellence in technology by committing to shared services, delivering quality enterprise technology, and focusing on standards and best practices will put an IT foundation in place to support the university in its goal to become a Top 50 public research university. The Achieve IT initiative will also result in efficiencies and savings in how IT is delivered, allowing for future improvements. As faculty, staff and students develop confidence and trust in a more consistent and transparent IT experience that delivers what they expect, productivity will also increase.

Working as one team on the Achieve IT initiative, IT professionals from across campus are dedicated to developing excellence in technology. For more on the Achieve IT initiative and a complete list of projects and priorities, visit campusit.uark.edu.