1. Happy Talk: Getting IT Staff and Faculty to Harmonize Anita Eikens, Director, ACLMR John Schmidt, Director of Information Technology Linda Ehley, Associate Professor, Computer Science 2005 Wisconsin Best Practices Conference May 23, 2005

2. The Challenge A disconnect between technology and curriculum/pedagogy Faculty don’t know what IT staff are planning IT staff don’t know what faculty are planning Lack of communication and coordination

3. The Solution? Happy talk, keep talking happy talk Talk about things you like to do You got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream How you gonna have a dream come true? Lyrics from “Happy Talk” (South Pacific)

4. Agenda Anita – How it works at Alverno John – Examples Linda – Benefits How does it work at your college?

5. Alverno’s Tech Committee History Early 1990’s – Info Tech Task Force – Mostly staff – Developed and implemented first campus-wide technology plan Mid 1990’s – Technology & Learning Committee – Mostly faculty – Similar in purpose to TLT Roundtables Other committees – Distance learning, computer literacy, department advisory committees, etc.

6. Too many committees!

7. Technology Steering Committee Started meeting during 1999-2000 school year Consolidated committees Improved communication

8. TSC Membership (2) VP for Academic Affairs & VP for Finance (3) Faculty – Associate Dean – Computer Science professor (also DDP Administrator) – Business & Management professor (5) Directors – Academic Computing, Library & Media Resources – Center for Instructional Communication – Information Management Systems & Reports (Datatel) – Information Technology and Infrastructure Services – Library

9. Purpose: review & set policy Establish the overall technology priorities, standards and direction of the College Review and approve new and additional technology services Develop three year plans, including capital and operating budget requirements, for all technology groups Educate and promote the technology tools, services and advances of the College Establish new committees when a specific need is determined

10. What works – Part 1 Representation from all the players VP’s co-chair the committee A meeting coordinator handles the details (when we meet, what we talk about, …)

11. What works – Part 2 Communication – Many ways, many times Credibility – Perceived expertise and perceived trustworthiness Influence (… or how to herd cats) – Common purpose, shared responsibility and mutual trust

12. Examples of Beneficial Content Our primary focus should be strategy. Sometimes get sidetracked into operating issues. Training

13. Examples Budgetary – Yearly Review of Capital – Grant 3 Year Planning – Hardware directions – Software directions – Timing issues Strategies – Distance Learning – Campus Communications – Efficient/Effective Use of Technology – Copyright / Intellectual Use Notes:Subcommittees are created as needed.

14. Benefits ONE place to go – questions, initiatives, grant applications Multiple perspectives – Faculty, IT, Academic Computing, Library, Finance, Student Information System, Academic Affairs Big Picture – assists in setting priorities Viewing technology as a “system” rather than competing territories

15. How does it work at your college?