Faculty Senate
Academic and Information Technology Council
This page contains the role statement and council charges.
Role statement
The role of the Academic and Information Technology Council is to:
- Assist in the development and continuous revision, as appropriate to changing needs, of the University’s strategic plans for information technology (IT), including computing, telecommunications and multi-media;
- Facilitate the location and implementation of the technology faculty use to solve problems (current or future) in the areas of teaching, research and service;
- Assist in the identification of technology needs of faculty;
- Develop and recommend needed policy revisions and new policy proposals relative to academic IT;
- Coordinate the application and review process for distribution of funds earmarked for academic and administrative IT;
- Ensure appropriate coordination and participation by working closely with ad hoc and standing committees in colleges, departments and other university units dealing with campus IT.
The work of the council is accomplished through its standing and ad hoc committees, which act on behalf of the council, subject to review by the council.
It is suggested the following matrix be used to guide the activities of the council:
| Teaching | Research | Service | |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Infrastructure includes such things as e-mail; phones; accounting (e.g. project support); data storage; security; scheduling (class offerings / times provided in advance). | |||
| Communicate and coordinate faculty technology needs | |||
| Provide education for the use of technology | |||
| Review technology opportunities | |||
| Finance technology (to include costs for maintenance and security) | |||
| Support infrastructure* development and application | |||
Charge
2007-08
A) Review proposals pertaining to safety issues involving the use of technology (e.g. security alerts via cell phone or e-mail).
B) Assess the technology needs of Western Michigan University, including
- Understanding the current structure for assessing and financing technology needs;
- Assess future needs and trends in academic technology
- Recommend a plan to ensure current and future needs are met
C) Review how much professional development is available to improve and assist in the use of technology on campus.
D) Review OIT policies relevant to academic computing
Note
- The Academic and Information Technology Council is free to determine the specifics of how to address these charges and other tasks it wishes to engage in during 2007-08. The AITC is requested to keep the Executive Board apprised of progress, especially in connection with any memorandum of action (MOA) which it may develop, and to give ample notice of intent to bring action or reports to the full Faculty Senate. Also, at the end of 2007-08, the AITC is asked to provide a summary of its progress on the above charges to the Executive Board and suggest charges for the following year.