Expanding and Strengthening Technology Services
Dear Colleagues,
Earlier today, I met with our IITS team to discuss an important operational change to expand and strengthen technology services for our students, faculty, and staff.
The University has partnered with Collegis Education to support our technology services through a managed services arrangement. Collegis is a higher education technology services organization that works with colleges and universities across the country to support their technology systems and services. We have worked with Collegis for several years, with their most recent support focused primarily on our Banner and learning management system environments. That partnership has served us well, and we are pleased to build upon that successful relationship.
This partnership will provide the University with access to technology resources, expertise, and support that go well beyond what an institution of our size, profile, and resources could reasonably provide on its own. Specifically, the University will benefit from:
- Access to a broader team of technology professionals with higher education expertise
- Enhanced protection for University systems, accounts, and data
- More consistent and responsive technology support
- Clearer planning and decision-making around technology needs
- Additional expertise to help advance future technology improvements
During the transition, Collegis team members will work closely with our IITS team to become familiar with our campus community while ensuring the seamless continuation of day-to-day operations. This collaborative onboarding process will ensure there are no disruptions to the services and support you rely on.
Changes to technology services and support processes will occur gradually over the course of the year, with few changes to your day-to-day experience in the immediate term. As the transition progresses, however, you can anticipate several enhancements in the coming weeks and months. For example, later this fall, we will launch a 24/7 help desk, providing our students, faculty, and staff with multiple convenient ways to connect with the support team and receive assistance when they need it.
This partnership is an investment in the technology services that support our campus community every day. It will expand our access to technology expertise and resources, strengthen our day-to-day operations, and provide the guidance and support we need as our technology needs continue to evolve and grow.
For now, please continue using the same technology support channels you use today. Any changes to support processes or services will be communicated in advance through our usual communication channels.
Members of the Collegis team who will be dedicated to supporting this partnership will be on campus this week to meet with and get to know members of our IITS team and other members of our campus community. If your schedule permits, I invite you to attend one of two open forums for faculty and staff this Thursday, September 3, at 10:30 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. in the DuRoss Dining Room.
During these sessions, Collegis representatives will share more about the organization, our partnership model, and their experience working with other colleges and universities. They will also be available to answer your questions.
We appreciate your support as this collaboration gets underway. Most importantly, we look forward to the stronger technology experience this partnership will provide for our students, faculty, and staff.
Sincerely,
Stephanie R. Nesbitt
President