Web Accessibility at the University of California
Information Resources and Communications (IR&C) at the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) is the universitywide information technology (IT) department, offering services for both the UC campuses and UCOP. IR&C responsibilities cover such broad areas as computer systems operation and development, telecommunications, networking, and IT policy analysis. Quarterly updates on IR&C projects and initiatives are presented at the systemwide Information Technology Leadership Council meetings. The UCOP IT Advisory Group provides feedback to IR&C about the IT needs of the Office of the President.
Application-System and Web-Site Development
and Support
IR&C conducts the technical planning, development, implementation, maintenance,
and upgrading of computer application systems that serve enterprise needs.
Currently, IR&C operates and maintains approximately fifty
systems. These may be loosely categorized into three groups: "Corporate
data systems" are used to collect corporate data from or to submit
data to UC sites and to produce routine and ad hoc reports. "Operational
systems" are used to conduct specific university business functions.
"Web-based self-service systems" are intended for use by a general,
nontechnical audience. IR&C also provides development services and ongoing
technical support for Web sites at UCOP and the campuses.
Information Management
IR&C is responsible for identifying and supporting UCOP information needs
as required for decision support, policy implementation, and external
reporting. IR&C works with campus and UCOP staffs to define information
needs and to develop appropriate IT solutions. The department collects
and maintains large repositories of UC corporate data (e.g., campus financial
data and student data), as well as other types of data, including the
UCOP Records Collection. IR&C ensures compliance with policies related
to records retention, access, and privacy. IR&C produces an online UCOP
directory and the Annual Statistical Summary of Students and Staff.
IR&C provides assistance to UCOP departments in the development of
requirements documents for new applications (to be used at UCOP only or
systemwide). The department supports mandated reporting to government
agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department
of Education.
Policy and Legislative Analysis
IR&C has primary responsibility for coordinating the development of policies
at UC, such as the Electronic Communications Policy, that address use
of and access to information technology. The department also reviews and
suggests the universitywide response to proposed state and federal legislation
on information technology, privacy, and cybersecurity.
Telecommunications Services,
Wide Area Networking, and FCC Licensing
IR&C provides telecommunications services for the Office of the President,
including its offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and the California
Central Valley. The department operates the UC videoconference network
and provides consultation to the campuses for the negotiation of long-distance
contracts, among other services. IR&C works with the UC campuses and other
institutions of higher education to develop the strategy and funding to
provide access to a high-speed Internet for research, educational, and
administrative purposes. IR&C also coordinates campus applications for
frequency licenses to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
UCOP Workstation and Local
Area Network Support
IR&C provides workstation and local area network (LAN) support services
to UCOP. Its responsibilities include developing and communicating PC
configuration, upgrade, and maintenance standards. It also provides PC
and server data backup and centralized LAN server hosting, as well as
consultation for PC and LAN hardware and software purchases.
Corporate Data Warehouse
IR&C maintains the UC Corporate Data Warehouse, a repository of corporate
data that is used for such purposes as planning, financial reporting and
analysis, and reporting to governmental and nongovernmental agencies.
UCOP Data Center
IR&C maintains the UCOP Data Center, which provides the technical infrastructure
to support applications and services for UCOP and the campuses. The Data
Center provides server support for the California
Digital Library, and houses servers for the UC
College Prep Initiative and UCSC. It also provides mainframe services
for UCSF, runs payroll for six UC campuses and two UC affiliates, and
has disaster recovery relationships with UCSD & UCI. The Data Center operates
and maintains Unix, Linux, Windows, and z/OS mainframe systems and hosts
over 500 devices.
