Message from New Acting Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer

Recently I moved into the role of Acting Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. I am very appreciative of the confidence that Dr. Rawlins has entrusted to me. I also realize the importance of this position and of information technology at the University of North Texas (UNT) at this point in history.

As a 19 year veteran of the university and CITC, I have a broad understanding of the workings of both. There is still much for me to learn, however, about the nearly 70 information technology services provided by CITC to UNT and other components of the university system as well as the many IT services provided by organizations outside of CITC. Currently I am meeting with CITC staff to get a more detailed understanding of the services we provide. Further, I want to have similar discussions with the non-CITC IT organizations at UNT and other system components to learn how CITC can support their missions and collaborate on common challenges going forward.

This is a transformational time for information technology both at UNT and within universities nationwide. In the UNT System, and in many other systems and universities, a shared service initiative is under way to enhance collaboration and sharing of services across the system with an eye toward increasing efficiency and services across the system without increasing costs. Information technology and human resources are the early focus of this initiative. A system CIO is being recruited that will serve as the focal point of the information technology transformation. Beyond the UNT System, technology is continually becoming more critical to the mission and the transformation of universities. The expansion and evolution of alternative methods for delivering instruction through distance learning and other technologies such as lecture capture continue unabated. Services to students will be delivered anytime, anywhere and anyhow as more content is pushed to mobile devices. Analytical capabilities will be enhanced to improve measurement of effectiveness but just as important to support data mining to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. As UNT moves toward tier 1 research status, enhancement of research administrative functions as well as continued provision of computing resources will be critical.

These are exciting challenges. No one in information technology will be bored as the demands will continue to exceed the resources. Careful governance is required to be sure that information resources are concentrated on the projects that most closely align with the strategic plan of the university while never losing sight of the fact that a significant effort is required to "keep the lights on" -- i.e., supporting and enhancing existing services.

In closing, I want to express my appreciation to Maurice Leatherbury who had this role for the previous five years. Thanks to his stewardship and leadership of CITC through a dynamic period, I have inherited an outstanding organization composed of talented and committed folks who are dedicated to UNT and the other components of the UNT System. We welcome the challenges going forward.

John Hooper