Annual Report 2006-2007
Information Technology
Academic Computing
- Completed application and staff certifications to be an Apple Service
Center, providing better, less costly hardware support to Mac users
on campus.
- Completed the application and set the groundwork for iTunesU, providing
free network storage for campus podcasts.
- Planned and implemented Alumni e-mail service— installed server
and e-mail software; wrote custom code to automate sign-up for the
service and transfer of e-mail from UW Oshkosh mail system to the alumni
system; and provided user statistics to the Alumni Office.
- Assisted with implementing Image Now, document imaging system.
- Assisted with UW System negotiation for Xythos and began implementing
campuswide file collaboration system to be called TitanFiles
- Facilitated project to pilot Plone, content management system, to
rewrite the Academic Computing Web site.
- Distributed about 160 old PIII computers and 100 monitors to local
nonprofits creating goodwill for the University.
- Reallocated 166 computers, 61 monitors and 13 printers from surplus
to on-campus units.
- Hired new Help Desk Manager; reorganized unit assignments, moving
GCA Lab setup from Server Support to Desktop support.
Business Operations and Training
- Enhanced professional training for instructors so they now receive Microsoft
Office Master Certification as part of their professional development.
- Restructured classes to be shorter sessions that focus on specific tasks
rather than perceived skill levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced).
- Expanded the number of course offerings to meet the training needs of
the campus.
- Redesigned the training Web site and included online class registration
and evaluation forms; created How-To videos to guide users through specific
tasks in MS Word and Excel; and made all class manuals available online
as another self-learning tool.
- In collaboration with Human Resources, created Essential Skills Training
(EST) program and manual to provide communication tools (e-mail, electronic
calendar, computer security, etc.) to all new employees; and conducted
program pilot.
- Implemented a Skills Inventory (assessment) program used to determine
skill level for finalists (both current employees and all other applicants)
applying for vacant administrative support Classified Staff positions.
- Conducted introductory MS Word and MS Excel workshops for community participants
referred by Women’s Center and Workforce Development agency.
- Initiated customized one-to-one training sessions for staff based on
their specific needs and requests, using Microsoft Word, Excel and Access.
Media Services
- Installed two additional technology classrooms
- Increased delivery of mobile equipment to classrooms by 8.5 percent.
Computer deliveries increase by 12 percent.
- Halsey Instructional Technology Services was revitalized by upgrading
computers and weeding and reorganizing the reserve items circulated
in that center.
- Updated five lecture halls with “white board” monitors
and document cameras.
- Began replacing classroom computers with machines running dual
operating systems
- Upgraded both interactive video distance education classrooms with
50-inch flat panel monitors and added H.239 “People plus Content” capability.
- Established small group videoconferencing facility in Halsey Room
259.
- Completed pilot project to incorporate Plone Content Management
System to array of offerings for Web development
- Initiated live streaming video of commencement
- Initiated offering of iTunesU for storage and distribution of podcasts.
- Completed searches for Instructional Television Coordinator and
Clow Audiovisual Services Assistant
- Reported highest percentage of D2L utilization in UW System
- Produced self-study book and associated documents for Higher Learning
Commission Reaccreditation.
Telecommunications, Networking, Administrative Computing
- Implemented a new content management system (Plone) to improve
the University’s Web presence. The Web site for Academic
Computing was the pilot project.
- Developed a new Telephone Billing and Charge Back System
for the University.
- Developed a new automated system to manage the University’s
Faculty Development Program.
- Created the computing environment for offices and departments
to offer online surveys.
- Working with Gateway Enterprises Inc., upgraded the University’s
cashiering system to improve its security and reliability.
- Provided the analysis and programming to deliver an accurate
Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate for
the Financial Aid Office.
- Completed the telecommunications and computer infrastructure
to support the University Foundation’s new automated
call center.
- Working with the vendor, Nelnet Inc., integrated electronic
refunds with the University’s Student Financials System.
- Completed the analysis and programming for a project that
allows students to view their earning statements online using
the Student Administration System’s self-service feature.
- Provided a secure remote connection, Virtual Private Network
(VPN), between the University and the Living Healthy Community
Clinic.
- Completed a collaborative project with the Human Resources
Office and UW Madison’s Division of Information Technology
(DoIT) to convert the University’s legacy personnel database
to Madison’s Integrated Appointment Data System (IADS).