Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment of a series on information technology that highlights services, projects and ideas playing a role in the delivery of world-class computing and digital resources to all U-M campuses.
IT policies
The U-M IT Strategic Plan notes the importance of effective IT policy to support the core missions of U-M. The institution is proposing revisions to the IT policy with this principle at the forefront.
The chief information officer assigned responsibility for the IT policy to Information and Infrastructure Assurance (IIA), which is in the process of reviewing existing IT-related policies for continued applicability and effectiveness.
IIA has undertaken the multiyear process to systematically update all IT-related standard practice guides, following the process identified in the framework. Six IT-related SPGs are in the active review stage with draft revisions available for feedback on the CIO website. For each policy, there is a link to the current policy and to the proposed policy.
The campus community can submit comments for consideration in upcoming revisions of the draft. In addition, IIA solicits specific input from broad-based stakeholders across campus. The stakeholders consulted vary based on the specific content and focus of a policy.
IIA also receives feedback from the IIA Council, a governance body with universitywide representation from units, faculty, data stewards and other key decision makers. The IIA Council serves as one of the important review and approval bodies for IT policy-related SPGs.
Once feedback is received from the stakeholders and the general campus community, IIA prepares final drafts for review by IT governance committees. The CIO and/or the executive officers approve the final versions before official publication.
Mobile Apps Center
Let your fingers do the walking.
In 1964, an advertising agency developed this slogan to highlight the benefits of using the Yellow Pages. People today are still walking with their fingers, but to access digital content using smartphones and tablets.
Mobile devices are used on campus to participate in teaching and learning exercises, search for information and check email and schedules.
The university remains on top of this trend by helping organize a community of faculty, staff and student mobile developers who meet regularly to exchange ideas and discuss projects.
The newly redesigned Mobile Apps Center website is a tangible way the university community obtains news and information, and learns more about apps created by members of the U-M community.
Application development for the campus environment is an exceptional opportunity, but can present unique challenges associated with data access, software solutions, system specifications or branding requirements.
The Mobile Apps Center provides a simple roadmap and development lifecycle for those wishing to create an app. The site offers information for using data and resources specific to U-M in application development, including data from MCommunity, class schedules and building locations.
Hangouts On Air
Last year, Lisa Rudgers, vice president for global communications and strategic initiatives, was a panelist in a two-part Google Hangout On Air series that included vice presidents from Duke University, Georgia Tech, Stanford University and The University of Iowa.
The Office of the CIO and the Public Relations Society of America hosted the event. More than 550 members of the Counselors to Higher Education Section — the premiere networking and development association for executive and senior communicators at universities and colleges across the nation — had access to the live event and later the recordings on YouTube.
Hangout attendees observed, posed questions in real time and acquired insights into cutting-edge strategies being used at Michigan and elsewhere.
The cost for the event: Free. The impact: Priceless.
Unlike typical webinars, Hangouts On Air come with no special conference numbers. Attendee space is limitless.
Participants can interact with thought leaders while virtually eliminating the costs associated with conference travel. Panelists are able to influence a national audience from the comfort of their offices.
The Hangout On Air is one of several videoconferencing services, such as the recently launched Blue Jeans, that academic and administrative units are becoming increasingly comfortable using — allowing the university to broaden its reach and further our missions related to teaching and learning, knowledge, research and patient care.
What’s on your mind? Share your thoughts at cio.umich.edu/contact.
