communications, assessment and delivery of services. Senior Sponsor. JOETTE EISENGART, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS. Initiativ
Student Affairs Strategic Plan Implementation 2014-‐‑15 Results & Recommendations
1.6 Collaborate with campus Information Technology Services (ITS) to design and execute technology solutions that address key business priorities for Student Affairs including information access/collection, events management, workplace support, communications, assessment and delivery of services.
Senior Sponsor JOETTE EISENGART, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Initiative Owner RICK SALOMON, IT CONSULTANT 7/27/2015
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF HOW YOU MOVED THIS INITIATIVE FORWARD IN 2014-‐‑15
At our core Student Affairs is committed to providing unlimited possibilities, creating a framework for students to embrace Learn by Doing in pursuit of success and empowerment of full potential. In October 2014 the Division of Student Affairs embarked on implementing high-priority initiatives in order to effectuate the vision, mission, and values articulated in a newly-formed strategic plan. Information technology (IT) was identified as a key component and initiative in aligning the Division with our Strategic Plan and the President’s Vision 2022. Division Leadership recognize the fundamental role technology plays in executing the goals of Units, Partners, the University, and our community. Technology is critical to the success of our organization and instrumental in creating a foundation for innovation, collaboration, and service delivery. Historically, Student Affairs’ IT has been driven in a mostly reactive manner: where a need arises, whether due to an organizational requirement or to provide new service, teams of technologists and systems are organized to deliver valuable solutions. Units successfully integrating technology and, with available resources, have established operating groups, systems, processes, and procedures in order to execute specific missions. Over time, this has evolved into an environment of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ within the Division whereby those Units that have not previously operationalized technology have been left at a standstill. To support our future as a comprehensive Student Affairs organization, this committee undertook substantial efforts in evaluating our resources to recommend an inclusive plan of action, creating unlimited opportunity and potential for Division technology. The committee began with a survey process in January 2015 which led to further exploration and information gathering sessions, meetings with internal and external partners, and identification and implementation of ‘quick-win’ initiatives. Assessments included the unique needs and expectations of 11 Student Affairs Units including: Associated Students, Inc.; Career Services; Dean of Students; Parent & Family Programs and Commencement; Disability Resource Center; Campus Health & Wellbeing; New Student & Transition Programs; Student Academic Services; Testing Services; University Housing; and, Office of the Vice President (VPSA). Upon completion of our assessment, the committee has made the recommendation for a phased approach to IT organizational transformation. Ultimately, positioning Student Affairs for continued success requires a unified approach to IT from the current ad-hoc organization of today. Division-wide support will be necessary in establishing the changes recommended by the committee and detailed in this report. By formalizing ties to a more comprehensive, central Student Affairs IT organization we will be adept to embrace unlimited possibilities for the future. Please see the full report, Student Affairs Information Technology Final Report.
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HOW THIS WORK SUPPORTS UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES FOR STUDENTS
Optimizing Student Affairs technology will provide the necessary foundation to produce substantial and meaningful possibilities for students. By enhancing our approach to technology, Student Affairs will be positioned to enrich student support and execute successful delivery of services and systems for the entire campus community. The framework for success, supported by University objectives, creates a holistic approach to align Division information technology with the vision, mission, and values of Student Affairs and Cal Poly.
Empowered by the Student Affairs Strategic Plan 2014-2017, this committee has worked diligently to outline and express the current environment of Division information technology and completed a comprehensive report endorsing outcomes to move technology forward, becoming better together. Through detailed assessment, analysis and review, the committee believes our report and recommendations reflect valuable actions that must be taken to position Student Affairs for future success. By implementing the recommendations, Student Affairs will be positioned to effectuate meaningful outcomes for all students and our campus community.
YEAR-‐‑END RECOMMENDATIONS & NEXT STEPS
Resolving the current ad-hoc technology organization of today will require substantial support from Student Affairs Leadership, staff, and students as well as all University constituents. Additionally, instilling the value of a Divisionwide approach to IT will be core in unifying current IT staff. The committee urges Division leadership to evaluate and enact the recommendations outlined in the full report to ensure our on-going and future success as we begin the next chapter as a leading Student Affairs organization. These recommendations are framed in terms of a phased-in approach, moving from quick-win opportunities to the ideal framework for organizational success. Incrementally endorsing each finding will move our information technology organization to further enhancement and a higher level of optimization.
While the committee has framed our recommendations with a phased-in approach, we encourage an honest assessment from the entire campus leadership to effectuate these needs swiftly in order to move us forward. Student Affairs must work in partnership with ITS and all University constituents to create a more optimized IT environment serving the campus community. Without strong partnerships and support, this initiative will not be successful. At the same time, we urge the Vice President for Student Affairs and Division Leadership to give full consideration and high priority in executing the recommendations. This endorsement will allow Student Affairs technology teams to grow our institutional influence, instilling the value of a comprehensive partnership with our organization. Central to our focus, we must always strive to ensure students are fundamental in all that we do, with the overall goal of embracing unlimited possibilities.
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