Information Technology Services Annual Report 2012-2013
Information Technology in many higher education institutions is so seamlessly embedded
in all aspects of campus life that IT is often viewed as a basic utility or commodity.
Through this point of view, the transformative potential of IT for the institution may not
be fully realized. At many innovative institutions, IT is considered a thought leader for
transformation and innovation. As most of us have come to realize, technology impacts
almost everything we do. In these times of significant change, it is more important than
ever that we engage IT in our planning and continue to align and prioritize our resources
to accomplish the goals that we have set out in our Institutional Strategic Plan,
Information Technology Plan and Master Plan.
In the body of the report, we will share our progress towards our key initiatives; review
some of the new services we are now providing; and share how we have realigned our
organization to support our goals. Additionally, we will outline some of our future
initiatives and discuss how we can continue to maximize the value of IT at Doane.
Project Highlights
Athletics
Fans arriving for the first home football game and Al Papik Field Rededication on
Saturday, September 14th, were treated to an enhanced experience from our new
scoreboard with a built-in audio system and video display on the north side of the field.
The event was broadcast via the Tiger Sports Network with our new cameras and video
equipment and the stream was accessed 738 times. Doane sporting events can be viewed
live or on demand by visiting http://www.doanetigers.com
As part of the Fuhrer renovations, a large 234" diagonal LED video display, several event
boards and a state-of-the-art sound system will be installed. Digital signage and
interactive displays will honor past athletes, much like in the George and Sally Haddix
Athletic & Recreation Center.
School of Graduate and Professional Studies - Omaha Campus
Equipment is arriving to bring the new Omaha campus on line with a technology lab
equipped with 20 computers, three additional classrooms, four offices and a reception
area. The facility will be equipped with standard network and computing gear,
educational and administrative software, telecommunications and security equipment.
School of Arts and Sciences Labs
At the School of Arts and Sciences, 15 new iMac Workstations, a new high-resolution
LCD Projector and high-gain screen in the Graphic Arts Lab have been installed as well
as new computing equipment in the Chemistry Lab.
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Learning Commons and Instructional Design Lab
We continue work to finalize the design for the new Learning Commons. Preparations
will begin in the communications building this winter and construction will start next
spring. This new learning center for students will become the location of choice for group
study, scholarly discussion, collaboration and academic coaching at Doane College.
In a related effort, we continue our preparations for the transformation of CM 20 into an
Instructional Design Lab. The renovated space will become and sandbox for faculty and
students to experiment with new and emerging technology. Feedback will be captured to
develop requirements for future improvements to our learning environments across the
college. The overarching goal is to provide a student-centered environment that is
flexible and supports collaborative work. The space will incorporate video conferencing
and lecture capture capabilities.
Perkins Auditorium
A new sound system is being installed in Heckman Auditorium. The system will support
a variety of events and activities and basic audio services will be accessible and can be
operated by non-technical staff.
College Website
Information Technology Services is in the process of the first phase of a new collegewide Intranet website for students, faculty and staff. The site will provide links to key
information and services as well as news and events about campus activities. The updated
site will go live at the end of September.
In October, the web team will begin to collaborate with the Office of Strategic
Communications to create a sub-site for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
This site will provide information personalized for prospects and students in these
programs. The site will also include campus specific information for the Grand Island,
Lincoln and new Omaha campus.
Administrative Computing
From an Administrative computing perspective we are in the process of implementing
our new web-based Self-Service and Student planning modules to improve the
onboarding process and course registration and planning for students and faculty. We are
on track to train the pilot group the week of October 7th and go live the following week.
Infrastructure
As usual we continued on our infrastructure over the summer. The signature project was
the installation of a new core switch with 128 Gigabit backplane to support the increased
traffic load and to prepare for the future installation of virtual desktop infrastructure.
In support of the College’s vision to provide a transformational learning experience for
students, and an efficient and accessible administrative environment, Doane College
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Information Technology Services (ITS) strives to continuously improve the technology
environment and services for our students, faculty and staff.
Below is a selection of key initiatives and outcomes from the Doane College Strategic
Plan and the Information Technology Plan that have either been completed since our last
report, are planned to be completed, or initiated prior to the Board’s next meeting in
October of 2013.
Goal 1. Learning through Engagement
Objective
Strategy
Status
Objective E:
Prepare students
to use technology
effectively for
communication
and for research in
preparation for
their future
careers.
Strategy 2: Evaluate the
potential educational impact as
well as costs of the support,
infrastructure, and training
requirements for a ubiquitous
computing program (providing
all students and faculty with a
common device – laptop or
tablet) as one option to
facilitate the effective use of
technology in academic
programs and to enhance
student learning on the
effective uses of technology.
Objective H:
Expand resources
(human and
financial) to
support research,
innovative
teaching, and
travel abroad and
to conferences by
students and
faculty.
Strategy 1: Establish a
standing working group to
support research efforts by
addressing infrastructure
needs, facilitating
collaborations on and off
campus, and coordinating
events to share research
outcomes.
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This initiative is a multi-year
project and the first phase of
this project was to install a
new core switch with 128
Gigabit backplane to support
the increased traffic load of a
virtual desktop environment.
The purchase of the virtual
desktop infrastructure has
been deferred for reevaluation next year. The
projected cost of $175K for
the second phase;
Establishing a Virtual
Applications Environment,
was moved to a 2015 start.
Costs for Faculty
implementation range from
$100-$175k depending on
platform. Cost for students
may be all or partially fee
based.
An undergraduate research
computing support plan has
been drafted and currently is
under review. IT is currently
working with faculty and
students to expand the
capacity of the Condor
cluster and provide
additional learning
opportunities for students.
Goal 2: Expanding Resources through Enrollment Growth.
Objective
Strategy
Status
Objective B: Grow
enrollment for
non-traditional
and graduate
students.
Strategy 2: Establish a blended
or on-line program on the
undergraduate level and
identify a niche area for a new
on-line graduate program.
.
There were a total of 59
courses delivered online this
summer across the college.
Six of these courses were
delivered as part of our
School of Arts and Sciences
pilot. 115 students enrolled
and 90% successfully
completed the courses. Dr.
King and his pilot team are in
the process of assessing
outcomes in late September.
We will be meeting in a few
weeks to plan courses for
next summer.
In collaboration with the
Vice President for Academic
Affairs, we are currently in
the process of evaluating the
ability of two vendors, The
Learning House and
Colloquy to assist us with the
selection, course
development and delivery of
a fully online program for
Doane College. Our goal is to
develop a business plan and
present our options to the
board early next calendar
year.
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Goal 4: Exceptional Educational Environment.
Objective
Strategy
Objective A:
Provide an
enriched
technological
environment that
facilitates
communication,
research, and
effective service
across all
campuses.
Strategy 1: Create a new
Information Technology
Strategic Plan to support the
institution’s strategic
initiatives and plans for future
growth.
Objective C:
Develop a campus
master plan to
improve academic
facilities and plan
for future growth.
ITS Strategic Plan: Learning
and Teaching Spaces
Strategy 1: Improve the
experience of student
learning at Doane by
developing more flexible
classroom designs that
accommodate a variety of
teaching and learning styles.
Objective D:
Transform the
library into an
advanced learning
commons.
Strategy 1: While awaiting
realization of the full master
plan, develop a plan to
renovate the existing space of
the Library into an enhanced
learning commons...
Status
The plan has been developed
and shared in the October
2012 report. Additional
resource requirements have
since been identified. A
summary of the additional
funding requirements has
been provided and is part of
the Institutional Strategic
Plan Summary.
Specific strategies were
developed to support the
2012-2017 Doane College
Strategic plan.
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A plan has been developed to
transform CM20 into a
modern teaching and
learning laboratory. This will
be a flexible learning
environment that support’s
collaborative work and
incorporates conferencing
and lecture capture. Dr. King
will provide workshops for
faculty on the use of the
space. Once trained faculty
will have access to the space
and we will obtain their input
so we can begin to design and
implement active learning
spaces across the entire
college.
We are in the process of
finalizing the design and cost
estimates. The design will be
reviewed in committee
meetings.
Goal 5: Supportive and Inclusive Community.
Objective
Strategy
Objective C:
Restructure the
College to
promote
growth,
effective
planning and
enhanced
communication
across all
campuses in the
college system,
expanding
awareness of
the college’s
common
mission.
Strategy 5: Improve the
College web-site for marketing
and Enrollment Services and
move to develop a College-wide
portal that delivers userspecific information to increase
communication of timely
information and to provide
easier access to College-related
announcements, news,
documents, policies, pertinent
websites, events, etc.
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Status
Information Technology Services
is in the process of the first phase
of a new college-wide Intranet
website for students, faculty and
staff. The site will provide links
to key services as well as news
and events about campus
activities. The updated site will
go live at the end of September.
In October, the web team will
shift its focus to create a sub-site
for the School of Graduate and
Professional Studies. This site
will provide information
personalized for prospects and
students in these programs. The
site will also include campus
specific information for the
Grand Island, Lincoln and new
Omaha campus.
IT Plan: Teaching and Learning
Initiative
Target
Lecture and
Seminar Media
Services
Living and
Performance
Spaces
Outcomes
Create a multi-year
development plan for
implementing lecture capture
services in designated Smart
classrooms on all three
campuses to enhance the
learning experience.
We have purchased and are
in the process of
implementing lecture
capture equipment and
software for MAC and MED.
Faculty Training will take
place in late October.
Additionally, as part of the
renovation of our
Instructional Design Lab we
will incorporate our first
video capture system.
Faculty will be trained on its
use and provided the
opportunity to experiment
with the system in a lab
environment.
Continue to improve students
living experience through
technology
We have received funding to
mount speakers and install
audio/video equipment in
the Heckman Auditorium to
provide an improved
listening experience and
ease of use. Orders have
been placed for the
equipment and we expect to
install by mid-September.
We have installed a new
video scoreboard at Al Papik
Field. The scoreboard
incorporates a state of the
art directional sound system
and 20mm video display.
We will also be installing a
10mm video display and 10
event boards in the Fuhrer
Field house.
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IT Plan: Administrative Computing
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Student
Self-Service
Implement the
Student SelfService Module by
Aug 1, 2013.
We have implemented the first module for
Student Self-Service. This module will
eventually replace Web Advisor. Initially this
module will provide students with a more
intuitive interface to view statements and
financial data for past, current and future terms.
Student
Planning
Implement the
Student Planning
Module by Oct 14,
2013.
We are on track to implement our pilot for
Student Planning with a select group of
Advisors and Students by Oct 14th. Eventually
this tool will provide a simplified and familiar
interface for students to plan their courses and
programs. Additionally, our goal is to reduce the
administrative burden on faculty during
registration and planning periods.
Recruiter
Retention
Alert
Graduation
Application
Front Rush
Blackboard
Upgrade
Implement
Recruiter
Application for
GPS and
Education.
Complete
modifications to
case types and
reports.
Implement online
Graduation
Application
Implement
athletic recruiting
software
Upgrade
Blackboard to
version 9.1
Service Pack 12
by January 2014.
Applications for the Omaha campus through
Recruiter will be available November 1st. The
remaining applications for GPS and Education
will be implemented by Spring 2014.
Modifications to case types and creation of new
reports outlined during the retention audit have
been completed.
A new online graduation application was
implemented for GPS and will be used for the
School of Arts and Sciences in the spring.
We are in the process of implementing Front
Rush recruiting software for all sports. The
software will replace the existing sports
interest form and provide coaches a means of
tracking prospective athletes through the
recruitment process.
We are currently testing the new version of
Blackboard and plan to implement in early
January 2014. The new upgrade will provide a
global view for students of all course activity
including assignments due, discussion board
posts and announcements from the instructor
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IT Plan: Technology Infrastructure and Support
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Upgrade Core
Switches
Campus
Managed
Wireless
Over the summer we will
upgrade our core switches in
our data center.
Refresh and Upgrade Managed
Wireless System for Crete
Campus
Add Wireless infrastructure for
Omaha Campus.
Server,
Classroom,
Faculty and
Staff Refresh
Security
Appliance
Upgrade
Internet
Services
Complete scheduled server,
classroom, lab, faculty, and staff
refresh programs.
Upgrade our security
appliances this summer to stay
current with the growing
number of threats
Upgrade Bandwidth on Crete
Campus from 200 Mbs to 500
Mbs to meet forecasted demand
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A new set of core switches has
installed in our primary data
center this summer providing
us a 128 Gigabit backbone and
10 Gigabit port speeds for
campus to support growing
demand. Current switches are 5
years old and reaching peak
CPU utilization.
We are in the process of
upgrading the Managed
Wireless Controllers for the
Crete campus. This will allow
us to increase density of access
points across campus over time
and implement new services to
reduce the possibility of
interference from outside
sources.
We have ordered equipment for
the Omaha campus and will be
installing the equipment in late
October.
This summer we upgraded the
computers in both the
Chemistry lab and Graphic Arts
labs. Additionally we added
additional capacity for graphic
arts, installed a new highresolution projector and highgain screen.
Security appliances have been
upgraded on all existing
campuses. We will install a new
appliance in Omaha.
Upgrade completed on August
1st.
IT Plan: Bookstore and Service Bureau
Initiative
Target
Bookstore
Sales
Service
Bureau Quick
Print Services
Increase College-wide Year end
Sales of Books and Soft Goods
by 5%.
Establish Quick Print services
no later than July 1st to
support faculty and staff
internal print projects.
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Outcomes
This will be accomplished
through expansion of our rental
offerings from Nebraska Book
and Missouri Book, and
additional store sales during
games and events. First
semester book sales to date are
currently even with last years
sales and soft good sales are
currently on track to meet the
goal.
Over the summer we worked
with the Office of Strategic
Communications to realign
some of our services to better
support the strategic initiatives
of the college. The Service
Bureau now serves as the onestop shop for in-house printing
needs at Doane. Project requests
for can be submitted online or in
person. Branded templates have
been created for brochures,
flyers, postcards, posters,
programs, and presentations.