Focus on Hiring, Restructuring in Summer

By Richard Darsie

 
As part of ongoing efforts to improve faculty services and strengthen campuswide IT policy and planning, the Office of the Vice Provost-Information and Educational Technology enters the summer with a focus on two important initiatives: the UC Davis Technology Infrastructure Forum and the Instructional Technology and Digital Media Center.

The Division of Information Technology will also spend the next few months filling key leadership posts and realigning staff to better meet campus needs.

 
Technology Infrastructure Forum
As outlined in "Web Site Highlights Campuswide Role" (IT Times, April/May 2000), Vice Provost John Bruno has proposed the creation of a UC Davis Technology Infrastructure Forum. This group, which will include representatives from all campus schools, colleges, and administrative units, will provide ongoing discussion and coordination of information technology issues of major campuswide importance.

In April and May, deans, vice chancellors, and other campus leaders submitted nominees for Forum membership. By the deadline on May 5, a good number of nominations had been received. "I am very pleased with the quality of the nominees," says Bruno. "We're going to have a really good group to work with. The campus will benefit from the expertise of the members of this Forum."

Once all representatives are identified, Dr. Bruno will select a chair and co-chair for the group. The first meeting will take place before the end of the quarter.

 
Recruitment and Hiring
Current recruitment activity in the Vice Provost's Office falls into two major categories: positions in the faculty service-focused Instructional Technology and Digital Media Center and positions in the Vice Provost's Office itself.

Instructional Technology and Digital Media Center
In recruitment for the new Center are the Director and Associate Director positions, with the Management Services Officer (MSO) position already filled.

Interviews for the Director position are in progress. This is a 50 percent-time position to be filled by a UC Davis faculty member. A Director is expected to be hired in June.

Interviews for the Associate Director position (closed) are expected to take place as soon as the Director has been hired.

The MSO position has been filled by Penny Farnham, formerly an MSO with IT-Creative Communications Services. Starting in her new role on June 1, Farnham says she looks forward to focusing on faculty. "I am excited about the opportunity to assist the Center's Director and Associate Director facilitate collaboration with faculty members on digital media projects," says Farnham. "I know we will be able to successfully meld the different IT units that are coming together to form the Center into a new, unified single entity with a strong focus on providing services to faculty."

Vice Provost's Office
IT is currently recruiting for a Chief Operating Officer (COO), who will provide leadership, oversight, and day-to-day operational management of the IT Division, and a Security Coordinator, who will be responsible for the development and implementation of a campuswide computer, network, and data security program. Applications are no longer being accepted for either of these positions.

Three candidates for the critical COO position have visited campus for interviews and meetings with the IT Division's Management Council and various campus constituencies. Interviews for the Security Coordinator position are under way.

A new Policy Analyst position has been filled by Randy Moory, who was hired in early April. Formerly an IT manager for the State of California, Moory brings with him an enthusiasm for technology-related policy development. He is working on issues surrounding the campus implementation of the UC-wide Electronic Information Security policy (see UC Technology Policies at http://vpiet.ucdavis.edu/policy.html). Overall, Moory sees security as one of the more significant challenges facing the university in the immediate future.

For continuing information about the Office of the Vice Provost, visit the Web site at http://vpiet.ucdavis.edu/.