UW News

March 9, 2006

Future of Information Systems Task Force appointed

Provost Phyllis Wise has appointed the Future of Information Systems Task Force to take a comprehensive, 5-10 year view of information technology needs and alternative approaches to meeting those needs.


Chaired by Professor Michael Eisenberg of the Information School, the task force has four specific goals:


  • To determine the current status of information services and systems across the UW
  • To determine, from a wide range of stakeholders, their major issues, concerns and areas of need
  • To propose a long term vision of information technology goals for the university
  • To propose a strategy for achieving that vision


The report is due by the end of April.


“I am grateful to Mike Eisenberg and members of the task force for undertaking this large-scale assessment of our IT needs on a short timeline,” said Provost Wise. “It is a big job, much needed, and I hope the UW community will become fully involved in the process.”


In the next few weeks, Task Force members will be seeking input from across the UW community. Eisenberg urges staff, faculty, and students to actively participate in scheduled sessions, the online survey (soon-to-be posted), or to email to him directly with ideas, concerns and issues, or other input — mbe@u.washington.edu  


Members of the task force include:

Ann Anderson, assistant vice president and controller;

Shawn Brixey, associate professor and director of the Center for Digital Art and Experimental Media;

Kelly Campbell, director of finance and administration for the School of Social Work;

Ana Mari Cauce, executive vice provost;

Walt Dryfoos, associate vice president for advancement services;

Michael Eisenberg, dean emeritus of the Information School;

Gary Farris, director of finance and administration for the Graduate School;

Eric Godfrey (co-chair), acting vice president for student affairs;

Sara Gomez, director of administrative information services;

Jeanne Marie Isola (co-chair), director of the Strategic Initiatives Office;

Mary-Frances Joseph, executive director of finance and systems in the UW School of Medicine;

Mary Lidstrom, vice provost for research;

Jim Loter, director of computing services for the College of Engineering;

Mary Melanson, director of finance and administration for the College of Arts and Sciences;

Todd Mildon, university registrar;

Brent Stewart, Faculty Senate representative;

Joanne Suffis, interim vice president for human resources;

David Szatmary, vice provost for UW Educational Outreach;

Betsy Wilson, dean of University Libraries;

Alan Wood, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs, UW Tacoma.