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February 2007 Update

In This Update


New UW Project to Offer Microsoft Collaborative Tools Centrally

To meet the needs of many at the UW for shared data, C&C with help from UW computing directors is planning to offer Outlook, Exchange, SharePoint, and other Microsoft collaboration tools to schools, colleges, and central administration.

UW schools and colleges are advising on the best way to meet their needs with these new offerings and are partnering with C&C to:

  • Pull together resources and staff necessary to move ahead quickly on the effort
  • Develop a "roadmap" to better plan, communicate, and allocate resources over the next 18-24 months to sequence the roll-out and address the many dependent activities
  • Bring C&C-hosted Outlook Exchange email service to schools and colleges that want it

C&C presented plans to the University Technology Advisory Committee (U-TAC) meeting January 9, and will be talking with other university committees in the months ahead.


New Office of Information Management Gathers Input From UW Community

The new UW Office of Information Management (OIM) has been focused on gathering input from the university community to identify challenges and opportunities regarding the UW's information systems and information management needs.

Sara Gomez, who heads the office as interim Vice Provost for Information Management and Chief Information Officer, has been meeting with deans, computing directors, and administrators to define the university's most critical needs in information systems and information management.

This discovery/assessment phase is the first in an initial three-phase work plan for the new office. Phase two, beginning spring 2007, will see the development of OIM's organizational structure. In phase three, a roadmap will be developed that outlines a strategic direction for the UW's information systems and information management, including short-term and long-term priorities.

The creation of OIM in November 2006 ushers in a new era in information management. This major university-wide effort is focused on establishing a strong information management approach that supports the UW's growing needs for information for strategic directions and daily operations.

Gomez reports to Provost Phyllis Wise, and also to Vice President for Computing and Communications Ron Johnson on technology issues. Gomez previously was C&C Executive Director of Administrative Information Services (AIS).

For more information, please visit the Office of Information Management Web site at http://www.washington.edu/provost/oim/ and see the OIM January 2007 Update at http://www.washington.edu/provost/oim/summary.pdf


Catalyst Units Align with C&C

Another step in the realignment of UW technology resources came at the end of December when Associate Vice President for Learning & Scholarly Technologies Louis Fox and his three technology units began reporting to Vice President for Computing and Communications Ron Johnson. This move brings Catalyst Research & Development, Catalyst Client Services, and Catalyst Administration & Technology Partnerships into closer association with C&C.

Although C&C and the Catalyst teams have collaborated for years, this change provides an opportunity to create even greater synergy and partnership not only between these units but with the larger university community.

The University-Community Partnerships Office, previously under Fox, moves to UW Educational Outreach under Vice Provost David Szatmary.


Governor Recommends Full Funding for UW Data Center

The Governor has recommended full funding of the UW-requested $25 million for a new data center in the 2007-09 state capital budget. Of that amount, $20 million is earmarked for construction of a new data center and the remaining $5 million is for connectivity upgrades.

If this state capital funding is allocated, the UW would need another $12 million to support the portion of the data center designed to meet the computing needs of self-sustaining units and research groups. The UW plans to raise the additional funding through general revenue bonds. Total project budget is $32.5 million, which also includes the $500,000 in central funds used for initial planning and pre-design phases.

The pre-design document was forwarded to Olympia at the end of January. The current schedule calls for the new data center to be operational by December 2009.


Global Support: Connecting to UW Services While Abroad

UW faculty, staff, and students living, working, and traveling abroad can consult a new UW Web site for information on how to stay connected to UW technology services while outside the U.S. The site answers questions about using cell phones, connecting and protecting laptops, and accessing email in over forty countries within Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific.

These travel pages will continue to grow and are a first step in a larger effort by C&C to better support UW colleagues who travel and work internationally.

The Web site is located at http://www.washington.edu/computing/travel/ Questions, comments, and suggestions may be directed to global-support@u.washington.edu


UW Receives Mellon Technology Award for Pine and IMAP

The UW is one of only three institutions receiving a $100,000 prize in the first annual Mellon Awards for Technology Collaboration, presented in December in Washington, D.C. The Mellon Awards honor non-profit organizations for leadership in collaborative development of open source software tools with particular application to higher education and not-for-profit activities. Seven other institutions received smaller amounts.

The award recognizes UW's decades-long contributions to email standards and software, specifically the Pine messaging system and IMAP, the Internet Message Access Protocol, both developed and supported by C&C staff. The Mellon funds must be used to continue the same work, and will enable C&C to implement a major user-interface redesign of WebPine, the Web-based version of Pine.

For more information, please read the article in UWeek at http://uwnews.org/uweek/uweekarticle.asp?articleID=29103


UW Seattle Wireless Initiative: Phase 2 Wrapping Up

The UW Seattle Wireless Initiative is about halfway through its three-year schedule. It has provided wireless coverage to some 40 percent of the assignable square footage at UW Seattle, over and above the approximately 14 percent that already had some level of centrally managed wireless coverage prior to the initiative. Many of the buildings in which wireless deployment has been completed are deemed "high-value" (in terms of instructional and student-centered spaces) and were given priority despite the challenges some of these older buildings presented.

As of the end of January 2007, the initiative has provided wireless access in the following UW Seattle locations:

  • More than 50 buildings (plus partial wireless in numerous other buildings)
  • 194 general assignment classrooms (8906 seats)
  • 193 department classrooms (approximately 6454 seats)
  • 11 departmental/branch libraries (including upgrade in Odegaard Undergraduate Library)
  • 2369 wireless access points
  • 2 major outdoor areas (HUB lawn & Quad)
  • 2 partial outdoor areas (Husky stadium and baseball/soccer stadium)

As the Phase 2 buildings near completion, the coming weeks and months will involve identifying and seeking approval for the Phase 3 building list (in the works now). Planning for a major wireless upgrade/expansion in the HUB, wireless coverage for Red Square, and, of course, continuing ongoing deployment efforts in UW Seattle buildings will occur as well.

To see a map showing how wireless is growing and where at UW Seattle, go to http://www.washington.edu/computing/wireless/wifi_map.html


C&C's Strategic Plan Focuses on Partnership and Collaboration

C&C's recently completed strategic plan reflects input from more than 160 people across the university. The plan will soon be widely distributed to deans, directors, chairs, and all who participated, and will be available on C&C's Web site. The plan articulates a new vision, mission, and values for C&C, focused on partnering and collaborating with the UW community to create technology solutions that advance the work of the university and further its mission.

This is an organizational development plan that primarily looks at the internal changes necessary for C&C to become more responsive, collaborative, and customer-driven. C&C leadership and staff are committed to making these changes.

C&C has already begun internal restructuring and other efforts to position the organization to move ahead on the key priority areas identified in the Strategic Plan. These areas include customer service, communications, reliable and responsive systems, and business management.

C&C thanks the many people who provided valuable input into its planning process. Their contributions have significantly shaped C&C's future directions.