University Information Technology Services is under new management this year to better meet the university’s technology needs, after an increase in the student body population.
The freshmen class size record was broken this fall, with over 7,800 students. The increased population has demanded more from the UITS, according to Rusty Martin, an IT support center specialist. Consisting of over 200 people, the UITS staff is committed to enhance the learning of technology.
“There has definitely been an increase in student traffic into our center,” Martin said. “[There] always is at the beginning of the school year, but the student’s demand of our customer service has increased 30 percent from last year.”
Another IT support center specialist, Kevin Garrigan, said there have been a lot more requests. The increase in requests began over the summer break.
Kelly South, UITS communications and marketing manager, said the staff has been focused on UAccess systems.
“We have been closely monitoring the UAccess systems to ensure everything is running smoothly as faculty and students return to campus,” South said.
According to South, Classroom Technology Services upgraded 46 classrooms with new technology equipment over the summer. South said there are now 127 upgraded classrooms.
“We have increased our outreach efforts to educate students via student orientations and our UITS social media accounts about the many IT services and tools available to new and returning students,” South said.
According to South, UITS offers several technology resources: Smart Planner, Degree Search, Arizona Mobile, 24/7 IT support, free software, computer labs, multimedia gear checkout, information security tips, and important services like NetID, UAWifi, Catmail, UAccess and D2L.
UITS also is under new management this year to better meet the university’s technological needs. According to South, Frank Feagans, who was previously the senior director in enterprise applications services, is now the executive director for central IT operations, as of May 2014. Feagans is now responsible for the daily management of the central IT organization, as well as the entire UITS organization, according to South.
“This strategic personnel change allows [chief information officer] Michele Norin more time to focus on strategic development and innovation,” South said. “UITS’ focus will remain on continually improving its services to meet the university’s technology needs even more efficiently and effectively.”
—Follow Courtney Rice @DailyWildcat