IT services review set to begin in May
McMaster IT Services Review: Have your say
In order to inform a review of IT services, all McMaster employees are invited to share their insights by taking a brief survey. This feedback is crucial in understanding our current IT state and advancing our practices.
McMaster IT includes technical support, infrastructure, software, applications, and digital solutions that support our community’s activities. The findings from this review are expected to continue to advance IT practices at McMaster.
Survey Guidelines:
- 10-minute survey is voluntary and anonymous.
- Not required to answer all questions.
- All information will be kept confidential in line with the university’s privacy policy.
- The survey is open until May 29th, 2024.
- For queries, email vpofcomm@mcmaster.ca
Thank you for taking the time to strengthen our IT environment and improve our services.
A comprehensive review of IT services at McMaster will begin this May to evaluate and advise on the strengths and opportunities for IT-related services and support offered to faculty, researchers, students and administrative staff. This review follows the 2016 IT services review completed and the McMaster IT Strategic Plan, from 2019 to 2023, which delivered multiple IT projects and initiatives.
An IT service includes any technical support, infrastructure, software, application, or digital solution that facilitates teaching, learning, research, and administrative activities at McMaster University. Examples include email and collaboration tools, network connectivity, IT security, and student information systems.
As a leading university, McMaster requires robust IT practices that can adapt to a rapidly evolving technological landscape, meet increasing demands for technology and support our community’s ambitious goals. The findings from this review are expected to continue to advance IT practices at McMaster.
“The IT Services review is crucial for us to evaluate how we support our community’s vast technological needs,” says Susan Tighe, provost and vice president (academic). “This review will guide our continuous improvement efforts and ensure we are well-positioned to meet the future IT demands of our university.”
Your Participation Matters
Members of the McMaster community are encouraged to take a few moments to complete this survey. Your insights will play a crucial role in understanding the current state of IT services across the entire institution and shaping future improvements.
Review Process
The review will be conducted by a team of external experts and an internal stakeholder (their bios are below), including:
- Arlene Fajutrao Dosen, Executive Director and Assistant Dean, Student Success | Student Affairs | McMaster University
- Jennifer Burns, Associate Vice-President, Information Technology, Chief Information Officer, University of British Columbia
- Sean Reynolds, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, Northwestern University
- Bo Wandschneider, Chief Information Officer, University of Toronto
Their diverse experience and perspective will ensure a thorough, objective analysis of our IT environment. They will engage with various stakeholders on campus to conduct their review.
For additional information on the IT Services review, contact the project manager, Amanda Baldwin at baldwia@mcmaster.ca.
Thank you for your participation,
Susan Tighe, Provost & Vice-President (Academic)
Saher Fazilat, Vice-President (Operations and Finance)
Gayleen Gray, Associate Vice President & Chief Technology Officer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the scope of the IT Services review??
This is a follow-up to the IT Services Review conducted in 2016. The intention is to evaluate and advise on the strengths and opportunities for IT-related services and supports offered to faculty, researchers, students and administrative staff. This review will focus on the broader campus environment and on the community’s impressions and perspectives.
2. Will the IT Services review look at any particular IT units (UTS, CSU, Faculty IT)?
The review will look at how IT is delivered as a whole, including multiple departments and units that provide IT services.
3. What is the review focusing on?
The review will consider key questions, including:
- How well does the McMaster IT model represent the McMaster Institutional Priorities and Strategic Framework (2021 – 2024)?
- How is McMaster IT delivering on the ‘Connected Campus’ approach outlined in the IT Strategic Plan?
- Are the current structures effectively addressing strategic academic, research and administrative priorities?
- Does McMaster’s IT model meet the needs and expectations of all stakeholders, students, instructors and researchers?
- Does McMaster IT have the right balance between operations (run), projects (grow) and innovation (transform)?
- How effective are the lines of communication between IT staff?
4. How will IT professionals be engaged in the review process?
Meetings are in the process of being organized and will include stakeholders from research, teaching and learning, administration and IT. They will be scheduled for May 29 and 30.
IT leaders from across campus will be invited to participate in discussions with the review panel. In addition, there will be a survey open to all members of the community, including IT professionals.
5. What are the expected outcomes?
The finalized report, expected in late 2024, will include suggested opportunities to develop and enhance McMaster’s IT practices in the future. The campus community will receive a high-level summary of the report.
Reviewer Bios:
Arlene Fajutrao Dosen began her career in higher education at McMaster University in 1995. She has served in numerous roles at the University in career services, university advancement, recruitment and admissions, academic advising, student engagement and success. She has served in the Faculties of Business, Science, and, most recently, Engineering, where she undertook a series of student-centred roles over eleven years, including the role of Director, Outreach and Student Engagement. Centrally, Arlene has served in University Advancement, the School of Graduate Studies, and Student Affairs.
Arlene is the Executive Director and Assistant Dean of Student Success within Student Affairs and oversees the strategic operations of the Student Success Centre (SSC) and Student Accessibility Services (SAS). She leads collaborations with student support units, Faculties and programs, community partners and student groups to develop and support accessible learning opportunities that strategically support McMaster students’ personal, academic, and professional aspirations.
Jennifer Burns is the Associate Vice President Information Technology and CIO at UBC. In her role, Jennifer provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure UBC’s digital capabilities meet the needs of UBC’s teaching and research community, as well as identifying opportunities to deliver efficient and effective administrative solutions. In our changing landscape, this means both optimizing existing technology and to engage the UBC community to explore and leverage emerging new technologies while ensuring a robust and secure foundation. Jennifer serves as a Board member of the Canadian University Council of Chief Information Officers and is the current Board Chair of BCNET.
Sean Reynolds is the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Northwestern University. Reynolds provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment throughout the University.
Reynolds is the past Chair of the BTAA Chief Information Officers and a past member and Chair of InCommon Steering Committee, the Canadian University Council of Chief Information Officers, Cisco Higher Education Advisory Group, Microsoft Advisory Group, and other organizations.
Before joining Northwestern, Reynolds spent 25 years in information technology roles in higher education. Most recently, he served as the Chief Information Officer for Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Reynolds holds a BA and MA in Economics from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Bo Wandschneider is a seasoned leader in the realm of higher education, currently serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of Toronto. With an extensive career that spans across notable institutions such as the University of Guelph and Queen’s University, Bo has been at the forefront of numerous digital transformations. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum from finance and human resources to the enhancement of teaching and learning methodologies.
His role has been pivotal in fostering collaborative projects that transcend local, provincial, and national boundaries, with a focus on critical areas like Data Management and Information Security. Bo’s commitment to leadership extends beyond operational excellence; he is deeply invested in cultivating team growth and nurturing future leaders within the educational technology landscape. His passion for mentorship and development is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of collective effort and innovation.
Operations