Reed College
Reed College

Information Technology

CIS Strategic Goals 2009 - 2014
Final Report

 

I. Expand technology support for instruction and research

Facilitate curricular uses of digital materials

  • Collaborated with Library to obtain Mellon/Keck grants to improve student use of digital tools for research, analysis, and presentation.
  • Developed a library e-reserves system integrated with Moodle.
  • Collaborated with Library to design and introduce Digital Thesis collections, Artists Books website and collections, and other digital resources.
  • Collaborated with Library to provide annotation tool training and support (Zotero and Endnote).
  • Deployed Google Apps for collaboration.
  • Conducted Kindle and iPad pilot studies; deployed iPads to all interested faculty members.
  • Implemented scan-to-email facilities in Library and elsewhere.

Continuing Work:

  • Collaborating with Library to develop a new digital asset management system in-house ("Reed Digital Collections”) to replace CONTENTdm)

 

Expand support for research computing

  • In collaboration with the Library and Academic Support, established Data @ Reed group to provide expanded support for quantitative resources
  • Expanded licenses for teaching & research including Mathematica, Stata, MatLab, ARCGIS.
  • Increased research data storage via AFS and Google Drive.
  • Implemented a new linguistics lab.

Continuing Work:

  • In collaboration with the Library, piloting system and processes for data management and long-term storage.
  • Exploring new strategies for increased computation, storage, and bandwidth.

 

Provide support for the expanded use of technology in the performing arts

  • Collaborated with the Library to create the Performing Arts Resource Center (PARC) to provide specialized software for music, dance, and theatre, as well as high-end audio and video equipment.
  • Created and filled the position of Performing Arts Instructional Technologist to staff the PARC and provide support to faculty and students in the use of technologies for stage and sound design, choreography, music composition and performance.
  • Provided ongoing research and evaluation of relevant emerging technologies (3D sensors, motion capture, 3D printing, etc.)
  • Supported development of the KineScribe iPad app for dance notation.

 

Expand functionality of curricular software tools such as Moodle

  • Provided support for Moodle, now used in more than 75% of Reed courses.
  • Introduced new Moodle features including e-reserves integration, tools to facilitate paperless assignment submission and commenting, anonymous modes for discussion forums and assignment submission, drag-and-drop file upload, fully featured testing interface, timed release of activities.
  • Collaborated with peer colleges to develop a version of Moodle that is optimized for use in a liberal arts environment.
  • Increased use of course blogs and other instructional tools such as Google apps.

 

Improve access to technology in the classroom

  • Merged Audio-Visual Services with Computer User Services in order to provide more seamless classroom technology support.
  • Implemented "clicker" technology for classroom use.
  • Expanded classroom projection to more than 85% of classroom, laboratory, and other teaching spaces.

Continuing Work:

  • Continuing to expand and improve support for classroom uses of technology

 

Improve faculty awareness of, and ability to use, instructional technologies

  • Offered frequent workshops on technologies of interest including geospatial and statistical analysis software, collaboration and presentation tools, the iPad, language learning tools, and Moodle.
  • Increased instructional technology staffing to provide one-on-one and group training for faculty on current and emerging technologies.
  • Collaborated with faculty to design class projects that incorporate technology.
  • Purchased Lynda.com subscription to provide on-demand access to self-paced, video-based software training.

 

II. Enhance the functionality and use of enterprise data

Integrate Human Resources data and processes with other administrative areas

  • Purchased and implemented Banner HR/Payroll to integrate with the rest of the Banner administrative system.
  • Banner HR data is now used to maintain the online and print directories.
  • Integrated HR system with other systems to automate account provisioning and a wide range of other tasks.

Continuing Work:

  • Working with HR to replace paper-based processes and record keeping with improved online/digital methods.

 

Substantially expand the use of information technology in student services areas such as academic support, health & counseling, community safety, drug & alcohol data collection, etc.

  • Assisted student services with the implementation of cloud-based AOD and Sexual Misconduct training programs for entering students.
  • Implemented numerous systems including an electronic health records management system, a community safety records management and dispatching system for (ARMS), a housing assignment and dorm maintenance tracking system (StarRez), and a student job posting system (NaceLink).
  • Expanded IRIS apps for student services applications.

Continuing Work:

  • Working with Student Services to standardize data definitions and increase reporting & analysis capabilities

 

Facilitate expansion of web resources for alumni, development, and other college relations areas

  • Expanded alumni directory to include social and career networking features.
  • Implemented parent accounts and web directory.
  • Enhanced alumni reunion site and registration processes.
  • Developed Centennial collections and website (now College Archives site).
  • Redesigned Reed Magazine site with commenting features.
  • Improved Reed Events mailing list sign up.

 

Expand self-service options in financial aid, business office, and other administrative areas

  • Implemented Banner self-service for HR/Payroll, Financial Aid, and Accounts Receivable.
  • Implemented a utility (Medicat) for student self-service health & counseling center appointment scheduling.
  • Implemented OneCard for laundry payments.

 

Deploy document imaging tools for the registrar, college relations, admissions, and other offices

  • Replaced end-of-life document imaging system with new, more robust system (NolijWeb).
  • Deployed scanners for registrar, college relations, admission, and other offices.
  • Developed web interfaces for collecting new student documents and providing student advising materials to faculty online.

 

Expand and improve measures to ensure enterprise data security

  • Reduced access to confidential information in our enterprise systems by limiting the scope of exposure and access by end users.
  • Encrypted end-user workstations, and back-office systems.

Continuing Work:

  • Continuing efforts to purge enterprise systems of social security numbers and other personally identifiable information in cases where that data is not required for routine business processes.

 

Improve staff training, documentation, and awareness of new technologies

  • Provided staff training sessions for Google Drive and Calendar
  • Created help pages for systems and procedures primarily used by administrative and academic support staff.

 

 

III. Increase integration and access to electronic information resources

 

Provide campus-wide integration of email, calendars, contact information, and other utility applications

  • Implemented Google Apps for Education (GAE) for all faculty, students, and staff to provide integration of email, calendars, contact information, and other utilities.

 

Expanded functionality of the Reed portal (IRIS) and enhance integration of disparate services, communications channels, and web-based forms

  • Developed IRIS apps for student contact management (SASSI), getting started forms for incoming students, CLBR student grant applications, student activities event management, and online schedule of courses.
  • Established links to Medicat Student Health Portal, Residence Life Portal, and textbook requisition.
  • Developed new web-based form for HR benefits open enrollment, admission ROME applications, Admission postcard response, new staff accounts and maintenance requests.
  • Re-implemented IRIS in new technology to improve stability and expandability.

 

Expand capacity for production, distribution, and use of digital audio, video, and multimedia

  • Implemented Podcast Producer for video processing and streaming video. iTunes U and YouTube channels for video and audio distribution.

Continuing Work:

  • Implementing video content management system (Ensemble) to include integration with Moodle.

 

Improve web resources for reporting institutional information for accreditation and regulatory compliance

  • Purchased and implemented the Argos reporting system for all administrative offices.
  • Purchased and implemented ARMS system for Community Safety to support Clery Act reporting.
  • Established Education Department mandated consumer information site for prospective students
  • Created web resources for environmental health & safety hazardous materials tracking, radiation handling training & quiz system, reactor training and student management.

 

Enhance critical infrastructure components for identity management, role-based access, file storage, backups, online collaboration, and workflow processes

  • Implemented "local cloud" backup service for all faculty & staff computers using Crashplan.
  • Joined InCommon to provide federated, inter-institutional identity management capability.
  • Deployed new disk-based backup infrastructure for academic and administrative servers.
  • Created/improved internally built databases and tools for identity and account lifecycle management ("REEDCO, Porthole, etc.)
  • Created a Role-based Access Control (RBAC) platform to provide unified management of web applications.
  • Deployed an in-house utility for distributing and sharing very large files (FileRobot).

 

 

IV. Mobility: Expand support for mobile computing and communications

Support multi-platform mobile communications and information access technologies

  • Developed email and calendaring setup and support for both Apple iOS and Android mobile devices.
  • Established a short-term laptop and iPad loaner checkout program for students.
  • Redesigned and implemented web-based resources to enable better viewing of Reed web pages on mobile device screens.
  • Increased faculty access to tablet technology through iPad pilot programs.

 

Support point-to-point and multipoint videoconferencing

  • Evaluated and deployed Fuze, Skype, GoToMeeting and other videoconferencing tools.
  • Collaborated with NW5C colleagues to develop an inter-institution videoconferencing strategy.

Continuing Work:

  • Upgrading VoIP system to add high quality, VoIP-based videoconferencing features.

 

Expand communication resources via cloud based, social networking, blogging, podcasting, and other tools

  • Enhanced Reed Magazine and News Center websites.
  • Created Admission This is Reed website (https://www.reed.edu/this-is-reed/index.html)
  • Deployed Wordpress enterprise blog platform.
  • Introduced staff support for social networking.
  • Implemented podcasting and video streaming via iTunes U in the cloud and locally via Wowza.

 

Improve scope, reliability, and security of campus wireless network access

  • Improved wireless networking with new access points that are faster, more secure, more reliable, and easier to manage.
  • Installed redundant wireless controllers to increase total wireless bandwidth capability and upgraded core academic network to support increased wireless demand.

Continuing Work:

  • Deploying an additional 25 access points to the existing network of 170 access points in order to fill in coverage gaps.

 

Replace end-of-life telephone switch with VoIP-based unified communications technology

  • Implemented campus-wide VoIP-based telephone system, voicemail, fax server, and emergency communications system (Informacast).

 

V. Promote information technologies that are environmentally & economically sustainable

Pursue technologies that reduce the use and storage of paper

  • Replaced obsolete document imaging system with more powerful, campus-wide document management system (NolijWeb).
  • Implemented software to support paperless admission application review.
  • Deployed new networked laser printers with two-sided printing.

 

Establish campus-wide environmentally sound standards for hardware recycling and disposal

  • Established partnership with FreeGeek recycling to dispose of used and obsolete computers and other hardware in an environmentally sound manner.
  • Established a college-wide, environmentally-sound CIS disposal service for privately-owned computers and other equipment.

 

Pursue computer practices that reduce energy consumption and heat dissipation costs

  • Implemented server virtualization to reduce centralized hardware, thereby lowering and energy requirements and operating costs.
  • Reduced the total number of high heat-producing central devices.

 

Identify and implement long-term cost reduction strategies for providing technology services and resources

  • Negotiated numerous long-term technology service agreements with fixed annual costs or maximum 3% annual contract cost ceilings.
  • Took advantage of cloud-sourcing to reduce future labor costs.
  • Pursued timely volume purchase agreements for significant equipment discounts (e.g., 8% Apple rebate).
  • Re-sold remaindered equipment to recover residual value.
  • Implemented homegrown and open source software in lieu of commercial products (e.g. IRIS and SOLAR instead of Luminis Portal, ReedCo & LDAP instead of commercial identity management system).
  • Implemented website redesign in-house, saving $200K on design consultants.
  • Implemented Xmedius fax server to reduce printing costs and paper usage.

Continuing Work:

  • Negotiated new campus copier lease agreement to reduce prospective five-year costs (2015-2019) by approximately $500,000.