Operational Initiatives

Process Reengineering

University Information Technology is the primary hub for IT programs and initiatives with five departments – Academic & Research, Applications & Architecture, Enterprise Computing Center, Networking & Communications, and Security & Policy. The organization also supports a Computer Store and a shared service desk called the IT Center that operates “virtually” 24 x 7 x 365. Major projects currently underway include the construction of a modern data center, a system to support the President’s Advancement goals, and other initiatives that directly support our IT strategic plan.

While University IT is responsible for a significant portion of the information technology work at the University of Rochester, it is but a piece of the puzzle. Facets of information technology services continue to be delivered through a decentralized model that includes the Information Systems Division (ISD) at the Medical Center and various IT groups in the academic divisions. This unique environment, typical in higher education, results in the need to strike a balance between the need for centralization to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale and the need for decentralization to support better innovation, creativity, and unique branding needs.

The process reengineering effort will be focused on aligning IT services with the institution's missions of teaching, research, patient care, performance, and community service. This will require more effective use of the University’s resources while streamlining internal processes such as order fulfillment, resource management, change management, service/help desk, availability management, cost of service recovery, accounting for service level agreements, etc.

 A key objective of this initiative is to build collaborative relationships across the University to create integrated, secure, and dependable IT systems and practices that support efficient and cost-effective distribution of information across the University community.