Procedure Name: Use, Acquisition and Support of Information Technology |
Date Approved: April 30, 2008 |
Procedure Category: Information Technology |
Date Effective: April 30, 2008 |
Policy Authority: Board of Governors Policy 1.2.040 |
Date Last Revised: |
Approval Authority: University President |
Review Cycle: |
Responsible Member: Chief Information Officer |
|
As information technology continues to increase in scope, complexity, and dependency on its use, requirements for its support increase as well. As the University of Central Missouri provides support for information technology efficiently and effectively, some consistency of products and processes is necessary. To effectively accomplish this, a balance must be struck between standardization and the functional requirements of individual departments, especially academic departments with their broad spectrum of needs.
Technology products and processes are used at UCM in one of two environments: the Production/Operation environment, or the Research and Development environment. The Production/Operation environment encompasses the services UCM provides for its students, faculty, staff and other constituents. The Research and Development environment includes products or processes developed as a part of faculty or student research. The following rules apply to information technology to be used in either environment:
Standard information technology products and processes, as designated by the Information Technology Policy Council, should be used when those standard products and processes will perform the necessary function at acceptable performance levels. Under normal circumstances, no standard product will be dropped from support without at least one year's notice to the user community.
Departments purchasing hardware and software must do so in compliance with instructions published by UCM's Procurement Department.
If a non-academic department or unit is considering independently developing a non-standard technology product or process to deliver a service to students or the public, directly or indirectly (in the production/operation environment), the Department of Information Services must be contacted before development begins. The Department of Information Services will evaluate the product or process to ensure that it is supportable for the period of time it is expected to be in use. Before development begins, the department considering the new product or process will prepare an analysis of the costs and benefits expected from the custom technology product or process. The Department of Information Services will prepare a separate evaluation and a recommendation regarding the proposed product or process. The departmental analysis and the evaluation/recommendation from the Department of Information Services will be presented to the appropriate vice president. Development will proceed only with approval from the vice president.
If an academic department or unit is considering independently developing a non-standard technology product or process, the Department of Information Services will be available for consultation. However, if the developing department or unit does not consult with the Department of Information Services before development and implementation of the product or process, then the Department of Information Services will not be expected to provide support to that product or process.