Overview

Campuswide Information Technology Policy and Planning

Power Contingencies
On May 11th, in response to UC Davis' request, Pacific Gas & Electric granted an exemption to the core campus from mandatory rolling blackouts. Concerns about important ongoing research and the welfare of animals and people convinced PG&E of the need to grant the exception. However, portions of the campus outside the core remain vulnerable to periodic loss of power. Vice Chancellor for Administration Janet Hamilton says the campus must continue its already aggressive efforts to conserve energy and that we will still curtail campus power use at the request of PG&E. IET is working in cooperation with the Campus Public Communications Office to provide practical advice on what people should do to prepare for and recover from power interruptions. The campus has developed an "Unplugged" awareness campaign, including notification protocols, energy conservation tips, and a central informational Web site (http://unplugged.ucdavis.edu/).
--> More on Power Contingencies.

UC Davis Enterprise Portal

-	New Business Architecture Steering Committee in Place In February, the Vice Provost for Information and Educational Technology (IET) and the Vice Chancellor for Administration jointly announced the formation of the UC Davis New Business Architecture Steering Committee. The committee is charged with preparing the UC Davis campus for the implementation of the New Business Architecture. --> More on New Business Architecture
-	Enterprise Directory Services An advanced technology project (ATP) team, supported by the Vice Provost for Information and Educational Technology, released a report on enterprise directory services. The report and draft schema can be found at http://vpiet.ucdavis.edu/advancedprojects/index.html. --> More on Enterprise Directory Services
-	MyUCDavis Portal Recommended for Tier 1 Status On March 29, at a rare joint meeting of the Academic and Administrative Computing Coordinating Councils, over 30 campus administrators, faculty members, and staff representatives gave the MyUCDavis portal a resounding vote of approval. If the Information Technology Policy Board approves the Councils' recommendation at its June meeting, the portal will be elevated into the realm of mission-critical computing systems, joining ranks with the well-established financial system (DaFIS) and student information system (Banner). To date, over 10,000 unique users have logged into the portal. To visit MyUCDavis, login as a guest at http://my.ucdavis.edu/. --> More on MyUCDavis
-	Pilot E-Recruitment Portal Online UC Davis' pilot E-Recruitment site (http://why.ucdavis.edu/) went live in March. The two-year pilot is designed only for students admitted to the Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies Division (HARCs). To date nearly 400 admitted students have visited the site, encouraged by an email message from the dean to over 2,000 admitted students. HARCs has a goal of increasing enrollment over last year by at least 25 percent. --> More on Pilot E-Recruitment Portal

Security

-	Electronic Credit/Debit Card Transaction Workgroup The workgroup is preparing policy recommendations for campus handling of Internet-based credit card transactions. The policy will soon be available at http://iet.ucdavis.edu/policies/. --> More on Electronic Credit/Debit Card Transaction Workgroup
-	Incident Response Advanced Technology Project In December, IET initiated an advanced technology project (ATP) to develop a framework for campus response to computer/network-related security incidents. The project team is now preparing to release the incident response framework for campus review and input. --> More on Incident Response ATP
-	Security Assessment Workgroup In March, the Security Assessment Workgroup completed its evaluation of the information security vulnerabilities of a major campus research laboratory. The resulting report outlined recommendations for physical and logical security improvements. The workgroup and IET are reviewing alternatives to assist the laboratory to implement corrective actions. --> More on Security Assessment Workgroup

Vendor Selected for Student Computer Purchases
The Student Computer Ownership Workgroup has selected Dell Computer Corp. as a partner in support of the UC Davis Student Computer Ownership Statement of Expectation.
--> More on Student Computer Purchases.
UC Davis Electronic Communication Policy
The campus drafted its version of the UCOP Electronic Communication Policy. The draft policy represents a major revision to the campus E-mail Policy. It is designed to establish a single policy that integrates the computer and network acceptable use policy and the campus network policy. The new policy includes provisions that address the roles and responsibilities of campus system administrators.
--> More on Coordinating Councils.

Infrastructure Highlights

Communications
See the May 2001 UC Davis Report to the Communications Planning Group at http://iet.ucdavis.edu/pubs/CPG/CPG_05_01.html.

-	Coordinated Approach to IET Student Employment IET has initiated a more coordinated approach to making UC Davis students aware of the excellent employment opportunities available to them in our organization. The approach has several components including a brochure for distribution to the student population describing the types of opportunities and advantages we offer and a Web site (http://iet.ucdavis.edu/studentjobs/) where job openings will be posted with contact information for learning more about the positions.
-	Fast Track Program Yielding Success The FastTrack program has successfully placed one of its members into a career position within the Information Resources Student Information System (SIS) development group. The Information Resources department is currently preparing offers to two additional FastTrack members who are students graduating this June. --> More on Fast Track Program
-	Campus HR Assists with Flexibility in Job Postings In two instances, IET has recruited for multiple levels of positions on a single vacancy listing, with the option to offer positions at the appropriate level(s) depending on applicant qualifications. This is a significant advantage over posting multiple vacancy listings and requiring applicants to resubmit materials to be considered for positions at the appropriate level.
-	Campus Undertakes First Campuswide Job Fair UC Davis will hold its campuswide job fair on June 9. Approximately 80 departments, including IET, will be among the participating employers. --> More on I-Drive
-	UC Davis Participates in Local Job Opportunities Web Site UC Davis and UC Davis Health Systems are participating as sponsors of the career section of the KCRAChannel.com for a six-month trial period (KCRA is a major local TV station). --> More on Local Job Opportunities
-	Using Outside Recruiters for Hard-to-Fill Positions IET is collaborating with campus Human Resources and Purchasing to establish a blanket agreement with a recruiting firm to assist with finding competitive applicants for our hard-to-fill positions. --> More on Outside Recruiters

Projects

-	Account Conversion Process Complete The campaign to convert 3,311 Old-Style LoginIDs to UCD LoginIDs (implemented in 1996 to replace the Old-Style) was completed successfully on April 25. --> More on Account Conversion

Academic Computing Highlights

Classroom Meet and Greet Program Continues
This winter, IET continued the meet and greet program to help faculty use new classroom media equipment. In six of the larger general assignment classrooms, 77 classes were targeted. Twelve staff members from the Classroom Support Unit went to the beginning of all 77 classes and offered immediate help, if necessary. Approximately 20 percent of faculty asked for some sort of help. Virtually all faculty were appreciative of the effort made.
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Computer Labs Expected To Charge for Printing
The campus Rate Committee has approved IET's proposal to charge for printing. The proposal calls for a $.05 charge per sheet printed per quarter. The first 200 sheets per quarter will be free. The proposal will soon be evaluated by the Academic Coordinating Computing Council, the Information Technology Policy Board, and other key campus groups.
--> More on Print Charges
Course Management Symposium in the Planning Stages
IET is developing a UC-wide symposium on course management systems. This symposium is intended to help participants learn more about other campuses' experience with WebCT and home-grown solutions. It will also give a user perspective on the pros and cons of various course management systems. For more information, contact Andrea Ullrey at alullrey@ucdavis.edu.
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Meet the Experts Series of Presentations Showcase Multimedia
Mediaworks is sponsoring a series of seminars called "Meet the Experts." Mediaworks' professionals present on topics ranging from photography, graphic arts, DVD/Video production, and compression to color management and "out-of -the box" Powerpoint presentations. The seminars are intended to introduce faculty to art and technology they may not be aware of and to encourage them to think creatively about the use of multimedia in the classroom.

Administrative Computing Highlights

Banner (Student Information System)
The Banner team is working on the latest upgrade, Banner 5.x. The projected implementation date is November 10.
--> More on Banner
Campus Direct Deposit Service Builds Recognition and Enrollment
In February, the campus launched a direct deposit solution. The service was developed by technical staff from Accounting and Financial Services and IET. The Direct Deposit System--which is separate from payroll direct deposit--allows employees to receive expense reimbursements electronically. Students are using the system to have financial aid payments or other money the University owes them deposited into their bank accounts.
--> More on Direct Deposit Service
Payroll/Personnel System (PPS) Data Warehouse Adds Payroll Costing Reports
A new sub-system for tracking payroll costs has been added to the local PPS Data Warehouse and Web-based Decision Support reporting system.
--> More on PPS Data Warehouse
Campus Data Warehouse Project Looking at Additional Subject Areas
Over the next several months, the Data Warehouse project team will work on two additional subject areas for data loads, Alumni and Research Contracts and Grants.
--> More on Campus Data Warehouse
Financial Information System (DaFIS) Makes Enhancements
[submitted by UC Davis Accounting and Financial Services]
The Client Services Group has begun efforts in the development of enhanced online user support. All exercises for the DaFIS classes are now online (http://saab.ucdavis.edu/dafis/exercises/); the Web site is being redesigned and enhanced The development version is located at http://saab.ucdavis.edu/DaFIS/newdafis/index.cfm); and the group is developing online guides and tutorials. Completion of a basic Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS), including links from Transaction Processing to online tools, is expected to be implemented by the end of summer.
--> More on DaFIS