INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 2007 STRATEGIC PLAN

LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN 2007

Message from the Vice President & CIO

The use of information technology (IT) in academe has become ubiquitous and is a major competitive advantage for those institutions that are able to harness technology in pursuit of their overall mission as educational institutions. Technology is rapidly transforming all aspects of human life, including the way that we work, study, and play. It is important for Fairmont State to leverage these trends, and to create a secure and stable teaching & learning environment that both utilizes the power of IT and helps transform it in meaningful ways to our students, faculty, and staff.

The IT Strategic Plan (including the Library Strategic Plan, see separate document/link on this page) will explore the many ways in which Fairmont State is pursuing IT competitive advantage for the betterment of the institution, the region, and the state. The range of technologies in play cover everything from simple e-mail and voice mail messaging to integrated and sophisticated automated systems that simplify the operational aspects of managing an institution while amplifying the effectiveness and reach of our teaching and learning mission to the citizens of the State of West Virginia, and beyond.

One of the key factors to success is a tight alignment between the IT strategic mission and the mission of the institution as a whole. Oftentimes, technology initiatives can run ahead on their own, with little or no tie in to the overall business of the institution within which it resides. The job of the Vice President & CIO is to ensure that all technology initiatives are undertaken in support of the business and educational goals of the institution that we serve. It is critical that the IT mission succeed, since the academic landscape has become considerably more competitive over the past decade. Simply put, institutions that do not keep pace with change and technology are falling by the wayside, while those that embrace these changes are soaring toward ever greater achievements, financial stability, and a seat at the table of successful 21st century organizations.

We have a particular challenge here at Fairmont State in that our IT mission must provide services to both a community college (Pierpont Community & Technical College, a division of Fairmont State University), and the university as a whole (Fairmont State University). We are fortunate in that we have collaborative leadership in place that will streamline and simplify this process. Our expectations for the future will further enhance the services and opportunities provided to our students.

I am excited about the wide range of projects and challenges that this plan addresses, and I am looking forward to a successful implementation of the primary goals contained in the plan. The quality of our institutional leadership, and of our students, faculty, and staff is the most important key success factor towards attainment of these ambitious, yet essential, goals.

 

Michael J. Bestul
Vice President & Chief Information Officer