We are rising together, and collaboration is pivotal for us to achieve even greater success in the months and years to come.
Florida State University Provost Jim Clark announced in February 2024 that IT units across the university will join the Information Technology Services team to align critical technology resources and support. This alignment supports the expanding role ITS is taking on in the advancement of technology resources and integrations at FSU, and we look forward to defining the future of technology in higher education—together.
Why the change?
Aligning the university’s technology infrastructure and digital resources is a huge step forward in advancing technology resources and partnerships at FSU. The alignment aims to establish efficiencies and facilitate greater collaboration on university technological priorities and provide innovative research and academic learning environments.
How does this benefit FSU?
The moves position the university to provide the best technology environment for institutional excellence and will foster the discovery and application of emerging tools and practices to facilitate world-class learning and research at FSU.
Benefits
Improved Security
consistent security measures reduce risk and ensure compliance
Enhanced Efficiencies
streamlined and consistent IT processes and procedures result in efficiencies
Cost
Savings
improved resource allocation and bulk purchasing create cost efficiencies
Consistent Support
standardized services and support create a consistent user experience university-wide
Professional Development
access to specialized professional development with clear career paths and career growth opportunities
Strategic Planning
greater collaboration and implementation of technology that aligns with the university’s overall goals and mission
Feedback
Your feedback is valued. Submit any questions, concerns or comments regarding the alignment to its-itc@fsu.edu.
Timeline
Provost Announcement | February 26, 2024
April 5, 2024
Cohort 1 Joins ITS
Office of Distance Learning
August 2, 2024
Cohort 2 Joins ITS
College of Communication & Information
College of Fine Arts
College of Music
Office of Research
University Libraries
October 25, 2024
Cohort 3 Joins ITS
College of Medicine
College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Florida State University Schools
December 6, 2024
Cohort 4 Joins ITS
Athletics Department
National MagLab
Summer 2025
Cohort 5 Joins ITS
Pooling our expertise and resources creates a technology powerhouse on campus. This alignment positions FSU at the forefront of national leaders in the field of higher education technology.
FAQs
Technology is pivotal in Florida State University’s pursuit of excellence. Alignment of the university’s technology infrastructure and resources will foster the discovery and application of emerging tools and practices for engaged learning, groundbreaking research and efficient business operations. Ultimately, critical enterprise technology systems and support will be aligned in one, central IT department to help the university better achieve its strategic goals.
Aligning university technology services will deliver a consistent technology experience across the university. Campus units that once operated independently will work collaboratively to provide exceptional technological resources and experiences for the university community. By bringing these teams together, the university can collectively pool resources and expertise to improve technology offerings and establish technological efficiencies at FSU. The expanded ITS team will work cohesively to elevate the campus technology experience and advance the university’s strategic goals.
The department will retain the Information Technology Services name.
The alignment of university IT resources will be an ongoing project, with the first phase of aligning collegiate and departmental technology staff completed by August 2025.
The vision for technology at FSU is stated in the RISE 2030 campaign. The campaign focuses on making investments and advancements in the areas of research and instruction, innovation and modernization, security and compliance and engagement and student success. This alignment will position the university to provide the best technology environment for institutional excellence.
The reporting structure for campus technology staff will shift to central ITS. Staff will be added to ITS departmental meetings, events and collaboration tools, and there will be a greater emphasis on collaboration and cross-functional teamwork. Staff may be introduced to new technologies and workflows as part of the alignment. Beyond that, job duties, work schedules and work locations will not change. IT staff will stay in the same offices and continue to support local customers in their college or department. Staff salaries will continue to be funded by the current departments, and the alignment will not impact compensation and benefits.
Your work is extremely valuable to the university, and we will work to ensure as little disruption as possible during the alignment.
If your current supervisor is transferring to ITS, your time sheet and leave requests will continue to be approved by your current IT supervisor.
If your current supervisor is not transferring to ITS, your time sheet and leave requests will be approved by your new supervisor within ITS.
If you currently supervise student employees or other OPS employees, you will continue to supervise them and approve their time sheets.
Supervisors of ITS employees should work with Phyllis Williamson (phenderson@fsu.edu) in central ITS for personnel changes, updates and issues.
One goal of the ITS alignment initiative is to optimize technology investments and procurement processes. Individual colleges and departments will retain ownership of their technology assets while the management of the assets shifts to central ITS. Purchasing additional technology assets will follow a centralized procurement process designed to reduce costs, maximize resources and eliminate duplication.
A centralized procurement process for IT software and hardware will ensure colleges and departments have the required technology while optimizing investments and maximizing technology resources. All university colleges and departments now need approval from ITS for any technology purchases over $1,000. Technology purchase requests can be submitted to ITS via the ITS Purchasing App.
ITS leadership is conducting outreach to university colleges and departments with IT staff. ITS is following a phased approach for the alignment, with conversations occurring with IT supervisors throughout 2024 and 2025. Included employees will be notified of the change at least one month before the alignment and invited to attend open forums and other welcome events.
The indirect supervisor duties can be adjusted based on the units’ unique needs, but could include guidance and training of unit-specific policies and procedures, support during incidents or problems, notification of team member’s leave requests, and feedback related to performance issues.
Download the ITS Alignment PDF for a printable overview of what is changing and how to prepare.
Support
If you would like to talk with someone about the alignment, please contact ITS at its-itc@fsu.edu.
