Information Technology Steering Committee

Mandate and Reporting

In support of the Ontario Veterinary College’s learning, research, service and administrative functions, and in consultation with user-groups, the OVC Information Technology Steering Committee (ITSC) establishes the vision, plans strategic directions, and sets general policies, related to the application of information technology within OVC. It also addresses College-level information technology issues and concerns, conducts further examination of these issues, evaluates opportunities and recommends solutions. The ITSC reports to Dean’s Council through the Committee Chair.

Specific Committee Objectives

1. Support College learning, research, service and administrative strategies by ensuring that an efficient IT technology environment exists.
2. Sustain sufficient micro-computing infrastructure and capacity, and enable peak operational efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Coordinate special IT projects.
4. Explore new technology and evaluate appropriateness for College integration.

General Committee Responsibilities

The committee co-ordinates College-wide information technology consultation and planning. This involves technology needs assessment and the creation of a rolling comprehensive plan that is shared with the OVC community. The committee conducts biannual reviews to evaluate how effectively plans have been operationalised. Other college IT subcommittees that focus on specific projects, programs, or facilities (e.g. the Learning Commons and the Learning Technologies Centre) report to this committee.

The ITSC evaluates and make recommendations on the following applications of IT in OVC:

1. Infrastructure
   • IT and LT staffing support models.
   • Service level definitions for the OVC Learning Technologies Centre.
   • Standardized software.
   • Automation of College IT-related functions and business processes.
   • Networking issues.
   • WWW issues.
2. Policy Setting/Liaison
   • Operational polices, procedures and guidelines.
   • Collaboration with CCS and TSS.
3. Special Projects
   • Special technology projects (e.g. CANARIE, Learning Commons, network infrastructure).

Committee Membership

Members must be individuals with interest in, and understanding of, how technology fits with College strategies and directions:

• Must have senior level representation from Dean’s Council.
• Must have faculty representation.
• Must have IT Manager.
• Must have CCS representation.

The Committee’s Strategic Planning Process

The committee will:

1. Create a Vision
   • In consultation with users, create a specific vision of the College’s future IT needs and directions.
2. Conduct a Technology Needs Assessment
   • Assess the current situation and compare it to the vision.
   • Conduct user needs survey.
3. Formulate the College IT Plan
   • Develop a mission statement that is a clear, concise statement of the overall vision for the College’s use of technology (i.e. who uses the technology, and how and where it will be used).
   • Develop an IT plan that fulfills the mission statement. This plan will be measurable and will outline what must happen to realize the vision and reach goals.
   • Communicate the mission statement and IT plan to the user community and be responsive to the resulting feedback.
4. Operationalise the plan
   • Create working groups to focus on specific projects, requirements and goals.
   • Communicate plans to IT operations staff and involve staff in feasibility assessment and implementation plans.
   • Develop specific technology requirements by translating goals into requirements, assessing current resources, and setting guidelines and timelines for achieving these goals.
   • Develop performance measurement criteria, benchmarks and best practices.
5. Review the plan
   • Conduct biannual reviews to ensure goals and requirements have been met.
   • Assess performance measurements.
   • Conduct periodic user needs assessments.
   • Realign goals and requirements if necessary.

Formalized User-group Input to ITSC

The OVC Information Technology Advisory Council has been established to bring IT issues from constituency groups and departments to the ITSC. This council has faculty membership from the four academic units and representation from the Teaching Hospital, the Animal Health Laboratory, the departmental administrative assistants, DVM undergraduate students and OVC graduate students. The Council provides a forum for open discussion of information technology issues affecting these departments/areas. Council members provide input to the ITSC and communicate information back to their respective constituents. Meetings are normally scheduled on a semester basis, or as needed during special planning periods.

Current Members

OVC IT Steering Committee Membership as of February 1, 2009

• Dr. Peter Conlon (Chair)
• Ms. Gayleen Gray
• Ms. Kathleen Hope
• Dr. Gordon Kirby
• Mr. James Lennier, CCS
• Dr. Kerry Lissemore

College Committees