Planning for Information Technology At USP

Visioning

In order for the IT Strategic Plan to be a truly effective tool for directing the use of technology within the institution, it must be aligned with the overall strategic plan of the University. It must reflect the role of information technology in helping the University to achieve its vision and to accomplish its mission and goals.

The USP Information Technology Strategic Plan was developed in direct response to the USP Vision, which is:

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is an independent, residential, student-centered, health and sciences university recognized for shaping the future of science and educating students to be professionals, citizens and leaders.

The IT Strategic Plan has also been developed in such a way that its goals and strategies will further the USP mission, which is:

The mission of University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) is to provide undergraduate, professional, and graduate education in the health professions and sciences.

• To insure the highest quality standards in our educational programs and services.
• To assist students in acquiring the scientific and technical knowledge, competencies and skills required for successful practice and advancement in their chosen profession.
• To provide a foundation of general education that prepares students intellectually, culturally and ethically for their professional and personal lives.
• To create an environment that fosters learning as well as an appreciation of, and respect for, individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• To promote the advancement and dissemination of knowledge through research and scholarly activity consistent with the educational mission of the University.
• To cultivate in faculty, staff and students a commitment to service for the professions and the community.

IT Vision

The University will embrace technology as a means of enhancing the learning and scholarship that are fundamental to its nature as a university and increasing the effectiveness of operations.

IT Mission

The IT Strategic Steering and Planning Committee promotes the use of technology in teaching, learning, research, and administrative uses; ensures that the infrastructure and equipment is adequate to support innovations in teaching and learning and the application of technology in health care; and plans for the use of technology to assure the smooth administrative operating of the University.

Change is a constant in any planning for technology. Information technology is volatile, and the needs and expectations of our users continue to grow dramatically. Resources need to be fluid enough to seize new opportunities and respond to shifting needs and priorities.

Under the leadership of the Information Technology Department, several campus units provide, maintain and work to improve university administrative functions, including student information, human resource, and financial systems. Our university strives for excellence in implementation of technology programs and services by adopting new trends and adding capabilities when either is appropriate for accomplishing short- and long-term university initiatives.

Information Technology At USP

The University will embrace technology as a means of enhancing the effectiveness of operations and as an integral support for the learning and scholarship that are fundamental to its nature as a university.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Goal

I. The University will develop and maintain technology infrastructure and resources that are capable of supporting its evolving instructional, research and administrative goals.

Objectives

• Gather data to determine appropriate levels of technology for the institution’s mission and needs.
• Remain competitive with comparable institutions by ascertaining the technology expectations of perspective students and their parents.
• Recruit, train, and retain competent information technology staff, adequate to support institutional, research, and administrative goals.
• Improve all services, particularly student services by using technology to reduce time and space constraints, while ensuring the security and confidentiality of information.
• Investigate possible external financial resources in support of information technology at USP.
• Strengthen the use of technology, e.g. World Wide Web, as a tool for recruitment, marketing, and general operational support.
• Provide adequate financial and human resources to maintain and improve general operations and instruction through technology.

Goal

II. The University will encourage and support the use of technology by faculty as a pedagogical tool to increase active student learning.

Objectives

• Assess the present use and future potential to use technology for instruction and course delivery in order to identify facility, resource, training and support needs.
• In light of assessment results, increase the capacity for facilities to accommodate technology in instruction.
• In light of assessment results, implement adequate training, resources and incentives to support faculty with technologically enhanced methods of teaching and course delivery, for example multimedia, web-based instruction and distance learning.

Goal

III. The University will ensure that its students develop appropriate technological skills.

Objectives

• Collaborate with faculty to develop and support the general education curriculum and ensure that students are achieving basic competence in computer usage and in electronic information gathering and research.
• Support the development of applicable technology-related skills within majors and other programs.
• Encourage the development of new technology-intensive programs, e.g. Telecommunications, Instructional Technology.
• Implement strategies to meet the needs of all students including special populations, i.e., non-traditional and international students, and students with disabilities.
• Ensure accessibility to information and technology for students living off campus.

Goal

IV. The University will meet the information needs of the campus.

Objectives

• Continue the move from print to electronic library resources as it becomes technically and financially feasible.
• Support emerging electronic courseware development.
• Encourage faculty, staff and students to engage in electronic scholarly publishing.

USP's IT Steering and Planning Committee

The committee meets quarterly to define and develop a dynamic strategic plan for information technology for all components of the Campus. Additionally, the committee plans the best use of current technology and funding resources. The following is the current membership:

The following list will change…

• Campus Web Manager
• Chairman of Math, Physics, and Computer Science
• CIO/Associate VP for Information Technology (chair)
• Dean of Students
• Director of Computing and Network Services
• Director Of Library and Information Science (vice chair)
• Director of Teaching and Learning Center
• Director, Center for Extended and Distant Learning
• Member of Executive Affairs
• Member of President’s Office
• Member of Advanced Concepts
• Member of Student Government
• Help Desk Manager