ITAC Charter | Information Technology | University of Pittsburgh
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ITAC Charter

I. Preamble

This Charter establishes the Chancellor’s advisory committee on information technology.  This Committee will be referred to as the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) as the core of the overall University IT Governance structure. It is authorized by the Chancellor and will serve at the Chancellor’s discretion. This Charter outlines the purpose, relevant background, scope, responsibilities, composition, and operations of the Committee.
 
This document does not authorize the creation of new policy, and should be read in conjunction with all applicable University policies, protocols, and procedures.

II. Purpose 

The ITAC is created to provide an anchor in the University’s new IT governance structure and to serve as an advisory body to the Chancellor and University.  The ITAC provides governance for all IT at the University of Pittsburgh, including all campuses, schools, departments, and centers.  It is intended to foster creation of a culture of innovation, customer focus, partnerships with all areas of the University community, continuous improvement, and rapid delivery of needed services through central or distributed IT services. 

III. Background 

Information technology (IT) is the backbone of the modern university, which extends far beyond the physical borders of its campuses to include collaboration with people and institutions worldwide. The “university of the future” depends not only upon bricks and mortar, but on virtual connections and technologies that are rapidly evolving to meet the real needs of students, faculty, and staff.
 
An assessment of the University’s IT, which was completed in 2019, identified implementing a more comprehensive IT governance as the first of 13 recommendations.  This recommendation calls on the University to define and stand up a coordinated governance structure to facilitate effective IT decision making.  This is a change in the relationship of IT and the University community.  Changing this relationship requires a radical change of discussion from only examining technology independent from the University’s operations to a holistic approach that works to understand problems, and identify and communicate existing or new solutions. The ITAC is formed to facilitate this change.  

IV. Responsibilities 

The ITAC serves as the hub of the University IT governance structure receiving input from the University community, and communicating with and advising the Chancellor.  Specifically, the ITAC has the responsibility to:
  • Receive input from all segments of the University community on needs relating to any constituent group to determine how they might be addressed through IT.
  • Recommends IT priorities and context for the fiscal year in alignment with the Plan for Pitt.
  • Work with the Office of the Chief Information Officer to receive input on IT priorities, funding alignment, funding models such as cost models and cost recovery charges, and other matters where the insight of the ITAC may be helpful.
  • Make recommendations to the Chancellor regarding University action.
  • Communicate activities and receive input from the Chancellor.
  • Work with the appropriate stakeholder groups to understand their needs and priorities and to communicate recommendations and plans to address those needs.
  • Understand the administrative model for IT governance and alignment within central IT and University departments and recommend strategies to the Chancellor to develop a culture of “one IT” throughout the University.
  • Foster communication and knowledge sharing within the University community.
  • Focus on the following four key areas in IT: effectiveness, efficiency, simplification, and security throughout the University.
It is expected that the Committee will work in confidence in order to have a full and frank discussion of all options. Individual members should maintain the deliberations of the Committee confidential and are expected not to discuss the content of the Committee’s deliberations outside of the Committee, unless authorized to do so by the group.

V. Composition 

The Committee will be chaired by Mark Henderson, Vice Chancellor and CIO and will include the following members:

Chancellor’s Cabinet:

Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice Chancellor for Business Operations
Senior Vice Chancellor for Research

Deans 

Senior University Leaders 
Vice Provost and Dean of Students

Faculty Representatives

There shall be five (5) faculty members of the ITAC. Appointments of these members will be made in consultation with the University Senate and will consist of:
  • One of the Senate officers
  • Either the chair or vice-chair of the Senate Computing and Information Technology Committee
  • One voting member from the Educational Policy Committee
  • One voting member from the Research Committee
  • One at large member
There must be at least one representative from the Provost's area schools and at least one representative from the Health Sciences.

Student Representatives

Undergraduate Students  
Graduate Students   

Staff Representatives

VI. Operations 

Additional meetings may be scheduled, as circumstances dictate, but the Committee will meet at least four times during the academic year.  The Committee will periodically report its observations, findings, and recommendations to the Chancellor.