The Office of Information Technology (OIT) will now be called University Technology Solutions (UTS). Kendra Ketchum, UTSA vice president for information management and technology, sent out an email announcing that the name change is effective as of Oct. 1. The office is not only changing its name, but also its operation model.
“By changing our operations model and implementing a new strategic plan, we are aligning ourselves as a solutions provider and partner in UTSA’s pursuit of its three strategic destinations as a model for student success, great public research university and exemplar for strategic growth and innovative excellence,” Ketchum said.
Ketchum met with the UTSA community and its leadership to evaluate the office’s evolution and its role in the university’s future. UTS staff contributed to the name-changing process, and name options were workshopped before a final decision was made.
UTS offers students various services such as the AirRowdy wireless network service, the UTSA Mobile App, PrintSpot, DegreeWorks, ASAP, Microsoft Office 365 application suite, OneDrive for Business, Skype for Business, Microsoft Office Professional Plus suite, Microsoft 365 online applications and StudentConnect. Students can go to the UTS offices located on the second floor of the JPL, the Business Building labs and the second floor of the Bosque Building for assistance with these services.
In addition to the current services provided and the name change, UTS is working on streamlining their operations, aligning the department to the university’s mission and initiatives, onboarding an executive leadership team, creating a governance structure for new IT-related project investments, working toward a hyper-converged infrastructure, outlining a service catalog, opening the new Tech Café and updating their website.
“In the coming months, UTS will roll out a website that will provide up-to-date insight on our rebranding efforts, project commitments, governance initiatives and service portfolio updates,” Ketchum said.
The new Tech Café is intended to be a collaboration among the current OITConnect, StudentConnect and Research Computing Support areas, whose services will all be made available in one location in the Student Union.
“The Tech Café initiative creates a new technology support and solutions center with a personal academic feel to it that will be for students, faculty and staff,” Ketchum said. “We are excited about its upcoming launch in January, as the intent is to offer innovative and complete technology support while providing new solutions and technology education sessions such as quick 15-minute ‘Know Your Tech’ sessions, application use overviews and recurring ‘tech talks’ sessions.”
In addition to creating the Tech Café, UTS staff is collaborating with the Student Government Association to create a student group called the UTS Assembly.
“This robust group of student ambassadors will bring transformative insight to our services, foster a strong and exciting relationship with the student body and serve as the student face of UTS at key community events,” Ketchum said. “This assembly will be highly visible on our campuses as they represent UTS, gather student feedback and distribute information and swag.”
UTS plans on releasing more information in the coming weeks regarding their ongoing changes.
“Our transformation from OIT to UTS is more than just a name change – it’s a bold reinvention,” Ketchum said.
