University may create 'Tech Dean'

Tufts is in need of a major new administrative position to deal with technology issues, some faculty are arguing. Certain improvements are being held up because no individual oversees all University technology decisions, Executive Committee Chair Professor Gary Goldstein said in a recent faculty meeting.

Technology at Tufts has seen steady and gradual improvement over the years, beginning with the early stages of creating a school-based desktop support structure and the establishment of basic hardware and software systems.

Previously, David McDonald served as the Dean of Information Technology and the Tisch Library and pushed forward many technology initiatives. But after McDonald left in 1998, the position faded away and was never refilled, nor replaced by a dean of technology.

According to Executive Administrative Dean Wayne Bouchard, a new technology dean position would mirror the previous structure, which included the responsibilities of surveying new challenges in the technology field -- such as rethinking organizational structures and creating academic, research, and administrative strategies -- and weighing the financial implications of any changes.

The technology dean would be responsible for both the Tisch Library and the Information Technology Service (ITS) within Arts, Sciences & Engineering (AS&E). But Bouchard said that hiring a full-time information technology (IT) professional was not necessary and that the school was looking for more of a "faculty IT advocate" who would work closely between the administration and faculty.

Mechanical engineering professor and Interim Dean of Engineering Vincent Manno has recently been in charge of some of the tasks that a new technology dean would be responsible for, according to Bouchard.

The debate among faculty primarily revolves around whether or not such a position is necessary for the University. Manno had one of the more vocal opinions against the need for a technology dean at the faculty meeting, expressing that he no longer felt that the position was appropriate.

But Bouchard disagrees. "Leadership in this critical area is absolutely necessary," he said. Keeping up-to-date with the latest technology while keeping finances in mind and creating an agile organizational structure are all priorities, he said.

Some faculty members remain unconvinced. "Ideally, I think it would be a great idea, but the fact that the University is dealing with a dwindling pool of resources, both financial and developmental, makes me reluctant to advocate it," one English professor said of the potential technology dean's position.

"Unfortunately, we still have a scarcity of even the most basic technological resources, such as available computers for all instructors," the English professor said. "Creating, funding, and maintaining such a position seems counterintuitive in light of the inadequate infrastructure."

After McDonald's departure as the Dean of Information Technology and the Tisch Library, Jo-Ann Michalak became the Director of Tisch Library and Bouchard took over the Information Technology responsibilities, as a part of his position of Executive Administrative Dean.

Bouchard continues to work closely with the deans of AS&E, the AS&E IT Management Committee, Tufts Computing and Communication Service, the Computer Facilities Usage Committee, and the University-wide IT Council.

Bouchard is not jumping into the technology dean issue, though. "The bottom line is that there are many venues for these and other IT issues to be raised. If issues are not finding their way to the relevant faculty and administrative committees, then we should find out why that is," he said. The University should investigate these questions before going ahead with any plans to add an administrative position, he said.

Two other projects mentioned at the faculty meeting were a streaming video system and a program that would make students' photos available to their professors on Blackboard. But Bouchard said that there are other areas the school needs to focus on first.

The most common concerns raised by the faculty at last Wednesday's meeting were about failing Internet access in classrooms, which Bouchard feels is one of the more crucial elements to focus on at the moment.

"We have since instituted a policy where once a semester, an audit is performed on every connection in every classroom, to make sure this is resolved," Bouchard said. The average response rate to technology-related problems is less than one day.