University Technology

About University Technology (uTech)

Mission

University Technology (uTech) is a division of Finance and Administration at Western Illinois University.  Its mission is to provide secure, reliable and high-speed technological infrastructure; an efficient, effective operations environment; integrated information management solutions, and other high-quality, timely services and support to the Western Illinois University community to advance the University’s goals and objectives while reflecting its core values: Academic Excellence, Educational Opportunity, Personal Growth and Social Responsibility.   

The Center for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT), which is part of University Technology, was chartered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1996.  CAIT’s mission (as described in the 2013 IBHE Program Review) is to develop, deploy, and support online learning systems and applications for educational entities, businesses, public agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.  It is 100% self-funded through the grants/contracts for services it provides both to the University and to outside clients.

Vision

University Technology will be a leader among its peers in supporting a connected, state-of-the-art educational environment.

uTech Areas 

  • Administrative Information Management Systems
    AIMS partners with University constituents to create, implement and support integrated information management solutions that contribute to the success of the University's mission.
  • Business Applications
    Business Applications has the responsibility of supporting third-party applications used by functional offices at the University. This includes working with specific areas to determine software needs, system design and installation plans.
  • Center for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT)
         CAIT, a center in uTech, provides innovative and practical technology solutions (web applications, mobile technology), technical consulting, and sound e-learning on campus as well as to external clients such as state agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and public agencies.
  • Digital Spaces
    Digital Spaces designs and maintains all of WIU's computer labs, computer resource centers, electronic classrooms, and connected conference rooms. Digital Spaces is also responsible for the operations and management of the Digital Rec Center.
    • Online Teaching and Learning (OTL)
      Delivers customer-focused services and resources that empower WIU faculty in designing, creating, and implementing the finest online teaching experiences. Our commitment is deeply rooted in furthering Western's mission. We aim to provide services that ensure consistent student-centered, high-quality courses, with exceptional user experiences in an environment that fosters excellence and achievement for all.
  • IT Infrastructure
    • Enterprise Systems
      Enterprise Systems is responsible for installing, maintaining and monitoring both system software running on WIU's IBM z9 mainframe as well as all peripheral hardware devices attached to the mainframe. The system supports all administrative batch processing as well as WIUP and STARS transactional systems.  
    • Network Infrastructure
      Network Infrastructure designs, maintains, and monitors WIUs data and voice networks. This includes the administrative network that all academic and administrative buildings use as well as the Residential Network (ResNet) for on-campus students.
    • Server Administration
      The server administration team designs, maintains and monitors uTechs servers (Unix, Linux, Windows and Mac) that provide a myriad of services to the WIU community such as: Zimbra Collaborative Suite, WesternOnline, hosted public and secure websites, Samba files servers, Microsoft AD and LDAP directory services et al.
    • Telecommunications
             The Telecommunications office is the point of contact to install a new phone or to move an existing phone. They are also the point of contact for cellular stipends, university-owned cellular phones, calling cards, authorization codes, pagers, and provides billing for all administration and students and maintains the E911 records for WIU.
  • QC Technology
    QC Technology provides technical support services for the WIU Quad Cities campus. Areas of QC Technology support include instructional spaces technology, desktop hardware, user support, network infrastructure, telecommunications, server administration, digital signage, and web services.
  • User Support Services
    • Desktop and Hardware Services
      Desktop and Hardware Services provides desktop and mobile computing support for WIU faculty and staff. DHS also performs hardware repairs on WIU equipment and offers hardware recommendations for the campus community.  
    • Support Center (help desk)
             The uTech Support Center serves as a first point of contact for WIU faculty, staff and students needing technical help. They provide walk-in, phone and email support services.
  • Web Services
         Web Services coordinates production & dissemination of content on the wiu.edu domain pages, and serves as the principle leader in advancing Western Illinois University's web presence.

 

Departmental Information

Getting Involved in Technology