As a university-led review of current UNMC IT services and support continues, leaders today announced initial steps for greater integration and alignment between the University of Nebraska System Information Technology Services (NU ITS) and select UNMC IT services.
Frank Bogatz has announced his decision to leave his role as UNMC’s Chief Academic Technology Officer, effective Aug. 20. Bogatz’s departure, as well as ongoing budget pressures, created a natural opportunity for university leaders to think differently about how to best deliver quality IT services in a highly efficient way. Effective this week, NU ITS Vice President for Information Technology Bret Blackman and members of Blackman’s NU ITS leadership team will begin supervising the services and staff currently managed by Bogatz.
“I want to thank Frank for his dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment to improve coordination and communication related to IT services at UNMC,” said Anne Barnes, vice chancellor for business, finance and business development at UNMC.
While many core IT services at UNMC will continue to be provided by the Nebraska Medicine IT team (including, but not limited to, networking, data center operations, cybersecurity and email), specific IT services will begin to be supported by NU ITS, including Canvas and integrated tools for teaching with technology and request/demand management for IT support.
“The support from NU ITS leadership will help ensure uninterrupted support for our faculty, staff and students during the transition,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “This also will enable greater collaboration on NU-wide IT solutions and support top university goals for more seamless digital experiences across the University of Nebraska and its campuses.”
Blackman said he and members of his leadership team will begin meeting with key stakeholders at UNMC as part of the transition; NU ITS is committed to providing excellent support to the campus, he said.
“Our primary objective remains to improve the value and efficiency of IT services at UNMC and throughout the NU system, with an emphasis on providing a positive support experience,” Blackman said. “It is important that IT services are aligned to enable the strategic goals of UNMC and the University of Nebraska System.”