Letter from the Vice President for Information Technology
The 2021-2022 academic year began with continued work to install HyFlex equipment across campus. Campus operations were returning to more normal activity so we were able to transition out of pandemic operations, but like much of the world, we were changed by the increased use of technology during the pandemic.
As we resumed regular operations, we returned to some of the critical work that had been bumped from our priority lists due to the pandemic, and this became a year of catch-up/maintenance work, largely centered around security.
Security needs intersected with the increased amount of remote work being done by campus employees. We supported remote work by educating employees on how to hold Zoom meetings more securely and tightening default settings on meetings. We also allowed for more remote desktop connection for certain departments to keep their data and access on campus while also offering more efficient licensing for software shared in remote labs.
The campus celebrated the grand opening of Sugihara Hall, which is a new academic building for chemistry and geosciences. Our staff contributed to planning the classroom technology in the new spaces.
The campus transitioned to a SIP voice system from our former analog system. This was a multi-month project involving partners across campus, and also included adapting the cost model for phones.
Our staff and student employees continue to be our strength as they so often lead with creativity and efficiency as resources are always stretched. We continue to receive positive feedback on the work of our staff from partners and leaders, demonstrating the excellent service we provide to our campus.
Regards,
Marc Wallman
Vice President for Information Technology
North Dakota State University
Financials
FY22
Funding Source | Amount | % of total |
---|---|---|
NDSU-Base Appropriated | $6,188,580 | 50.9% |
Grants | $491,114 | 4.0% |
Student Technology Fee* | $2,753,686 | 22.6% |
Local/Recharge | $2,426,735 | 19.9% |
Capital** | $305,848 | 2.5% |
Total | $12,165,963 | 100.0% |
Bison Card Center Funds 18077 & 18078 are pass through funds only, they do not appear on this report.
Telecomm Appropriated amount includes Fund 30825 & 30826.
*Total Tech Fee Revenue less Expenditures $459,597
Telecom Capitol projects: Card Access Upgrade Avigilon $ 104,066.28, R8 UpGrade = $35,423.10, AADS = $280.00, SIP $221,869.20, Red Box $48,276.16
Grants:
Dept 4500 - AIHEC $36,548.41, ARPA $327,031.82
Dept 4540 - ND-ACES $127,533.46;
Learning and Applied Innovation Center
The LAIC, formerly the TLMC and LAI team, provides a variety of support, consulting and multimedia services for the campus, including video and audio recording studios, multimedia software and specialized equipment, editing and consultative services, classroom project support, multimedia coursework assistance, Instructional Design consultations and technology workshops. Workshop topics included MS Office and Adobe software, audio, video, photography, Google Apps and others.
- 2021-2022 LAIC had 67 check-ins into the lab
- 2021-2022 Instructional Design consultations - 11
Enterprise Networks supports Network, Wireless, CableTV, Card Access, Emergency Blue Phones and Video Surveillance for 112 NDSU building network locations on and off campus, all on campus parking lots and walkways around campus.
2021-2022 Significant Activities and Projects
- Completed management of the networking installation portions of Sugihara construction project
- Completed approximately 25% of the security update for campus card readers and replacement of campus card access system
- Completed the feasibility plan to upgrade portions of the campus interconnectivity to 40 Gigabit or faster. At this point it is cost prohibitive and unnecessary
- Completed the standardized network connectivity upgrade to bring 1 Gigabit connectivity to NDSU’s 8 Research Extension Centers across the state
- Initiated funding and planning to implement a private 5G network at one of NDSU’s RECs
- Completed a large uninterruptable power supply conversion in the R1 data center
- In the process of 53 network switches replacements for network switches that had met their end of vendor support
- Completed 20% of QBB data center copper network cabling overhaul and standardization project
- Complete over 20 small and medium sized facility remodel and recabling projects
- Initiated planning and management of cabling installation for the Peltier construction project
- In progress for managing the network installation at the new Indoor Practice Field
- Converted 1 FTE position from cabling and infrastructure to network administration to meet changing work load demands
- 75% complete of large network cabling project to support the classroom technology refresh in AG Hill
- Initiated purchase and replacement of 90 outdated surveillance cameras
- Expanded surveillance system capabilities with new timeline functions
- Successfully expanded student employee staff from 2 to 6 part time students
Customer Support
IT Help Desk
Source | 2021-2022 | 2020-2021 | 2019-2020 | 2018-2019 | 2017-2018 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Walk-up | 1,405 | 274 | unknown | 4,435 | 5,884 |
8,827 | 11,567 | 8,525 | 6,396 | 6,196 | |
Chat | 1,419 | 1,718 | 92 | 765 | 864 |
Web Submission | 1,832 | 1,866 | 167 | 1,182 | 1,271 |
Equipment Checkout | 620 | - | 1,433 | 2,185 | 1,840 |
Optical Mark Reader | 433 | 43 | 850 | 1,659 | 1,818 |
Plotting | - | - | - | - | 583 |
Calls | 15,085 | 16,859 | 13,037 | 13,992 | 18,066 |
Total | 29,621 | 32,327 | 24,104 | 30,614 | 36,522 |
Partnerships
Records Management Advisory Committee
The Records Management Advisory Committee serves as the overarching governance of NDSU’s Records Management program, providing oversight, guidance and direction.
Cyber Security Group
This special-interest group of technical professionals, communication liaisons and data stewards gather to share strategies and best practices for securing systems and protecting data.
Faculty Senate Technology and Instructional Services Committee
Technology and Instructional Services is a standing committee on NDSU’s Faculty Senate, serving as a liaison between the Faculty Senate and administration in the IT Division.
More information is available at: https://www.ndsu.edu/facultysenate/committees/
Information Technology Communication Liaisons
IT Communication Liaisons members are appointed by their home departments to serve as conduits for information and feedback regarding campus information technology. The group meets monthly to learn about and discuss a variety of technology plans, projects and issues.
Research Data Working Group
The Research Data Working Group includes representatives from Research and Creative Activity, the NDSU Libraries and the IT Division who provide assistance with grant proposal development in the areas of data management planning and IT needs.
More information is available at: https://www.ndsu.edu/research_data/about_us/
Information Technology Council
The IT Council serves in a consultative capacity to the vice president for IT regarding IT strategic planning, policy development and service review for the university.
Information Technology Technical Professionals
The IT Technical Professionals is a special-interest group that provides the opportunity for technical discussions and exchange of information between distributed technical staff and the IT Division.
Instructional Designers
Instructional Designers play a key role in supporting pedagogical use of technology on campus. The group meets periodically with staff in the IT Division to discuss plans, changes and issues related to classroom technology and instructional services.
Learning Spaces Executive Committee
The Learning Spaces Executive Committee provides advice to the Provost concerning the scheduling, use, renovation and creation of learning spaces on campus. Learning spaces include classrooms, laboratories, study areas, computer labs and other rooms where students learn and study. The committee is chaired by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and members include representatives from the Office of the Registrar, Facilities Management, the IT Division, the Office of Teaching and Learning, and the Libraries.
Technology Fee Advisory Committee
The Technology Fee Advisory Committee formulates recommendations to the Vice President for Information Technology about supporting projects that improve the information technology capabilities on campus by the appropriate use of the student technology fee.
More information is available at: www.ndsu.edu/tfac
Student Technology Services
Student Technology Services is a long-standing, work-based learning program that provides opportunities for NDSU students to obtain jobs in the IT field. A student manager oversees the student hiring process, maintains records, assists full-time staff with summer orientation and encourages other IT students to be part of this activity. The IT Division relies on student employees to help communicate and provide an overview of IT services to incoming students during campus visits. We value the work students do and appreciate their willingness to share knowledge and expertise as part of our organization’s outreach activities.
Telephone Administrators
Telephone administrators provide direct services to NDSU departments for all telecommunication needs. They are the first point of contact for any new requests, changes and issues related to telecommunication services.
Unit Records Coordinators
Unit Records Coordinators serve as liaisons between their respective units and NDSU’s records management leadership, contributing to NDSU’s records management program.
Residence Hall Association Campus Services Representatives
Student members of the Residence Hall Association meet monthly with IT Division staff to learn about trends and upcoming changes to campus technologies and to share feedback from their peers in the residence halls regarding student experiences with campus technology services and resources.
Software Contacts
Software Contacts are appointed to serve as liaison between their respective departments and the IT Software Licensing Coordinator regarding software licensing questions, software orders and other software assets and licensing issues.
Staff Senate Information Technology Committee
The Staff Senate Information Technology Committee disseminates information and updates regarding information technology to Staff Senate and carries concerns from Staff Senate to the IT Division.
More information is available at: https://www.ndsu.edu/staff_senate/committees/
Student Government Office of Technology
The Student Government Office of Technology represents the technology needs of NDSU students and works with the IT Division to ensure proper usage of the student technology fee.
More information is available at: https://www.ndsu.edu/sg/tech/
The Information Technology Division is committed to “Delivering Core Solutions and Propelling Innovation” by sustaining reliable infrastructure systems designed to maintain a robust and dynamic core network foundation. The organization’s culture and strength is also expressed by its passionate desire to serve the needs of the campus community through relationships and partner collaboration. In tandem with our campus partners and colleagues, we engage in discussions of discovery, evaluation and implementation regarding new technology tools or state-of-the-art innovations envisioned to enrich teaching, learning or research outcomes.
Staff Achievements
The 34th Annual NDSU Staff Recognition Social was held on April 29, 2022. IT staff recognized for their years of service at NDSU are as follows: 15 years (Susan McDaniel, Chad Coleman, Michael Wolf); 25 years (Jim Sellner, Gary Whaley), 30 years (Chad Foster, Melissa Stotz).
Organization and Staff Changes
Organizational Changes
- Neil Brock hired as Help Desk Assistant Manager (from Help Desk Consultant), 12/20/21
- Chad Coleman promoted to Client Experience Solutions Manager (from Interim Desktop Engineering Team Lead), 2/8/22
- Richard Frovarp hired as Enterprise Applications Team Lead (from Principal Software Engineer), 12/1/21
- Cole Jackson, promoted to Desktop Engineer from Desktop Engineer I, 1/31/22
- Trevor McNeil, hired as AV Project Manager (from Classroom Technology Specialist), 3/21/22
- Desktop Engineering and Desktop Support merged into Client Experience Solutions, 2/8/22
New Staff Hires
- Ademola Amida, Instructional Designer, 8/9/21
- Courtney Breuer, Help Desk Consultant, 5/9/22
- Nazrin Ferdousi, Network Support Coordinator, 2/7/22
- Nathan Hanson, AV Technology Specialist, 5/25/22
- Colton Holien, Help Desk Consultant, 6/6/22
- Michael Russell, Help Desk Consultant, 7/6/21
- Ryley Mullins, Senior Help Desk Consultant – Barry Hall, 11/15/21
- Lori Swinney, Strategic Development Consultant and Instructional Designer, 3/3/22
Staff Resignations/Retirements
- Navneet Deosi, Help Desk Assistant Manager, 9/24/21
- Danyelle Marthaler, Network Support Coordinator, 10/1/21
- Jill Peterson, Enterprise Application Development Manager, 9/30/21
- Michael Russell, Help Desk Consultant, 4/29/22
- Josh Teegarden, Senior Help Desk Consultant, 8/31/21
Employee List
Office of the Vice President for Information Technology
Marc Wallman, Vice President for Information Technology
Sharon Brinker, Office Coordinator
CurtDoetkott, Consulting Statistician
Enrique Garcia, Chief Information Security Officer
Jeff Gimbel, Senior Security Analyst
Diane Harrison, NDSU Card Center staff
Wendy McCrory, Program Manager, NDSU Card Center and Software Services
Kim Owen, Program Manager, Research and Education Network Resources
CeCeRohwedder, Assistant to the Vice President for Information Technology
Kristi Steinmann, Communication and Strategic Partnerships Lead
Information Technology Services
Ademola Amida, Instructional Designer
Jason Blosser, Assistant Vice President for Information Technology Services
VinceAnderson, Desktop Support Specialist
Courtney Breuer, Help Desk Consultant
Neil Brock, Help Desk Assistant Manager
ChadColeman, Client Experience Solutions Manager
TammyCummings, Instructional Services Consultant
Daniel Erichsen, Interactive Media Specialist
Francisco Hidalgo, Desktop Support Specialist
NateGonser, Help Desk Manager
Nathan Hanson, AV Technology Specialist
Colton Holien, Help Desk Consultant
Cole Jackson, Desktop Engineer
CindyKozojed, Telecommunications Analyst
Sharley Kurtz, Instructional Technology Specialist
SusanMcDaniel, Interim Voice and Collaboration Services Team Lead
MicahMcGowen, Classroom Technology Manager
Trevor McNeil, AV Project Manager
Ryley Mullins, Senior Help Desk Consultant – Barry Hall
LornaOlsen, Instructional Services Consultant
Jayme Pfeifer, Telecommunications Analyst
JimSellner, Desktop Support Specialist
JimSenechal, Computer Systems Specialist
Ethan Smith, Classroom Technologies Specialist
MelissaStotz, Learning and Applied Innovation Manager
Lori Swinney, Strategic Development Consultant and Instructional Designer
MichaelWolf, Desktop Engineer
Center for Computationally Assisted Science and Technology
Dane Skow, Executive Director
Nick Dusek, HPC System Administrator
Khang Hoang, Research Facilitator
Samuel Saula, HPC System Administrator
Student Employees
Student employees worked alongside our staff in all of the IT Division’s service areas and contributed a total of 17.58 full-time equivalent hours (36,560) in fiscal year 2022. We often receive kudos and notes of thanks for the work these students do that is sometimes above and beyond expectations. We value our student employees’ contributions, and always hope that their learning experiences while working in IT are valuable to them in their future endeavors.
Enterprise Networks
Steve Sobiech, Assistant Vice President for Enterprise Computing and Infrastructure
JonBronken, Assistant Manager and System Administrator
BruceCurtis, Senior Network Engineer
DavidDahl, Senior Network Infrastructure Engineer
Kevin Dittemore, Network Infrastructure Technician
Jason Eide, Manager, Enterprise Systems
Nazrin Ferdousi, Network Support Coordinator
ChadFoster, Network Infrastructure Technician
RichardFrovarp, Enterprise Applications Team Lead
BrianKennedy, System Administrator
Trevor Knutson, Software Engineer
Pete Lambertz, Enterprise Networks Director
BrianMiller, Telecommunications Analyst
TimMooney, Senior System Administrator
ValNordsletten, Network Engineer
Nathan Robideau, Telecommunications Analyst
Verlyn Sandhurst, System Administrator
Steve Templeton, Software Engineer
Suhan Vethanayagam, System Administrator
BobViou, Senior Network Engineer
GregWettstein, Information Technology Principal Engineer
GaryWhaley, System Administrator
Business Operations, Policy and Strategic Services (all indirect reports)
Camille Brown, Account Technician
Kim Lammers, Business Manager
Rhonda Nilles, Information Technology Budget and Cost Accounting Manager