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Special Series: Technology >> Part 1: Strategy/Mission/Vision
5/5/2005
 Michael Townsley on presidential leadershipand its key role in campus technology use. THE ACCELERATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY has outpaced the ability of many CEOs to keep abreast of it and more importantly, to effectively channel their perspective on technology advances and solutions, in order to advance their respective institutions. Three years ago, at an annual program for new presidents sponsored by a high-level higher education association, several new CEOs mentioned that one of the most complex issues they have to address is the use of technology on their campuses. Most participants acknowledged that they lacked sufficient knowledge to appropriately address comprehensive issues dealing with technology. |
Not long after that meeting, based on actual discussions among college presidents, SunGard SCT (www.sungardsct.com) facilitated a year-round dialog on the topic of technology in higher education. Ensuing roundtable discussions led to the formulation of topics, which later comprised chapters. Now, thanks to the vision of SunGard SCT, the corporate sponsor of this new presidents program, a tree has grown from that small acorn. The book, President to President: Views of Technology in Higher Education (SunGard SCT, 2005) is the end product.
It is important to note that President to President is not an in-depth look at technology, per se. Rather, the book is intended as a user-friendly guide written by and for college presidents, tantamount to a presidential chat room that had its beginnings in a physical setting—a dialog between and among presidents. Each of the ten presidential authors has addressed his or her topic in a clear, succinct and we believe, helpful manner. Chapters include:
- "Technology & Organizational Strategy /Mission/Vision," by Dr. Michael K. Townsley, former president, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Media, PA
- "Continuing Technology Evolution," by Dr. Laurence W. Mazzeno, president, Alvernia College, Reading, PA
- "Attract, Serve and Retain Students, Faculty and Staff," by Dr. Rosemary Jeffries, president, Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ
- "Wireless Networks and Associated Costs/Issues," by Dr. David R. Black, president, Eastern University and Seminary, St. Davids, PA.
- "Accountability and Institutional Effectiveness" by Dr. John L. Ewing, Jr., president, Mount Union College, Alliance OH
- "The Role of Portals in Higher Education" by Dr. Jake B. Schrum, president, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX
- "IT Security" by Dr. Thomas Meier, president, Elmira College, Elmira, NY
- "Integrate Disparate Systems and Unify Your Digital Campus," by Dr. Earl D. Brooks, II, president, Tri-State University, Angola, IN
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Recommended Reading
- California Community Colleges Partner with Waterfall Mobile on Statewide Emergency Notification Coverage
The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC) has awarded a statewide emergency alert notification contract to Waterfall Mobile. The contract establishes Waterfall's AlertU as an approved technology through the official non-profit foundation for the California Community College (CCC) system office. Through this partnership, individual colleges may directly implement emergency communication services, eliminating lengthy technology evaluation and RFP processes.
- King's College and ASU Add e2Campus for Improved Emergency Notifications
King's College and Arizona State University have switched to Omnilert's e2Campus for emergency notification. Omnilert also has introduced a new program called the ENS Conversion Service that allows schools to bulk upload data from their previous emergency notification system into e2Campus at no charge.
- Saint Joseph Builds Out Wireless Network in Multi-year Upgrade
Saint Joseph's University has begun deploying a Meru Networks wireless local area network across its Philadelphia campus as part of a multi-year effort to bring wireless coverage to every building on campus.
- Vista Ramp Up Is Happening Now, Study Says
Organizations may have been slow to adopt Microsoft Windows Vista, but expect that to change by late 2008 to 2009, according to a Forrester Research report by Benjamin Gray et al., published last week.
- Talisma Launches New Version of CRM with Built-in Application Management
Talisma Corp. announced version 8.0 of its constituent relationship management (CRM) application for higher education. The new release includes application management, a revamped user interface, two-way text messaging, personalized Web portals, and an ADA-compliant Web client, among other enhancements.
- Bringing Composers into Classrooms Through Skype
Two Pennsylvania teaching colleagues with an interest in music and technology are bringing remote experts into classrooms at almost no cost, using Skype's free videoconferencing technology.
- California Community Colleges Partner with Waterfall Mobile on Statewide Emergency Notification Coverage
