These are the types of questions the newly established UC Information Technology Guidance Committee (ITGC) will address over the next 18 months as it enters into a broad discussion about the future role of IT in UC's mission, academic programs, and strategic goals. The committee, which holds its first meeting on Friday, April 14 at the Office of the President, has been charged by Acting UC Provost Rory Hume to identify areas where systemwide or cross-campus planning, investment, and activity holds promise for economies, efficiencies, and innovation in instruction, research, and information services.

The ITGC is made up of members from across the UC system, including faculty, chief information officers, and academic administrators. In addition to Hume, the committee is being led by Kristine Hafner, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer of UCOP's Information Resources & Communications, and Dan Greenstein, Associate Vice Provost and University Librarian of the California Digital Library.

The ITGC will focus on several strategic areas, including teaching and learning, student use of technology, stewardship of digital assets, high performance research computing, and scholarly collaboration. The Committee is being assisted by campus experts in these areas and by OP staff who will form work groups to explore these issues and draft recommendations for systemwide or cross-campus investment or action. The work groups will begin submitting reports in Fall 2006 and the committee is expected to present a final report to the UC President and Regents in the Fall of 2007.

For more information about the ITGC, including an overview and a list of members and work groups, visit the ITGC web site at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/itgc/ .

NOTE: The TLtC will provide updates at key junctures of the ITGC process. If you are not already a subscriber, please consider signing up .