End User Technologies Sub-Committee

Approved: 30 March 2016

Charge

The End User Technologies Sub-Committee governs the administration, enhancement and efficient use of desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones, collectively known as end user computing devices. These end user devices also interact with applications, storage, networks and other technologies that form a complete end user environment. As such, the use of these technologies in end user environments will also be governed by this committee. 

As part of the Northern Illinois University information technology governance structure, this governance sub-committee derives its authority from the IT Steering Committee (ITSC).

Responsibilities

  • Incorporating existing security and compliance requirements, this sub-committee establishes architectural and support standards governing the purchase, installation and administration of supported operating systems and versions. This governance extends to the administration of all departmentally-owned end user computing devices, but provides only guidance for similar devices purchased through sponsored research funds.

  • In addition to setting operating system standards, this sub-committee is charged with creating and maintaining:
    • hardware platform standards for end user computing devices, but not servers;
    • policies and implementation strategies for rogue wireless access points and unmanaged network hubs;
    • policies and implementation strategies to move distributed storage and system administration to central IT;
    • recommendations for productivity software, including training and migration strategies for upgrades;
    • recommendations for printer functionality and support strategies;
    • a Definitive Software Library for NIU faculty, staff and students that includes prioritizing, reviewing and revalidating applications for enterprise licensing and/or inclusion in the AnywhereApps offering.

  • This sub-committee will also describe and communicate the risks associated with deviating from standards and policies. These risks may include:
    • financial responsibility for security breaches;
    • financial responsibility for any fines incurred for non-compliance with federal or state regulations;
    • legal actions arising from inability to provide requested information for investigations and take-down notices;
    • placement of devices into un-trusted network zones.

  • This sub-committee will encourage professionalism and development opportunities for IT staff who manage end user computing devices by:
    • recommending changes to job descriptions and technical competencies;
    • recommending and communicating expectations for customer service, including response and resolution targets for incident resolution and request fulfillment;
    • creating and communicating metrics that can effectively measure competency and achievements by IT staff;
    • creating and disseminating regular surveys to gather information on customer requirements and satisfaction;
    • researching and recommending training courses and career development opportunities, especially looking for group discounts and for courses that can be customized to meet NIU requirements.

  • This sub-committee will not govern vendor appliances that are wholly supported by the vendor that already comply with the Division of IT’s technical architecture and security standards for supportable modern systems. 

The Sub-Committee may choose to conduct its business within three working groups:

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Connectivity and Policies

Membership

Members may be nominated by anyone, but the IT Steering Committee approves all initial members and subsequent membership changes.

Members are expected to represent the best interest of the entire institution and not just their own unit. However, members are also expected to communicate the activities and decisions of the sub-committee back to their own unit and bring unit concerns back to the sub-committee.

Members will serve three-year terms, with membership terms staggered in equal measure throughout the sub-committee. All members may serve consecutive terms.

Area Name Title
Academic Affairs Dan Hyde IT Technical Support Coordinator, College of Education
Facilities Management Rick Schwantes IT Technical Associate
Human Resource Services
Division of Information Technology (non-voting) Susie Armbrust Information Security Analyst
Dale Thurman Manager, Classroom/Media Support
Al Crowley, Chair Director, Desktop/Media Support
Fred Williams Senior Director, IT Operations
  Infrastructure Applications
Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development Technical and Site Coordinator
University Libraries Joe Thomas IT Technical Associate

Chair

The chair will be responsible for:

  1. Calling all meetings;
  2. Setting meeting agendas;
  3. Collecting sub-agendas from functional leads;
  4. Presiding at all meetings;
  5. Ensuring that minutes are compiled for each meeting;
  6. Finalizing minutes before distribution;
  7. Enforcing committee procedures;
  8. Preparing information for presentation to the ITSC; and
  9. Presenting Sub-Committee recommendations and reports to the ITSC.

Meetings

The Sub-Committee should schedule meetings on a monthly basis (or as determined by the Chair) to:

  1. Review the activities and recommendations of its working groups;
  2. Develop recommendations for resources and business cases to be routed to the ITSC.

All members of the Sub-Committee are expected to attend and participate in each meeting. If a member is unable to attend, a substitute should be authorized to attend and vote on behalf of the official committee member.

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