IT Partnership Support

The Information Technology Support Partnership Program is a collective support program; it is an alliance between University Information Technology Services and individual units (departments, schools, etc.) on campus. This program provides improved user support through coordinated efforts and resource sharing. Providing service to the distributed user community requires a combination of on-site staff from UA units with ready access to the expertise of University Information Technology Services staff.

Participating departments designate a staff member (or more) as an Information Technology Support Coordinator (ITSC). These coordinators act as the frontline computer support contact within the department and work closely with University IT Services support specialists. University IT Services provides training for the departmental staff coordinators to enable them to answer many of the departments' fundamental computer support questions including how to set up an email account, change a password, download files from the Internet, configure settings on software, etc.

If coordinators are unable or unavailable, University IT Services provides backup support. The department coordinators and University IT Services representatives will collaborate to meet users’ support needs. This collective, responsible relationship ensures effective distribution of information technology to campus IT support staff.

What are the benefits of the IT Partnership Program?

• Departments and University Information Technology Services develop standards for IT resources to facilitate interoperability, minimize complexity, and streamline delivery of support services.
• Online subscription to Techtalk, a listserv for information technology support staff designed to foster communication and collective responsibility for computer support, standards, information, and troubleshooting at the University of Arkansas.
• Information on late breaking news, open dialog, and troubleshooting support is shared by all support staff.
• Participation in the decision making process is ensured for individual departments because departmental coordinators can participate in testing, evaluating, and implementing processes for products and services.
• Departments have access to University Information Technology Services training resources that are developed in-house, such as Internet navigation, email, Web page development, and word processing courses that are scheduled at varying times throughout the month, as well as a video based training library available for checkout.
• World Wide Web server space, development tools, and training sessions are available.
• Ongoing training includes on-site customized training sessions, as well as University IT Services’ monthly Peer-to-Peer Information Technology Training Seminars.