Missouri State University

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System Operations Manual 

Information Services

The Missouri State Information Technology Council (IT Council) was created by the University’s Administrative Council to be responsible for planning, coordinating and reviewing major strategic information technology initiatives for the Missouri State System. As a System-level entity, the IT Council is responsible for reviewing and approving selected technology purchases proposed by the West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses. Specifically, large-scale technology purchases and technology purchases that impact multiple System units require IT Council approval. The Missouri State Information Technology Council Operating Model can be linked at http://www.missouristate.edu/itcouncil/operating.htm.

  1. NETWORK ADMINISTRATION

    Network Administration--West Plains and Mountain Grove Campus responsibilities.

    • West Plains data, voice, and video networks will be maintained by West Plains personnel who will consult with the Springfield Campus on problems or concerns. Springfield and Mountain Grove's data, voice, and video networks will be administered by Springfield Campus personnel.

    • West Plains user training will be conducted by West Plains Campus user support staff. The Missouri State System will make all lesson plans and training literature available to West Plains. Mountain Grove users will be trained by both Springfield and West Plains personnel as needed.

    • Network Security--West Plains and Springfield network personnel will jointly select a West Plains network security system. The West Plains Campus will install the elected network security system. The Missouri State-Springfield network personnel will provide technical expertise as needed. Mountain Grove will be served by Springfield data networks and the security available therein.

    • Wiring--The Springfield Campus will contract for voice and data network wiring on all Missouri State campuses. The Springfield Campus will establish and maintain University wiring service contracts. The West Plains Campus contracts for video services separately. All campuses will adhere to established wiring standards.

    • Planning--All major alterations planned for the West Plains network infrastructure will be presented to the Information Technology Council for review prior to  implementation. The ITCouncil will review and, if approved, incorporate plans and initiatives into the Strategic IT Plan during its annual review. West Plains and Springfield technical personnel will participate in annual and ad hoc joint planning meetings.

    Network Policies, Procedures, and Standards--Shared responsibility.

    • Network Policies--The West Plains Campus will provide user requirement input to the Missouri State System network policies. The Missouri State System, through the Information Technology (IT) Council, will adopt and implement system-wide policies. Policies will be reviewed as needed by the IT Council. 

    • Procedures and Protocols--The West Plains Campus will provide user requirement input to the development of Missouri State System network procedures and protocols. The Missouri State System, through the IT Council, will adopt and implement system-wide network procedures. Procedures will be reviewed and modified as needed by the IT Council.

    • Standards--The West Plains Campus will provide input into the development of network standards. The Missouri State System, through the IT Council, will adopt and implement system-wide standards. The IT Council will review standards annually or as needed.

  2. DISTANCE LEARNING

    Classroom Modification-Shared responsibility. Any construction of or modification to any interactive video classroom requires coordination with, and approval of, the IT Council. Costs of such construction or modification will typically be paid for by the campus receiving the new equipment, renovation, or facility.

    Network Expansion ("SubNets")--Shared responsibility. The Springfield Campus is responsible for the technical design of any expansions to the BearNet Interactive Video System, including any subnetwork expansions connected to the West Plains Campus hub site. Due to important technical implications for the BearNet System, Springfield Campus technicians must be consulted regarding any expansion plans to ensure a mutually beneficial solution.

    The West Plains Campus is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the ITV systems in West Plains which are part of BearNet. This includes network systems and classroom installations. The West Plains Campus will be responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of any subnet which is subsequently developed and where West Plains or Mountain Grove becomes a hub site. All modifications to West Plains’ BearNet network systems, associated subnets, and related classroom installations remain a shared responsibility between the West Plains and Springfield Campuses.

    (See the Distance Learning and Media-Based Instruction section of the Provost chapter for additional responsibilities for distance learning.)

  3. COMPUTING

    Technology Needs Assessment, Technology Request, Technology Needs Integration, and Technology Purchases--Shared Responsibility

    • Needs Assessment--The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will conduct their own needs assessments annually.These assessments will be submitted annually to the IT Council for review and inclusion into the System strategic plan.

    • Technology Requests--The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will analyze their assessment results and determine the software, hardware, and systems required. Large-scale requests or requests which impact multiple University units will be presented to the IT Council on the Missouri State Information Technology Proposal form for coordination and approval.

    • Technology Needs Integration--The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will integrate their technology needs into their respective campus strategic plans. The IT Council will integrate these needs into the overall Missouri State System Strategic IT Plan. The review of strategic plans will occur annually.

    • Technology Purchases--The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will initiate computer purchases using the Missouri State UBUY system. Large-scale technology purchases or purchases of technologies which will impact multiple System units require prior approval by the IT Council. Buyers at the Springfield Campus will purchase the requested items according to University policies. If required, the completed Missouri State Information Technology Proposal Form will be filed in Financial Services as a part of the purchasing record.  For the West Plains Campus, purchases of computer peripherals under $750 should occur using a Banner requisition or purchase order.  For the Mountain Grove Campus, purchase of computer peripherals under $999 can be iniated by use of a procurement card.  Site licenses for any software used at the West Plains Campus will be obtained by West Plains Computer Services. The Springfield Purchasing Office will provide assistance to the West Plains Campus as needed and will procure all software items per established procurement procedures.

    Computer Equipment Installation--West Plains and Mountain Grove Campus responsibilities.

    The West Plains Campus and Mountain Grove Campus (with Springfield and West Plains assistance) will receive, inventory, and install all computer equipment and Software. West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will conduct annual inventories and ensure that only legal (documented) software is used.

    Preventive Maintenance Repairs--West Plains Campus responsibility. The West Plains Campus will conduct all preventive maintenance and "local" repairs. For more extensive repairs, West Plains will secure a third party vendor for either warranty or other repairs. The Springfield Campus will provide repair services to the Mountain Grove Campus.

    Hardware and Software Standards--Shared responsibility. The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will provide input into the development of Missouri State System standards for hardware, software, and systems. The Missouri State System, through the IT Council, will establish System-wide standards. The standards will be reviewed annually or as necessary.

    Administrative Applications - West Plains Campus responsibility. As appropriate, selected Springfield administrative computer application systems will be used by the West Plains Campus. The West Plains Campus will be responsible for the selection, purchase, installation, configuration, testing, and implementation of any "local" administrative applications deemed appropriate and necessary. The Springfield Campus will provide advice and expertise as required. The IT Council will have final determination as to administrative system responsibilities.

    Administrative Applications - Mountain Grove Campus responsibility. The Mountain Grove Campus will use the Springfield Campus' administrative computer application systems.

    Desktop Computer System User Support - West Plains Campus responsibility. The West Plains Campus will provide the primary desktop computer system support services to the West Plains and Mountain Grove Campus users. The Springfield Campus will provide backup support to the Mountain Grove Campus users as necessary.

    World Wide Web Policies--Shared responsibility. The West Plains Campus will provide input into the development of Missouri State World Wide Web (Web) policies. The Missouri State System, through the IT Council, will establish and implement System-wide policies.

    World Wide Web Pages--West Plains and Mountain Grove Campus responsibilities. The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will develop, maintain, and post their own Web pages for use on the Missouri State System’s network.

    Assistive Technology-West Plains and Mountain Grove Campus responsibilities. The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will provide assistive technology to their disabled students, faculty, and staff as appropriate. The Assistive Technology Support Specialist on the Springfield Campus will provide advice and assistance as needed.

  4. POSTAL SERVICES

    U.S. Mail - West Plains and Mountain Grove responsibilities. The Springfield, West Plains, and Mountain Grove Campuses will each be responsible for processing their own incoming and outgoing U.S. mail.

    Campus Mail - West Plains and Mountain Grove responsibilities. The Springfield, West Plains, and Mountain Grove Campuses will each be responsible for processing their own incoming and outgoing campus mail.

  5. PRINTING SERVICES

    Printing Services - Shared responsibility. The Springfield, West Plains, and Mountain Grove Campuses will each follow the Purchasing Policies and Procedures Manual guidelines when acquiring printing services. The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses may use the central printing services when it is to their advantage.

    Policies, Procedures, and Standards-Shared responsibility. The Springfield, West Plains, and Mountain Grove Campuses will each provide input to the development of systemwide printing policies, procedures, and standards.

  6. TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

    Contract Services- Shared responsibility. The Springfield Campus will contract for voice network services, including outbound long distance, calling card, one-plus long distance, inbound long distance, operator services, and switched digital data. West Plains and Mountain Grove will provide input regarding service needs and can participate in the contracts established by the Springfield Campus. The Springfield, West Plains, and Mountain Grove Campuses will each be responsible for contracting commercial wireless voice service and other wireless services.

    Equipment Purchases-Shared responsibility. The West Plains Campus will be responsible for acquiring voice equipment for single-line installations. Large-scale acquisitions (including multi-line or instrument installations) will be coordinated with the IT Council to ensure compatibility and integration with the Springfield Campus systems. The Springfield Campus will purchase the equipment for the Mountain Grove Campus.

    Local Telephone Services - Shared responsibility. The Springfield Campus will contract for local telephone service. The West Plains and Mountain Grove Campuses will each be responsible for providing input regarding the appropriate number of trunks/lines for campus voice service.