Information Technology Restructure
This webpage is updated regularly and the information posted here is subject to change. Last updated - Mar 3, 2025
Information technology plays an important role in helping the University accomplish its teaching, research and outreach mission. As part of the University’s financial action plan, UITS has centralized information technology across the institution to mitigate cybersecurity risks, create operational efficiencies, and standardize processes and procedures.
IT leadership has completed a discovery and planning process to restructure the university’s IT services and staff to meet the growing needs of the campus community. For the latest details on the IT restructure process, visit the IT Restructure Organizational Design webpage.
Latest Updates
- March 3, 2025: Presentation to Faculty Senate
- February 21, 2025: IT Restructure Advisory Council Meeting
- February 20, 2025: CIO Open Forum
- February 7, 2025: IT Centralization Update to all faculty and staff
- January 9, 2025: CIO Division All Hands Meeting
- January 3, 2025: President Garimella’s Announcement of Interim CIO
- November 26, 2024: Barry Brummund's Retirement Announcement
- November 4 – 8, 2024: IT Leadership 1n1 Meetings with IT Staff
- October 28 - November 1, 2024: IT Leadership One-on-one Meetings with IT Supervisors
- October 24, 2024: IT Restructure Update email to all CIO division staff
- October 24, 2024: IT Restructure Update email to senior leadership
- October 16, 2024: CIO Division All Hands (access limited to UITS staff)
View all Updates
Phased Approach
The first phase of the centralization process focused on aligning information technology job families within the central UITS division. Future phases will focus on further developing and implementing a more collaborative and effective centralized operating model.
This new IT Restructure model will be based on the following principles:
- Providing a more consistent experience University-wide.
- Improving information security practices in accordance with the Arizona Auditor General IT Security Performance Audit.
- Enhancing collaboration and knowledge-sharing among teams.
- Strengthening core IT infrastructure, services and processes.
- Pivoting faster to leverage new technology and automation.
- Optimizing University investments, including streamlining decision-making for procurement of software and hardware.
- Creating new career pathways and opportunities for professional growth.
To facilitate the transition and minimize disruption, UITS has established a phased approach for IT restructure. We are committed to maintaining service continuity for our students and colleagues across campus throughout this process.
Phase 1: Align (March 4, 2024) COMPLETED
- Centralized the University's information technology function and reporting lines. Employees who report to a new home department in UITS will continue to have the same responsibilities for their current college or division.
- Initial IT Position Remapping Process to continue by HR through June 20, 2024 Read more about Remapping.
Phase 2: Discovery and Transition (March 2024 – June 2025)
- Continue to assess and review IT practices, processes, procedures, resources, systems, job duties and role assignments within colleges/divisions and centrally within UITS.
- Use operational assessment to further develop a centralized IT model.
- Transition locally managed IT infrastructure in colleges and divisions to UITS based on risk assessment.
Phase 3: Refine and Operationalize (January 2025 – June 2025)
- Finalize central IT operational model and service teams.
- Continue to iterate and refine as needed.
Current State:
- Inconsistent processes and procedures
- Inconsistent oversight of IT processes
- Gaps in IT professional service coverage University-wide
Disadvantages:
- Higher exposure to data loss and cybersecurity risk
- Errors and rework
- Longer IT support times
- Incongruent job responsibilities and increased workload
- Limited accountability for IT security processes
- Unclear career paths for IT professionals
Future State:
- Dedicated IT support teams
- Consistent IT support and services University-wide
- Streamlined and consistent IT processes and procedures
- Accountability across all IT functions
Advantages:
- Lower risk of data loss and cyber infiltration
- Increased efficiencies in IT procurement and processes
- Improved IT support/troubleshooting
- Continuity of IT operations and services
- Clear career paths for IT professionals