New KU Group Will Optimize Data and Technology Sources, Systems and Tools

Dear Colleague,

Heading into the fall semester, KU leaders will form the Enterprise Systems Leadership group, a new committee charged with operationalizing more effective data and IT governance across our Lawrence and Edwards campuses.

The Enterprise Systems Leadership group is charged by KU's executive leaders to provide collective oversight and direction for:

• Data management and enterprise analytics
• Digital security and access
• Technology systems and software

This group will be co-chaired by the Chief Data Officer and Chief Information Officer, and will include leaders across campus who have responsibility for data systems at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. An ex officio member from KU Medical Center will also be included to ensure collaboration around best practices on both campuses.

Why It Matters

The Enterprise Systems Leadership group will ensure stewardship of data assets and technological resources at KU by building more robust data and technological infrastructure, implementing more effective and efficient processes, and by reducing duplicate systems and technologies.

This work will benefit KU in several ways:

• Enhanced cybersecurity to protect against data breaches
• A more consistent user experience specific to technology and data for all campus constituents
• Improved data accuracy and literacy
• Greater clarity of roles, responsibilities and expectations for employees fulfilling technical and functional roles related to technologies and data
• A more modernized data infrastructure that is prepared for analytical innovations, such as artificial intelligence

What Does it Mean for You?

Each of us uses technologies, data and information in our daily activities and to inform our strategic decisions. Through effective and efficient administration of data and technology assets at KU, we are advancing KU’s vision to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each member and advances society while also being the best stewards of KU resources.

You will be able to learn more and track activity via a website to be launched this fall. This website will include:

• Group membership and charge
• How to submit data or technological concerns
• Transparency on what concerns have been submitted and what action is being taken
• Efforts we are taking to ensure data quality and accuracy
• Product guide of what enterprise analytical resources are currently available for your use, and what additional analytical resources have been prioritized for production

As we begin this work, we look forward to hearing from you and working with you as a user of data and technology. We are excited about this effort and the improvements it will bring to the user experience at KU.

Please share your questions or feedback with Corinne Bannon at corinne-bannon@ku.edu and Ed Hudson at edhudson@ku.edu.

Thank you for all you do for KU.

Respectfully,

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor

Corinne Bannon

Vice Provost & Chief Data Officer, Analytics, Institutional Research, & Effectiveness

Ed Hudson

Interim Chief Information Officer, KU Information Technology