UW Computing Directors

About

Statement of Purpose

The UW Computing Directors Group serves as a forum for the communication of strategic information technology issues, with the goal of improving the use of technology in teaching, learning, research and service across the university.

The group:

  • Provides a forum for discussion of strategic IT issues at the University of Washington;
  • Represents the IT needs of UW schools, colleges, and other academic units;
  • Identifies and proposes solutions to common unit-level IT challenges;
  • Influences and helps develop UW Information Technology and UW-wide IT strategic priorities.

Expectations for Participation 

In order to achieve the goals outlined in the UW Computing Directors Group Statement of Purpose, members are expected to actively participate in the Group’s projects, programs and activities. Examples of participation include:

  • Preparing for and attending UW Computing Directors meetings
  • Assisting with logistical support for UW Computing Directors meetings
  • Volunteering for subcommittees or task groups
  • Assisting with program development and/or mentorship of one of more Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Officers

The current structure is for two co-chairs that alternate in the role of Chair and Facilitator.

Chair(s)

  • is the principal contact and spokesperson for the Computing Director’s group;
  • in consultation with the Group, identifies, solicits, assigns, and/or designates resources required to accomplish the Group’s mission and objectives;
  • appoints sub-committee chairs and working group leaders;
    may convene special meetings as needed;
  • in the absence of a facilitator, or at specially-convened meetings, presides over meetings of the Group or appoints a meeting facilitator.

Facilitator(s)

  • in consultation with the Group, develops the agenda for a Group meeting and communicates the agenda to Group members at least 3 days before the scheduled meeting and posts the agenda on the website;
  • obtains an appropriate location for a Group meeting;
  • presides over a Group meeting and facilitates discussion;
  • sends monthly meeting notices to the Computing Directors, and the Board of Deans and Chancellors;
  • assists in collecting and coordinating agenda items.

Secretary

  • takes minutes at a Group meeting and posts them to the website;
  • maintains various Computing Directors Group resources like the website, mailing lists, cloud storage, etc.

Membership Guidelines

The foundation of the Directors Group is made up of designated representatives from each of the colleges and schools that comprise the academic/research units which are enumerated by the Board of Deans and Chancellors (https://www.washington.edu/provost/board-of-deans-and-chancellors/). These members comprise a group of individuals who speak for the needs and interests of their sending units to the Computer Directors Group and the larger technology community at the University of Washington.

Adding New Voting Members

Extending this foundation to include more than these designated representatives enables the Directors Group to increase its leadership diversity. If the primary unit representation is already filled, additional potential members may request admission to the group. Applicants must attend and participate in meetings as a non-voting member for a minimum of three sessions before their application will be reviewed. Approval by a majority of the voting membership using the Voting Process is required to admit a new member.

Individuals who are voting members of the group at the time these guidelines are approved shall be grandfathered in, independent of their path to membership.

There are two paths for becoming a member:

Path 1

  • Individuals who report to a member of the UW Board of Deans and Chancellors; and
  • hold a high information technology leadership position in their unit; and
    are empowered to make decisions about their unit’s strategic IT directions and represent their unit’s IT needs; and
  • have a letter of support from a Dean, Chair, Administrator, or another person of high rank within that individual’s unit; are members.

Path 2

  • Individuals may apply for membership.
  • Applicants must attend and participate in meetings as a non-voting member for a minimum of three sessions before their application will be reviewed.
  • Applicants will be evaluated on factors such as:
    • A letter of support from a Dean, Chair, Administrator, or another person of high rank within that individual’s unit;
    • The size of the unit represented (number of staff, faculty, and students);
    • The size and complexity of the IT infrastructure present within that unit (number of machines, applications, services provided to users etc.);
    • A job title that reflects a high level of responsibility in the unit (for example “Computing Director”, “CIO”, “CTO”, “IT Director” or similar);
    • Quality of participation with the group prior to application submission.

Approval by a majority of the voting membership is required to admit a new member.

Membership guidelines will be reviewed annually.