UBC Reports | Vol. 47 | No. 17 | November 1 , 2001

Web tools aimed at easing tasks

Goal to streamline procedures so faculty can focus on teaching, research

UBC faculty and staff will be able to access a wide range of Web-based administrative tools via an e-business portal by April next year.

The initiative is a key component in an e-business plan designed to simplify administrative procedures so that faculty can spend more time on teaching and research and staff can devote more time to direct assistance and support, says Ted Dodds, associate vice-president, Information Technology.

The service, to be developed by UBC's ITServices, will include tools for tasks ranging from reconciling travel expenses to applying for research grants.

"We're currently working on the scope of services that are to be deployed," says Dodds.

Developing more personally-oriented student and faculty Web services to improve the learning environment is among the strategies outlined in Trek 2000, the university's vision document.

A portal called MyUBC was launched in September to provide students with access to registration information, academic records, course information, schedules, and e-mail accounts. The portal project's technological challenges are not necessarily the biggest ones, says Dodds.

"The single biggest issue is getting everyone involved and committed to changing the way they do business," he says.

Development follows an extensive series of meetings and focus groups with representatives from across campus. The first town hall meeting was held in June. Another is planned for January.

To date, more than 250 faculty and staff, including, deans, vice-presidents and department heads have helped develop a draft vision document for administration at UBC.

A working committee of the managers of the university's key administrative systems has exchanged information and ideas on how departments can work together to ensure that administrative systems and processes deliver the best value and service.

A draft document that outlines the guiding principles for UBC's e-business plan is available at www.e-strategy.ubc.ca.

Comments or questions are welcome and can be e-mailed to Emma MacEntee at emma@exchange.ubc.ca.